Uncharted Outposts

Seven Spacious Twin Tents and a Family Tent

Accomodations are in seven spacious double/twin tents, and one family tent - all are ensuite with flush loos and safari shower. An inverter is available to charge video camera batteries 24/7. The safari chefs produce appetising 'farmhouse' meals, which utilise skillful blends of flavours and cuisine from both East and West. Special dietary requirements are catered for.

Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

June - October; December - March

The best months for travelling to Kenya are June through the end of October and then December through the end of March. If you are wanting to see the Great Migration then I suggest the months of July, August and September, these are also the busiest times along with the Christmas holidays as this is when school holidays fall. If you prefer to travel when the game is still superb but it is not so busy then I recommend the following months, June, September, October, November, February, March, April and May!

Wildlife Viewing and Bird Watching On Foot with Experienced Guides or in Custom Built 4-Wheel Drive Toyota Land Cruisers, Discover Mara with the Masai and Ildorobo Professional Guides that Live Around the Mara and Have a Unique Knowledge of the Area & Bush Picnics and Sundowners.

Wildlife viewing at Rekero is either on foot guided by experienced Il Dorobo and Masai trackers, or in custom built four wheel drives, which allow intimate yet unobtrusive access to the animals. Bush picnics sundowners and visits to the local trading centers also feature. Cultural visits to the local Masai and Il Dorobo communities, with whom the Beatons have a close association together with an insight into bushcraft, make a visit to Rekero a unique experience. Lake Victoria is only a 45 minute flight away and makes and interesting day trip if time allows.

Local Info

The Masai Mara is also home to one of the great fighting tribes of Africa, the Masai whose culture is both fascinating and truly unique. Perhaps the greatest part of what makes the Rekero experience so special is the interaction and mix of cultures that the guides and the local Masai share so readily with their guests. A cultural visit to the local Masai and Il Dorobo communities, with whom the Beatons have a close association, together with an insight into bushcraft, is a truly humbling experience.

Owners & Hosts

The Beaton family arrived in Africa in 1889, pioneering Kenya's conservation movement in 1946. The conservation tradition continues today at Rekero where we offer old time hospitality and a unique insight into the Masai Mara's wildlife, cultures, flora and fauna. Captain Duncan Beaton (1864-1943) was a well known and familiar figure in the life of Kenya. From the Isle of Skye on the West Coast of Scotland, he first arrived in Africa in 1889 as an agent for the African Lakes Corporation, a company formed to carry on the work of Livingstone in the suppression of the slave trade and the opening up of the commerce of Central Africa.

Gerard Beaton now leads Rekero's management with his wife Rainee, a wildlife artist. Gerard grew up in the Mara and has known Jackson most of his life. After reading Geography and Anthropology at Newcastle University he spent three months driving across Africa in 1995. This trip took him through nineteen countries and was enough for him to realise what a true paradise the Masai Mara is. Gerard is a commercial pilot and enjoys flying around Kenya. While overseeing the daily operations and logistics of Rekero, he still very much enjoys guiding and being out in the field. Gerard and Rainee both share a passion for travel and between them have travelled to 35 different countries so far, after a brief break for children they hope to tackle the rest of Southern Africa.

Rainee Beaton was born and schooled in Kenya up to the age of sixteen and then went to boarding school in England. Rainee's art has always been her great passion after going to Art college for three years, specializing in Natural History Illustration. With Africa in her blood she returned to Kenya to visit her father for Christmas in 1993 and never left. Rainee's art then developed from birds in watercolour to big game and landscape in oil and over the last ten years has had several successful exhibitions in Kenya and the United States. Gerard and Rainee married in 2003 and have two sons, Charlie and Sam.

Rob Stowers - Originally from Yorkshire, Rob studied at The University of Newcastle upon Tyne where he obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology. After 10 years in Northumbria Police Rob joined the management team at Rekero in June 2006. He is a keen photographer and has a real passion for the wildlife - fuelled by many visits to Kenya since he first came to the country in 1993.

Jackson was born in the Maasai Mara sometime in 1967 and went to school in the Mara. I joined Rekero 1985 as an askari when Ron and Pauline were farming at Olaingabori. Then Ron and Pauline started Tourism in 1987 and I was taken in as a junior tracker after following my late Papa who was the chief tracker. I then progressed to be the first Maasai guide in the Mara after Ron and Pauline identified my talent for guiding. Then they sent me to South Africa for a guiding course. I then guided for 15 years. Our former leader Ron kindly offered us company shares in 1996 with Gerard and then we became business partners and are now the leaders of Rekero camp Ltd and a few other operations i.e. rekero community conservation trust among others. My main talent is guiding and it will always be guiding for the rest of my life, I believe strongly in passing knowledge on to others. I am interested in stars and I have tought myself what I know so far, with the help of some kind guests who gave me an astronomy book and telescope. I am married to Ann and we are blessed with Four children all working hard at school in Narok and in Nakuru. They may have an interest in tourism but we can never predict; we just hope like any other parent.

Salaash Morompi - I joined Rekero Camp in May 2004 as a Mess Waiter, having previously worked in the same capacity at two other establishments in The Mara. I got married in 2000 and at the moment I am a proud father to 5 children. My 1st born daughter is 6 years old, a set of twin boys aged 3 yrs and another set of twins (boy and girl) aged 3 months. Not only am I a guide but a leader as well. As a guide and leader I get a lot of professional satisfaction and enjoyment when people finally appreciate the rich beauty of nature and that in a lot of circumstances I have introduced them to it. The abundance of wildlife makes me like The Mara a great deal and I hope that in my position as a guide I'll be able to help the people to appreciate nature and perpetuate conservation. I believe that one of my strengths at work are my social skills, at least that's what I've been led to believe! It is my hope and wish that more Maasai kids are given a chance in guiding.

Guest Reviews

"The best bush camp in Africa." - Brian Jackman

"The peace and beauty of your camp will remain in our hearts forever."
- Alan and Leslie Layton

"The place and the wonderful people have touched our hearts and lives forever."
- Raville Family

"For once, lost for words, totally in love with the Mara and Rekero."
- Laura Bailey

"Our Expectations were greatly exceeded." - John and Johanna Stutsman

"Absolutely gorgeous campsite! Loved falling asleep to the hippo and lions' voices." - Charlie and Angie Hedgecoth

"Experience of a lifetime. Beautiful location, great food and best of all wonderful people." - Eric and Tilly Beinhocker

"You welcomed me like family and I felt I had come home."
- Carol Herndon

Press & Media

The Independent, April 2006
On Safari in Kenya
Safaris, thankfully, are no longer the glorified turkey-shoots they once were, but John Walsh finds plenty of blood and gore in Kenya as he goes out and about with the Masai

Track Down the Top Safari Guides in Africa
Brian Jackman, Sunday Times correspondent in khaki, picks the best of the wild bunch (February 2006)

The Times, Saturday January 24, 2004

On Safari with the Experts
Brian Jackman gets to know a new generation of Masai guides

Harpers & Queen

Harpers Abroad

The Ultimate Travel Guide

The 150 Greatest Escapes in the World

Eco Warriors. November 2003, Pg. 20

British Airways

Highlife In Flight Magazine, December 2003.

A Boy in the Bush

Sorrel Downer and Son Get Close to Nature in Kenya

The Sunday Telegraph

Weekend to Remember

Hoofs & Horns (Australia)

The Cream of Town and Country Living

Safari in Style by Paul Myers

ChristianFraser, BBC, Nairobi