On the backside of the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro lies the gorgeous Amboseli Nationwide Park, identified for being the house of the tremendous tuskers. For these not within the identified, tremendous tuskers are the elephants with the most important tusks which are sometimes additionally among the many oldest. One can think about the quantity of holiday makers flocking in to see these majestic creatures roaming round, along with every kind of different wildlife, creating probably the most visited parks in the entire of Kenya.
Angama, a model that carries conservation excessive up its sleeves, created a surprising property proper subsequent to this hotspot, however presents a completely completely different expertise to its visitor because it sits inside its personal non-public sanctuary, ensuring company can take pleasure in very good wildlife sightings with out the crowds however nonetheless with the majestic Kilimanjaro within the background.
The welcome
We have been barely coming to a halt with our jeep, or Religion and Anthony the place standing able to welcome us to this gorgeous property. Heat smiles throughout and with some refreshments and chilly towels in hand we felt immediately at house. Nonetheless, until in the present day, too many inns and lodges underestimate these preliminary moments when the company arrive and so they simply wish to really feel genuinely welcome. Too typically it’s pressured, scripted and badly executed, but right here at Angama Amboseli the entire workforce nailed it in essentially the most excellent manner.
The room
Not lengthy after our arrival and preliminary lunch, we made our method to our household suite which consists out of two commonplace suites that are linked by a light-weight and ethereal hallway. Supreme for households like us, who’re travelling with 2 youngsters aged 7 and 12. In complete there are solely 10 suites at Angama Amboseli, of which 2 are household suites.
You enter your suite via a small entrance corridor which serves completely as a mud room in case of rain, or simply to depart your dusty sneakers all the remainder of the time. After that you just stroll into a up to date designed sleeping space with an outsized king mattress which at all times scores bonus factors in my books. There’s additionally a minibar, espresso and tea station, and naturally ground to-ceiling home windows which all look our over Mt Kilimanjaro.
Outdoors on the terrace you’ll have a comfortable seating space and Angama’s signature rocking chairs which are perfect for a day nap or simply to take pleasure in a relaxed drink whereas trying outdoors to see which animals are roaming round within the sanctuary. We usually noticed zebra, impala, elephants, warthogs and so forth from the consolation of our personal suite.
The toilet
Proceed additional into the suite from the sleeping space and also you’ll go via the dressing into the toilet which has double sinks, a double bathe and once more these insanely stunning views over Kili. The model is minimalistic with largely black and white tones, but it nonetheless feels heat and welcoming. Africology toiletries and merchandise emphasise the need to maintain issues pure and natural.
Every thing it is advisable to plan your journey in 2026
The amenities
Even with its most capability of 24 company at any given time, Angama Amboseli presents some very good amenities. Firstly there’s a beautiful spherical pool which presents the identical epic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The right spot for a day nap.
When it comes to meals there’s actually nothing else to say however the truth that each the standard and selection are very good, to not point out the fantastic wine record that comes with it.
There isn’t a spa but the suites are so spacious that they gladly remodel your lavatory right into a mini-wellness space everytime you like a therapy. My spouse did put them to the check and was very blissful to report that each the set-up and the therapy have been prime notch.
In fact there’s a store to purchase any final minute requirements or simply some very good prime quality souvenirs. However adjoining you’ll additionally discover the unimaginable weaving studio the place a handful of Maasai mamas craft essentially the most superb homeware and likewise jewelry. In fact it didn’t take lengthy for our children to assist them alongside and study every little thing from them. They even made some good items themselves.
Speaking in regards to the youngsters, there’s additionally a video games room devoted to the youthful company, though there are solely 2 household villas on the lodge so there’ll by no means be greater than 4 youngsters enjoying round. Now that’s simply one of many many components that basically units Angama Amboseli aside. Regardless of the scale of the lodge, they make sure that every little thing is offered, and in one of the simplest ways potential. Sure, that additionally features a photographic studio the place the resident photographers enable you to edit your photos, print them in the event you like, and so forth. You can too lease correct digital camera gear so that you don’t need to carry it alongside in the event you don’t wish to carry all that weight.
