The Best Lodges in Amboseli

Ol Tukai Lodge is one of the best spots in the world to watch elephants with the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Ol Tukai and the surrounding Amboseli National Park are described ‘as a home for the Gods’. Ol Tukai is an Eco-rated lodge having excellent outdoor and indoor facilities with its unique collection of African art. The property receives an overwhelming response from the international and local tourism market. The eastern part of Ol Tukai Lodge is home to several families of an elephant.  Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli’s design takes full advantage of this natural topography. For this reason, it is one of the most modern lodges in East Africa. They pride themselves on being the best in the hospitality and service that they extend to their guests. read more read less

The picturesque Tawi Lodge lies on a beautiful private concession at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, only ten minutes away from the gate to Amboseli National Park.  It is set in the heart of its own 3,000-acre private conservancy and in one of the richest game areas in Kenya. This eco-friendly lodge offers magnificent and extensive views of Kilimanjaro and the wetlands from both its main guest areas and its beautifully appointed cottages. Each cottage boasts romantic four-poster beds, a lovely ensuite bathroom with a Victorian bath and a shower, a fireplace and a personal bar. A butler service is provided for that added personal touch. There are 13 individual guest cottages set on either side of the main lodge building; all cottages have a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tawi Lodge can accommodate up to 30 guests. All ensuite, each has a large lockable wooden chest for safekeeping of valuables, spacious hanging cupboards and a fireplace. Cottage 7 is suitable for wheelchair access. Swimming pool with sunbeds on wooden decks overlooking the waterhole. A large main lounge with a fireplace and bar. A small upper deck lounge. Lovely gift shop. A fantastic spa, offering massages, pedicures, manicures and reflexology. An outdoor ‘hot tub’. Outside central fireplace and bar overlooking the waterhole. Delicious meals are enjoyed in the main guest area, with menus created from the freshest ingredients (locally sourced where possible) and served to a symphony of African sounds. A waterhole, visible from the convivial bar areas, a dining room, sitting rooms and a spa all offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a spot of game viewing from the comfort of the lodge. Adventures include twice-daily game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles, nature walks, camel walks and fly camping. read more read less

Satao Elerai Camp is an exclusive and eco-friendly game lodge set on a 5,000-acre private conservation area on the border of Amboseli National Park. Unsurpassed views in every direction, coupled with a truly unique camp designed and built from local materials, give the discerning traveller the chance to experience the flavours and romance of real Africa at its very best. Satao Elerai aims to ensure that all its clients not only receive the perfect safari but also experience a level of comfort and luxury that would be difficult to find elsewhere in Africa. Apart from the region’s abundant wildlife, the lodge’s drawcard is its spectacular views of the Amboseli plains and majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Resident elephants are often seen from camp and are frequently heard trumpeting in the night, while the floodlit watering hole alongside the lodge attracts a variety of game, especially in the mornings. Satao Elerai's central areas are built around a group of giant boulders, into which the swimming pool, reception area curio shop, terrace, main bar and dining areas have been nicely integrated. From the hotel-like reception area, you cross a short bridge over a landscaped fish pond, where rushes grow and weaver birds nest, to the bar (which stays open as long as guests want to order drinks) and split-level lounge and dining room, with an upper, observation floor with comfy seating. There is a selection of board games and books, making this a cosy spot to spend evenings in camp. The lodge forms part of the community-owned Elerai Conservancy and you have the opportunity to walk alongside Maasai warriors in search of elephant, giraffe, zebra and other wild game as they herd their prized cattle to grazing grounds. When you are not on foot, embark on guided game drives into the Amboseli to see the park’s mighty elephant residents, acclaimed for their large tusks, and seek out Africa’s sought-after nocturnal creatures – like serval, genet, civet and aardwolf - on a night drive in the Elerai conservancy.   read more read less

Kibo Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp in Amboseli National Park in Kenya at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Amboseli, meaning “salty dust” in maa, the language of the Maasai, is a place of stark contrast. The park provides the classic Hollywood image of Africa. Set in rolling savannah scenery the park is dwarfed by the presence of the pink-tinged, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kibo Safari Camp has 73 self-contained single, double, triple and family tents. The beds have been custom-designed and locally made using bush logs and will ensure a good night’s sleep! All tents have flush toilets, showers, and wash basins. You can enjoy your shower as you like: bubbling hot or refreshing cold. For the duration of your stay in the African bush, Kibo Safari Camp will be your home away from home! The Camp incorporates an open terraced restaurant and bars under acacia trees overlooking majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and a beautiful swimming pool has been landscaped within. The ideal location of the camp ensures you get breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Kibo safari camp offers complete tranquility and privacy as we have maintained the original nature feel bringing you closer to nature. read more read less

