Tortilis Camp Amboseli | Amboseli National Park One Of Kenya’s Best Safari Lodges

Wow, what a location! To the south, Mount Kilimanjaro majestically rises from vast, acacia-dotted plains. To my northwest is Lake Amboseli, all but dry at this time of year. Then across the life-giving Sinet Swamp to my northeast is Amboseli National Park, famed as the location for intensive elephant research that identified behaviour, such as friendships and family ties. Running between the park and the mountain is the Kitendeni Corridor, along which elephant migrate between Kenya and Tanzania, much like the better known Great Wildebeest Migration. Where am I? I’m at Tortilis Camp Amboseli, one of Kenyan’s best safari lodges, just outside of the national park in the 12,000ha Kitirua Conservancy.

I’ve fallen in love with my room at Tortilis Camp Amboseli, named after the tortilis acacia trees that shade the camp in their umbrella-like way. It’s one of 16 tented suites set under a thatched roof and over hardwood floors, with a wide verandah facing Kilimanjaro – the highest peak on the African continent. Yani, our hostess, tells us this thatch is called makuti, and that it’s sustainably made from sun-dried coconut-palm leaves. Light pours in through the windows in the canvas walls; I’ll happily be able to write in my journal at the desk. At night, there’s solar lighting, which reminds you that you’re technically camping, albeit very luxuriously! Walking through the well-manicured grounds, we discover the infinity pool, and instantly know what we’ll be doing after lunch. Said meal, which we enjoy in the open-air dining room, turns out to have a distinctly Italian flair, with homemade tagliatelle, numerous salads and freshly-baked bread. I’m delighted to recognise many ingredients from the vegetable garden. As we approach our suite to change into our swimming gear, we’re thrilled to find dik-dik moving warily off the verandah.

With its vast open, acacia-dotted plains and abundant wildlife, coupled with a waterhole near the lodge and the omnipresent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, this really is one of the most picturesque places I’ve visited. Being in the private Kitirua Conservancy means we have access to Amboseli National Park, but are sheltered from the many elephant enthusiasts who visit it. It’s clear why they come though, as the park is home to some of Africa’s largest elephant. I was amazed by the detailed research done on these gentle giants by the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, which our guide Jim told us all about on our game drives. Over 3,000 elephant have been studied, and their life histories detailed in the longest-running study of wild elephant ever undertaken. I also loved the village tour we went on, which gave us even deeper insight into the Maasai culture and how closely conservation and community are intertwined.

• Exclusive tented camp with 16 spacious tented rooms, a private house and a family tent. The infinity pool is set next to a bar.
• Private concession, private vehicles available, private dining and flexible schedules.
• Game drives, walking safaris, bush breakfasts, bush sundowners, swimming, spa treatments (additional cost), cultural visits and visit to Cynthia Moss’ elephant research base (additional cost).
• Children welcome. Children’s activities offered and babysitting available. One family suite, and all tents can fit an extra bed.

• Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
• It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
• Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you.  Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
• However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.