If its exquisite accommodation facilities are anything to go by, then Amboseli National Park is the best of the best destinations you can ever visit during a safari in Kenya. This Kenyan Protected Area is found within the Kajiado County across the Kenya-Tanzania border and covers an area of 392 square kilometers.
Referred as the land of the Giants, this famous Park is known for being the perfect place in the whole World to get up-close with free-ranging African elephants in addition to the Cape buffaloes, East African lions, blue wildebeests, Cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Masai giraffes, impalas, Grant’s zebras and more than 400 species of birds including over 47 species of raptors, pelicans, Hammerkops and Kingfishers among others. There are a lot of interesting things to explore within this part of Kenya and activities include game viewing, birding, cultural tours to the local villages, nature photography and walking safaris.
The perfect way to explore the entirety of Amboseli National Park is by spending overnights within some of the graceful accommodation facilities found within the areas and these include;
Ol Tukai Lodge
Situated at the heart of Amboseli National Park is Ol Tukai Lodge, ideally set to allow guests enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro with large herds of elephants on the plains below. There are 80 chalet-style luxury and comfortably furnished rooms (twin-bedded) with private terraces and en-suite bathrooms but also offer jaw-dropping views of the Amboseli plains and the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.
Unlike other accommodation facilities that don’t favor the physically disabled visitors, two rooms within Ol Tukai Lodge were designed according to EU Standards for wheelchair users. Numerous animals especially giraffes, buffaloes and elephants as well as beautiful birds always roam around the Lodge thus tourists can enjoy activities such as game viewing, nature walks and birding. With the nearby Chapel, bush weddings and honeymoon can be organized for interested couples.
Kibo Safari Camp
Kibo Safari Camp is an up-market Tented Camp within this famous National Park, at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest Mountain in the African Continent (standing at 4900 meters/16,100 feet above sea level). This Camp features at least 73 self-contained tents in different categories of single, double, triple and family accommodation and have custom-made and locally made beds out of bush logs but the comfort you will get will make you wish to spend more nights.
The self-contained tents also have private bathrooms with cold and bubbling hot showers and was basins as well as flush toilets. While here, guests can have romantic dinner by the pool under the stars or within the open-terraced restaurant set under the acacia trees that overlook the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. Other facilities available include a swimming pool, conference facilities, Lounge and Bar, message parlour, a dining area, a souvenir shop and an Art gallery among others.
Kimana Amboseli Tented Camp
This small budget accommodation facility is found close to Amboseli National Park and north-west of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, about 2 kilometers from Kimana Gate and over 228 kilometers from Nairobi City via Emali thus offering an ideal bushveld escape from the boring life of the City. The facility has at least 6 fully-furnished and self-contained cottages, 15 self-contained tents and other 15 tents that are not self-contained.
Bathrooms here are fitted with fully-functional showers as well as flush toilets of typical western style. There is a fully-equipped kitchen and the food prepared is simple but undeniably delicious. With earlier notification, personalized meals that fit your interests and needs can be prepared and served while at Kimana Amboseli Tented Camp.
Visitors to this facility should look forward to enjoying several activities including nature walks, game drives, breakfast and sundowners, cultural and homestead visits, cycling and bird watching.
Sentrim Amboseli Tented Camp
This luxury Tented Camp is situated on the border of Amboseli National Park close to Kimana Gate, about 240 kilometers from Nairobi via Namanga and around 228 kilometers on the Nairobi-Mombasa road. It boasts of 60 state of art deluxe rooms and family houses overlooking the Kilimanjaro Mountain but also have soft beds with ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, wash basins and flush toilets.
While you will find a tea and coffee making facility, hair drier, electronic safe deposit box and fridge inside the Tent, other facilities within the Reserve include a dining area with a capacity of 120 guests, Jacuzzi and swimming pool surrounded by a sheltered sunbathing site that is considered a welcome area to the facility. There is also a main guest area comprising of a bar, reception area, lounge and gift shop.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is sprawled against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and about 250 kilometers from Nairobi, close to the Tanzanian border. It is hidden within a thicket of acacia trees but most interestingly overlooks the majestic savannah plains with clear views of the mountain. The artistic appearance of the Lodge depicts typical Maasai cultural decorations featuring traditional artifacts, natural woodcarvings and a collection of colorful local art, and offers lavish en-suite rooms with two single-stoned buildings to the left and right of the main reception and dining areas.
Each of the rooms are tastefully resigned with Masai-inspired and eco-friendly materials that reflect the true pith of the African wilderness, hand painted and king-sized beds or luxurious twins with private bathrooms (featuring walk-in showers). The rooms also allow guests to relish the vast views of the Park but other facilities present include a well-stocked bar, African gift shop, Forex facilities, massage parlor, swimming pool and a main restaurant. Special services to expect include private picnics, bush meals, sundowners at the observation hill, full-time housekeeping service, specialist cultural entertainment, hairdryer and lunchboxes.
Not only that, guests to this Safari Lodge have chances of engaging in a number of activities including nature walks, jogging, bird watching, game viewing and board games among others.