Maasai Simba Camp is in the heart of the Maasai country. The camp is 100% owned and managed by the Maasai tribe. The camp, nested in the deep acacia forest on the banks of the Kiboko River, was built by hand with a rustic charm. The camp is ideal for local safaris to Amboseli National Park and hike to Chyulu Hills. If you dreamed of walking with giraffes and zebras this is the place to realize your dream. It’s a perfect spot for people who love the outdoors. Activities include daily walking safari lead by the Maasai warriors, excursion to Amboseli National Park, meeting with Maasai elders and the women cooperative. Bookings are inclusive of full board (3 meals a day), walking safari in a pristine landscape and exclusive cultural experience with the Maasai. The camp has a 4x4 Safari vehicle with pop-up roof for easy wildlife viewing and photography. The Safari vehicle comes with additional fee. The camp sponsors a village school and health center. read more read less

Camp of the Hidden Treasure. One of the most unique and iconic safaris and inspiring soul journeys in Africa, In front of Kilimanjaro, with a Maasai warrior taking you on safari, among elephants and lions, you will experience your dream African adventure. Campi ya Kanzi offers the luxury retreat from the hectic modern world, sundowners overlooking Kilimanjaro, safari with the privilege of a Maasai tracker in wilderness with no other lodges around, energy and water from the elements, and precious memories in a unique place with special hosts for a very exclusive and personal experience and life-changing soul journey. read more read less

Set just outside the popular Amboseli National Park, the Amboseli Sopa Lodge stands on 200 acres of savanna and bush highlighted by majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The lodge’s lobby is bright and airy, an indoor garden paints a welcoming picture for guests, and the decor and art seen throughout the lodge depict true Maasai culture.  A bridge over a tranquil fishpond connects to a large thatched roof restaurant named after Mt Kilimanjaro’s Kibo Peak, with the outdoor Mawanzi terrace and bar the perfect spot to enjoy a meal or drink beneath the shade of the Acacia tree.  All forms of wildlife still abound in this wilderness which continues all the way to the Amboseli National Park, an easy twenty-minute drive away from the lodge. While the park conserves over six hundred breeding species of birds as well as a host of rare and wonderful wildlife, this is also home to the Maasai people, perhaps the world’s most renowned African tribe. read more read less

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is located within Amboseli National Park, set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli Serena Lodge is influenced by native Masai architecture and decorated with natural woodcarvings, traditional artefacts and local art. The lodge overlooks a saltlick and a floodlit waterhole where you can see gathering herds of elephant, buffalo and wildebeest, to name but a few. This is also an excellent area for bird viewing with over 400 species of birds. Nestled in an acacia grove by a gentle mountain spring, the hotel, comprising a Maasai-inspired design, a garden restaurant and a palm-shaded swimming pool and sundeck, provides uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape. In every detail, the ambience captures the essence of Maasai culture, warmth and indomitable spirit. The setting of the Amboseli safari lodge is breathtakingly beautiful, the wildlife abundant and the cuisine, hospitality and amenities unrivalled. You can enjoy the comforts and the beautiful setting, in addition to the activities on offer which include game drives, morning bird walks with the lodge's resident naturalist and visits to a traditional Masai manyatta. There are also plenty of opportunities to unwind at the lodge itself, including an afternoon spent on the veranda watching the game pass by, taking a dip in the natural spring-fed swimming pool or enjoying a relaxing massage. As part of Serena Hotels' reforestation programme, you will be invited to plant a tree to help restore the land that was becoming barren from herds of elephants tearing up the trees for food. read more read less

Tortilis Camp is a small gem of a tented camp that honours old safari traditions while keeping current with the latest in modern conveniences and thoughtful luxuries. The camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland. Located in a private conservancy bordering the national park, game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals take place both inside the national park and in the conservancy, where guests enjoy exclusivity. It was one of the first eco-lodges of its size and is very proudly 100% solar. Guests can rest assured they are leaving a minimal footprint during their stay. Get as close to the region’s wildlife as possible on a walking safari. Expert Maasai guides will lead you to areas most often frequented by elephants, wildebeest and lions. As a special treat, at the end of this exceptional game-viewing experience, you will be driven to the top of a hill, where you will be greeted by sundowners and snacks.   read more read less