Amboseli Elephants Park- Best Amboseli Elephant Park Lodges Kenya

Oltukai Lodge

This is the newest property, and lies in the heart of Amboseli National Park. An impressive wooden walk way across green lawns and between acacia trees leads guests to an airy reception area which has been artfully designed using natural materials.

Guest stay in chalet-style, single story blocks which have been built using local gum trees and pale slate. There are a total of 80 good-sized rooms each with a sitting area, a giant mosquito net enclosing the twin beds, and ensuite bathrooms with showers. Rooms have a good view towards Mt. Kilimanjaro or over the wetlands.

There is a large and attractive swimming pool with shady areas to sit and a pool bar for snacks and drinks. Guests can watch animals from the open-air Elephant bar which looks over the wetlands, play board games in the lounge, or use the library which commands a lovely view of mt. Kilimanjaro. You can go on bird walks in the property or attend a lecture given but some one attached to the Amboseli elephant research station.

Other services in the Oltukai lodge in amboseli park

24 hour telephone service, two rooms designed to accommodate the disabled, pre-booked game drives, masai dancing in the evenings.

Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge

This older lodge was built in 1973 and needs refurbishing. It can accommodate 200 and is often full of tour groups. It is outside the Amboseli National Park, about 20 minute drive from the nearest gate. It is also near a Masai village. You have a fantastic wide-open view of Mt. Kilimanjaro from rooms’ #80-90, the Hemmingway Tower Bar, and the swimming pool. The decor combines lava stone with dark wood and high ceilings. Room rondavels are spread through grounds. It is near the Kenya departure point for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Special Offerings at the lodge

Light plane ride over Mt. Kilimanjaro, camel rides, bush banquets, day trips with picnics to chyulu Hills and mzima springs, bird walks.

Mt. Kilimanjaro Safari Club

This older lodge resembles a large tented camp, but without canvas. There are approximately 100 double rooms in concrete and thatched cottages and newer "K" wing with cottages built of wood. Unfortunately, each room practically touches the next, and work is in progress on the water table which has caused flooding in some cottages. There is a pleasant dining room, but only the new rooms in "K" wing are appealing with many windows, private terraces and bright fabrics. Rooms # K-9, K-10 AND K-12 have fantastic views with terraces opening out to green lawns and mt. Kilimanjaro.

Tortillis Camp

This select camp of 15 tents offers a special blend of rustic style and luxurious comfort. It is without question the nicest place to stay in Amboseli. When you arrive at tortillas (easy by plane and a long, dusty, bumpy road by vehicle) you walk in the spacious lounge and dining area. You feel you need go no further. Beautifully thatched roofs soar overhead; the sides are open to the breeze and to the wraparound view. Dominating the horizon is snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro rising massively out of the acacia plains. Animals can be seen browsing in the shrub land and converging on small waterhole. Below, nestled under spreading acacia tortillis trees are the thatch-covered tents. There is the welcome green of watered lawns and a blue swimming pool beckons.

A stone path winds down the hill (a hot walk in the midday sun). The tents are wonderful-spacious, cool and with an oversized large veranda where you could easily while away an afternoon just enjoying your private view and listening to the hundreds of birds which have flocked to this green oasis. The tents have been cleverly arranged so that each has a view and you are not aware of your neighbors. There are large comfortable beds and pleasant ensuite bathrooms. Solar panels provide the hot water and electricity.

The meals at tortillis to be good-fresh, tasty and varied, with an emphasis on delicious pasta. Some of the vegetables and herbs are grown right in camp.

Tortillis is placed just outside of the park (near Kitirua gate) and guest is able to go for guided game walks. You go out early in the morning with an extremely knowledgeable and friendly Masai guide. The ground between the trees is depressingly dry and dusty but you were treated to Kilimanjaro clearly etched against a morning sky and the thrill of getting close to giraffe, grant’s gazelles and zebra. A large herd of elephant kicks up dust in the distance. For those who don’t come with their own transport, Tortillis has 4 wheel vehicles and drivers. Guests can arrange to go for hilltop cocktails at sundown.

The owners, stephano and max cheli and liz peacock, are known for providing high quality, personalized safaris. They have kept the camp small to ensure that each guest is looked after in a very special way. The camp is managed as a conservation project and the owners work closely with the Masai people and the Kenya Wildlife Service.