Location
Most individuals will arrive in Nairobi from the place it’s both a 3-4 hour drive to Angama Amboseli over good tarred roads or a 50 minute flight straight into Kimana. You can too choose to fly into Amboseli airstrip from the place it’s about 1 hour drive to the lodge.
The placement couldn’t be extra excellent. Set inside its personal non-public sanctuary referred to as Kimana, it’s solely a mere 40 minutes from the Amboseli Nationwide Park.
Different good touches
From the minute we arrived until the second we left, there was a relentless circulate of little surprises, small touches and real hospitality that’s laborious to come back by these days, particularly for households. As we have been travelling with our children, they have been very nicely taken care off and it was simple to maintain them busy. Nevertheless, Angama additionally supplied them with goodie baggage upon arrival, additional consideration wherever potential and tons of consideration from the workers. On morning I got here again from a recreation drive with my son, solely to search out my daughter within the suite portray the day away with a few of the greatest instruments and supplies I’ve seen in a very long time. One other time the youngest one helps within the kitchen to organize us some cocktails whereas mummy and daddy benefit from the views of Kili with some zebras within the entrance of it. Don’t get me unsuitable, that is actually a surprising lodge for {couples}, however in contrast to many others they gained’t side-eye you since you arrive together with your youngsters.
One other small element that basically made my day (every single day) was the truth that within the mornings the workforce can be ready at our recreation car with our favorite sort of espresso, a scorching water bottle locations on our seat and a real smile to want us a contented recreation drive. I imply…..what extra might you ask for to begin off your day?
One night we have been additionally shocked by a bunch of Maasai who got here to carry out on the campfire and afterwards talked briefly about their tradition, traditions and so forth. Whereas I’ve seen many performances like these, I need to admit that it was transient, informative and a good way for the youngsters to study extra about this tribe.
Value
In fact none of this comes without spending a dime, however reality be advised, by way of worth for cash I believed it was the most effective safari lodges I ever stayed at. And I’ve finished a lot everywhere in the African continent. Angama Amboseli doesn’t work with completely different pricing all year long, as an alternative they’ve a hard and fast price of 1850 USD (round 1400 GBP) per particular person per evening. Not low-cost, however contemplating the conservation work they help with it, the extent of service you get and the luxurious of staying in an excellent non-public sanctuary, make it greater than value whereas.
The very best bit
The views of Mt. Kilimanjaro are majestic and since the sanctuary is non-public, you might have all of the wildlife for your self with out having the share it with dozens of different recreation autos. Actually one thing that may’t be mentioned when visiting Amboseli Nationwide Park. Therefore why I’d advocate to do possibly 1 recreation drive to the nationwide park however stay inside the sanctuary for the remainder of your keep. And actually, the sport viewing is excellent. We noticed mating lions, a lioness with cubs, a cheetah with a kill, tons of elephants of which some have been among the many largest tuskers on the earth,…. Actually an excellent expertise!
Lastly one distinctive characteristic actually units Angama aside from all the opposite lodges I ever stayed at and that’s the Mnara which is Swahili for “tower”. And from the second you drive as much as this watchtower, you begin to perceive that Angama put as a lot effort into the design of the lodge because it did into the conservation of the wildlife and the encircling space. It’s the best spot for a sundowner, and whereas we have been sitting there, sipping our G&T’s, a herd of about 30 elephants casually handed by beneath us, as if we weren’t there. One other pinch-me second in Africa.
The ultimate verdict
Angama Amboseli is actually a spot it is advisable to expertise in an effort to absolutely perceive how good it really is. From the superbly designed suites, the omnipresent workers that’s taking good care of you in essentially the most real manner, the very good guides and trackers that take you on the very best recreation drives to the superb meals and insane views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, all of it works completely collectively, creating the the most effective safari experiences on the market.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Angama Amboseli.
Kristof Eyckmans
Kristof Eyckmans is a journey author from Antwerp, Belgium. He’s been dwelling all throughout the globe and whereas he loves wildlife and nature, he can nonetheless take pleasure in a very good city jungle.
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