Ilkeliani Camp

The main areas are scattered over multiple levels and include several places from which to enjoy the river views over a meal off the superb menu. The lounge, furnished in a comfortable, unfussy style, is a fine place to linger; choose your own cosy corner, or head to the dining room's long tables for a convivial gathering, after which a chat around the fire is obligatory. Whether it's the river, bar or sundowner deck, you'll have the perfect perch to watch a never-ending parade of elephant, buffalo, baboon and other passersby.

Twelve tents are strung out on wooden decks along the river, promising striking views into the Masai Mara and the utmost privacy. They tents are spacious and immaculately designed with plenty of foldaway flaps for excellent airflow. Out front is a furnished deck with sun loungers for between-activity game viewing or siesta-ing. Inside, a double bed is made up with quality linens and surrounded by mosquito netting. Running the length of the tent, you'll find an en-suite bathroom, which consists of a flush toilet and solar-heated shower.

Game drives will likely yield the best up-close encounters with wildlife, although guided walks in select areas add another rewarding dimension and emphasise the small-in-size (plants and insects and birds) that deserve closer examination. A hot-air balloon ride offers an extraordinarily privileged view of the landscape and the action. Of course, the Great Migration is the big draw here, meaning not only herds of herbivores, but the predators that follow them: lion and leopard, cheetah and hyena. Untold action awaits...