Bushtops - Maasai Mara :: Holiday Destinations

ABOUT BUSHTOPS :

Bushtops is situated in a private valley just outside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in a 200,000 acre concession area, used solely by Bushtops and one other small lodge.

The homestead overlooks a natural salt lick and spring watering hole, and attracts a variety of animals, including Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, and numerous plains game.

"Mara" means ‘spotted’ and you’ll see why when you get there. Here clumps of dark colored bush are spotted across the pail grassy plains. The Maasai Mara region is renowned for its game, which is both fantastic in numbers and variety. Over 1.5 million Wildebeest and Zebra, 70,000 Buffalo, and 3,000 Lion and other predators roam this vast wilderness.

Bushtops was built in 1987 as a private "home away from home" by the Cottars, a family that have lived in Kenya for almost a century. The cottage has since been converted into a homestead for clients and is used primarily by Glen Cottars Safaris, a luxury safari company, which was established over 80 years ago. The rustic homestead is extremely comfy and homely, and has a very natural feeling about it.

ACCOMMODATION :

Bushtops is a very simple and intriguing place, and consists of:

One cottage, separate from the main house, with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom.
3 rooms are within the main building - all have en suite bathrooms.
A tent, with twin beds and a bathroom attached. Bushtops can accommodate up to 9 people.
Dining and sitting area and verandah as part of main building.
Open campfire in the evenings.

Bushtops is the only private house in the Mara, and was home to the Cottar Family for years. The interior is warmly decorated, and it accommodates up to ten guests comfortably. It is perfect for those seeking to get away from large crowds. The bedrooms are cosy and comfortable with full bathrooms en suite. A new house has also been built within the same valley, and by the end of 2001, will be fully refurbished. Guests will then have the choice in 'Ole Cottars' house (The Cottars Home) or the new house.

ACTIVITIES :

Activities Include:

Professionally guided game drives in 4 wheel drive vehicles, with roof hatches, exploring the Maasai Mara National Park and the private concession. The drives are tailored to follow the movements of the game, but to avoid the hordes of minibuses.

Night game drives in the concession area to see some of Kenya’s nocturnal animals such as the Porcupine, Genet Cat, Spring Hare, Aardvark and Leopard!

Walks within the concession, to see the birds, insects and animals

Picnics and sundowners in special private spots in the bush.

Visits to the local Maasai Manyattas (villages) for cultural interaction.

Peter and Louise Behr host Bushtops. Peter was the youngest fully licensed professional hunter when it closed in 1977, and is an experienced and highly informative guide, with an incomparable knowledge of this area.

Bushtops is extremely private, even though it is just outside Kenya’s most visited game reserve, the attraction being the enormous game population. The hosts and staff, the service, and the food are excellent. There is no better place to start your safari.

ATTRACTIONS :

The Bushtops area has always been known for its abundance of lion, and most nights the valley echoes with the vibrations of the king's call. The valley is full of game and ideal for walking and exploring by foot or by car. Guests will be in the company of leopards, elephant, plains game and of a nighttime within the sight and sounds of roaring lions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :

Ideal for families, couples and anyone who wants a home in the bush, Bushtops has an intimate atmosphere and the friendliest staff in the Masai Mara. Reminiscent of a rustic hunting lodge, it is quaint, informal and relaxed. Bushtops is situated by a natural salt lick-spring in its own private valley. Abundant game continuously visits the salt lick, offering visitors an ever-changing view of African wildlife without ever leaving the Bush Tops verandah.

CHILDREN POLICY

Children welcome under parents supervision.