The Tembo by Jackson Collection Bush Camp, Kenya

About This Property

Tembo by Jackson Collection is a small, authentic luxury bush camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, created by Jackson Naurori, a Maasai guide, tracker and wildlife photographer. The camp was established in 2018 and is 100% Maasai-owned, with a strong emphasis on conservation, community involvement and responsible tourism.

The location is a major strength. Tembo Bush Camp sits in a shaded riverine area within the National Reserve, surrounded by vegetation and wildlife. Elephants, giraffes, hippos and plains game are regularly found around the area, while the surrounding Mara is particularly strong for big cats and other predators. The camp is also well positioned for the Great Migration, with some of the major migration areas only a short drive away.

The camp has 10 spacious canvas tents, deliberately well spaced for privacy. Accommodation is available in standard tents, accessible tents and small and large family tents. Standard tents can be configured with either a king-size bed or twin beds, with an additional bed where required. Each has an en-suite bathroom with a hot shower.

The atmosphere is much more traditional safari and wilderness-focused than contemporary luxury. It is designed around the experience of being in the Mara rather than having extensive resort facilities. There is a main lounge and dining area where guests can relax between drives, enjoy drinks and socialism around the campfire.

Safari is really the heart of the experience. Guests normally have two game drives a day, with early-morning and afternoon departures, although full-day safaris can also be arranged. Their custom-built 4x4 safari vehicles can be privately reserved, which is particularly appealing for photographers or guests who want more flexibility.

The camp also offers full-day photographic safaris, bush breakfasts, bush dinners, sun downers, campfire evenings and Maasai cultural experiences. Hot-air ballooning can be arranged as an additional experience.

An important distinction is that Tembo Bush Camp is inside the National Reserve, whereas the collection's sister property, Tembo Spirit Camp, is in the private Lemek Conservancy. The latter offers night drives, walking safaris, a swimming pool and spa.

The published rate inclusions currently include full-board accommodation, three meals per night, purified water, a welcome drink, laundry, Mara airstrip transfers and game drives in the camp's custom 4x4 vehicles, plus a selected sun downer drink. Park/community fees, premium drinks and activities such as ballooning are additional.

For a genuine, intimate Maasai Mara safari, Tembo Bush Camp is very appealing. Its biggest advantages are its excellent location inside the reserve, small size, strong guiding heritage, photography focus and authentic atmosphere. It feels more like a proper bush camp than a luxury resort.

Compared with the Amboseli properties you've been looking at, this is a different destination and experience altogether. If you're building a Kenya itinerary, I'd consider Tembo particularly strong for the Maasai Mara section, especially if wildlife and guiding are more important to you than having a large swimming pool, spa or extensive lodge facilities.