Tortilis Safari Camp
Named after the flat-topped and umbrella-like thorn tree-Acacia tortilis that dominate the area, this facility is one of Amboseli’s finest Wilderness Camps surrounded by numerous jaw-dropping wildlife and areas of Acacia Tortilis with awe-inspiring views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Guests to this Camp should expect a warm welcome, mouth-watering cuisines and comfort like no other.
There are 16 large and spacious tents designed in a traditional manner to blend well with the simple styles and modern facilities and each of the Makuti-thatched tent comprises of a vast main bedroom with double or twin bed, large verandah and adjoining bathroom. There is also a bar, spacious dining area, lounge area that are all constructed with local materials and offer guests with the backdrop views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Activities to expect here include sundowners and bush dinners, visits to the Cynthia Moss Elephant Research Centre, bush breakfasts in the middles of the savannah plains, bush walks, cultural visits and game drives to explore the wonders of this vast African wilderness.
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Sitting on 200-acres of Private Land with a rustic glamour on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro-Africa’s highest and most popular snow-capped mountain is Amboseli Sopa Lodge. The facility is nestled within the mature wooded gardens with numerous species of trees and plants including Acacia, thorn trees, the giant cacti, the beautiful bougainvillea and the sweet-scented Frangipanis that are all found within the area.
Accommodation within Amboseli Sopa Lodge is inform of rustic and spacious cottages scattered throughout the extensive area of mature gardens (home to monkeys, birds, duikers and mongooses) and feature at least 83 guestrooms that are beautifully designed with Masai-themed wall murals and each of them is purpose-built to contain either one or two queen-sized beds as well as a private verandah.
The luxurious and large two-bedroomed Presidential Suite with its private dining area, attached kitchenette, large patio as well as vast lounge will make your stay at the Lodge very worthwhile and memorable. Other facilities/amenities at the Lodge include the Kibo Restaurant named after Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, gift shop, Three-themed bars including Mawenzi and Hemingway’s bars, children’s pool, a swimming pool, handcraft market and the Mawenzi Terrace (outdoor dining area beside Mawenzi Bar).
Porini Amboseli Camp
With only 9 spacious and fully-furnished tents with en-suite bathrooms comprising of flush toilets, showers and wash basins, guests to Porini Amboseli Camp are guaranteed of having the best time during their safari in Amboseli National Park.
This Camp is situated within the private Selenkay Conservancy in the Amboseli Eco-system and is designed along the lines of a traditional Tented Safari Camp but the tents are tastefully furnished with solar-powered electric lighting and provide guests with secluded and friendly experience. A maximum of 20 guests can be accommodated at once with delicious meals, drinks (mineral water) and activities such as guided walks, game drives and sundowners inclusive in the package.
Tawi Lodge
Tawi Lodge is nestled within a magnificent private concession of 6000 acres at the foothills of the mind-boggling snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and about 10 minutes away from the entrance to Amboseli National park (Kimana Gate). It boasts of 13 cottages that are beautifully found within the bushland and each of them has four-poster beds, beautiful en-suite bathroom with a shower and Victorian bath, private bar and fireplace.
The food within this Lodge is prepared from the organic and fresh ingredients grown within the Amboseli wetlands or locally sourced from the markets as well as finger-licking spices from the Coast, and the dining area and bar exist within the Central point of the Lodge area. Some of the adventurous activities relished by guests of Tawi Lodge include camel walks, game drives with 4WD Vehicles, fly camping and nature walks. Not only that, visitors can relax by the campfire or at the bush bar before and after dinner as you listen to the beautiful sounds of the birds and animals in this African wilderness.
Maasai Simba Camp
This Camp is found in Merrueshi group Ranch under the Canopy of the indigenous Acacia trees on the banks of River Kiboko near the Amboseli National Park, within the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and is historically said to be the former place for Maasai warrior training. Therefore, visitors interested in having a feeling of authentic safari and cultural experiences with the Maasai have to visit this accommodation facility.
The Camp’s rustic charm is unlike that of most Camps and Lodges in Kenya but the ambience, delicious food, friendly staff and cozy rooms will make you feel at home and wish to stay longer. Accommodation here is in form of 8 private cottages made of volcanic rocks, thatch roof and floors made of mazera stones as well as 3 Hemingway tents each with en-suite bathrooms, private verandah, wood-frame beds, solar-powered lights and mosquito nets, but there is also a shared bathroom for visitors with hot water and flush toilets.
Activities to enjoy here include bird watching, walking safaris led by some of the Maasai warriors, storytelling sessions by the Maasai elders, bead-making lessons led by Maasai Women Co-operatives, tour of the local schools and village clinic in addition to tour to the surrounding Maasai villages. Therefore, guests are advised to spend at least two nights within the Camp to get the best out of the visit.
Therefore in addition to being the best place to get up-close with free-ranging African elephants and other numerous wildlife species such as Cape buffaloes, East African lions, blue wildebeests, Cheetahs, spotted hyenas, Masai giraffes, impalas, Grant’s zebras and more than 400 species of birds, Amboseli National Park is popular for graceful accommodation facilities including Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Sentrim Amboseli Tented Camp, Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Maasai Simba Camp and Porini Amboseli Camp among others.