Opened on November 1, 2023, Angama Amboseli offers a new safari experience in Kenya in one of the last habitats of Africa’s Super Tuskers.
Angama Amboseli was officially inaugurated in the heart of the Kimana sanctuary in Kenya, one of the last refuges for the Super Tusker elephants on the continent. Continuing the concept of “slow safari” advocated by its sister property, Angama Mara, the lodge features ten suites inspired by elephants, using a combination of canvas, concrete, rattan, and even elephant dung, with neutral and earthy tones accentuated by the greens and reds of the landscape. The new property offers exclusive access to an area of Kenya known for its lush landscape and remarkable wildlife density, all anchored by unparalleled views of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
“An oasis within the Amboseli ecosystem. The safari experience is a perfect complement, with the open plains of the Maasai Mara, and will be a gentle addition to any itinerary to East Africa. We are very happy to bring the Angama hospitality brand to this corner of the country and to partner with the Big Life Foundation and local community landowners to preserve this fragile conservation area,” said Steve Mitchell, CEO and co-founder of Angama.
Angama Amboseli is the perfect complement to an Angama Mara safari experience, providing a smoother and more intimate adventure, ensuring maximum privacy for guests. The new lodge, where attention to detail is evident, is easily accessible from Nairobi, the Kenyan coast, and Angama Mara, via the property’s private airstrip, Amboseli National Park airstrip, and by road.
The lodge
Situated in a Fever Tree forest, where it’s still possible to see some of Africa’s remaining Super Tusker elephants, Angama Amboseli offers ten spacious suites, including two sets of interconnected family houses, each with uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro, from the bedroom to the bathroom.
Introducing a new approach to safari lodge design, each suite has been designed as a private sanctuary, with a custom beverage cabinet, butler’s room, desk, and a dressing area that connects the bedroom to the bathroom, with double sinks and a shower. Floor-to-ceiling screen doors lead to a private patio with a seating area and an outdoor shower. A set of outdoor rocking chairs, an Angama signature, invites guests to relax and admire the natural beauty of the Kimana sanctuary and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Guests of Angama Amboseli can enjoy flexible dining, indoors and outdoors, in the central guest area, with a culinary concept designed by chef Sarah Saleheen of Boho Eatery, a restaurant focused on conscious and sustainable food in Nairobi, with a space for evening gatherings around the fire. Nearby studios house a safari shop, game room, art gallery, weaving studio, and a photography studio to capture iconic Amboseli scenes.
A unique viewpoint to appreciate the lodge’s stunning location is the high-edge pool, ideally situated for wildlife and mountain watching. With a special watering hole at the bottom, the pool is designed specifically to provide water to the resident elephant herds that frequently visit the area.
While Angama Amboseli’s infinity pool offers some of the best views, the new Mnara, or observation tower, promises a 360-degree panorama of the place, especially of the elephants and other wildlife roaming the nearby marshland. Similar to exclusive morning ‘pajama safaris’ to witness the sunrise over Kili or tracking Super Tuskers with sunset drinks, Mnara is one of the most memorable experiences showcasing the natural beauty of Kenya and its landscapes.
The experience
One of the highlights of the Kimana sanctuary is the presence of Super Tuskers, elephants with tusks so large they almost touch the ground and weigh over 30 kilograms each, a rare phenomenon in Africa. These magnificent creatures are known to graze near the lodge and are an attraction for those seeking one of the planet’s most inspiring wildlife experiences.
Angama Amboseli not only offers this possibility, a truly intimate experience with elephants, but also exclusive rights for crossing and unrestricted wildlife observation in the Kimana sanctuary, which boasts the highest habitat diversity and wildlife density in the region. Guests can venture on safaris that reveal a plethora of birds and other animals, including giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, ostriches, warthogs, and even lions and leopards, led by a team of experienced guides.
Being located near Amboseli National Park, visitors can also embark on half-day or full-day excursions to the National Park, where large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, hippos, flamingos, and more can be spotted, including picnics in private locations reserved for those staying at Angama.
To know
Kimana sanctuary is part of a centuries-old migratory route that connects Amboseli National Park to the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo West National Park. This wildlife corridor forms a unique “inflection point” between farmland and an active road crossing, showcasing the complexities of modern conservation and the coexistence of humans and wildlife.
The lodge is a partner of the Big Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Greater Amboseli ecosystem, working closely with local communities to ensure a harmonious balance between wildlife and people. This partnership with Big Life aims to protect this small piece of land, the most valuable part of the wildlife corridor, which is vital to the entire ecosystem. Guests have the opportunity to visit the Big Life headquarters to learn more and witness conservation efforts in action. Big Life’s work in Kimana and the Amboseli ecosystem is supported by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, one of Kenya’s leading conservation organizations.