At the foot of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro lies the magnificent Amboseli National Park, known for being home to the super-tuskers. For those who don’t know, super tusks are the elephants with the largest tusks, which are often also among the oldest. One can imagine the number of visitors flocking to see these majestic creatures roaming around, along with all manner of other wildlife, creating one of the most visited parks in all of Kenya.
Angama, a brand that wears conservation high on its sleeves, has created a stunning property right next to this hotspot, but offers a totally different experience to its guests as it is within its own private sanctuary, ensuring that guests can enjoy stunning wildlife sightings without the crowds but still with majestic Kilimanjaro in the background.
The reception We had barely stopped with our jeep, when Faith and Anthony were ready to welcome us to this magnificent property. Warm smiles all around and with some refreshments and cold towels in hand we immediately felt at home. Yet to this day, too many hotels and lodges underestimate those first moments when guests arrive and simply want to feel truly welcome. Too often it’s forced, scripted and poorly executed, but here at These are Amboseli the whole team succeeded in the most perfect way.
The room Shortly after arriving and having our first lunch, we headed to our family suite consisting of 2 standard suites connected by a bright and airy hallway. Ideal for families like us traveling with 2 children aged 7 and 12. In total, there are only 10 suites at Angama Amboseli, including 2 family suites.
You enter your suite through a small entrance hall which serves perfectly as a changing room in case of rain, or simply to leave your dusty shoes there the rest of the time. After this you enter a contemporary designed sleeping area with an oversized king-size bed which always scores bonus points in my books. There’s also a minibar, a coffee and tea station, and, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows that all overlook Mount Kilimanjaro.
Outside on the terrace you will have a comfortable seating area and Angama’s signature rocking chairs, ideal for an afternoon nap or simply enjoying a drink while looking outside to see what animals are roaming the sanctuary. We regularly saw zebras, impalas, elephants, warthogs, etc. in the comfort of our own suite.
The bathroom Continue further into the suite from the sleeping area and you will pass through the dressing room to the bathroom which has double sinks, a double shower and once again those incredibly beautiful views over Kili. The style is minimalist with mainly black and white tones, but it nevertheless remains warm and welcoming. Africology toiletries and products emphasize the desire to keep things natural and organic.
Everything you need to plan your trip in 2026 The facilities Even with its maximum capacity of 24 people at any time, Angama Amboseli offers superb facilities. Above all, there is a lovely round swimming pool which offers the same epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The perfect place for an afternoon nap.
In terms of food, there’s really nothing else to say other than the quality and variety is superb, not to mention the magnificent wine list that goes with it.
There is no spa but the suites are so spacious that they happily transform your bathroom into a mini wellness area when you want a treatment. My wife tested them and was very happy to report that the setup and processing were excellent.
Of course, there is a store to buy last minute products or just great, high quality souvenirs. But next door you will also find the incredible weaving workshop where a handful of Maasai moms make the most amazing homewares and jewelry. Of course, it didn’t take long for our children to help them and learn everything from them. They even made some beautiful pieces themselves.
Speaking of children, there is also a dedicated games room for younger children, although there are only 2 family villas at the lodge, so there will never be more than 4 children playing. This is just one of the many things that truly sets Angama Amboseli apart. No matter the size of the lodge, they make sure everything is available and in the best possible way. Yes, this also includes a photography studio where resident photographers help you edit your photos, print them if you wish, etc. You can also rent suitable camera equipment so you don’t have to bring it along if you don’t want to carry all that weight.
Location Most people will arrive in Nairobi, from where it is either a 3-4 hour drive to Angama Amboseli on beautiful tarmac roads, or a 50 minute flight directly to Kimana. You can also choose to fly to Amboseli airstrip, from where it is approximately 1 hour drive to the lodge.
The location couldn’t be more perfect. Situated in its own private sanctuary called Kimana, it is just 40 minutes from Amboseli National Park.
Other Nice Touches From our arrival until our departure, there was a constant flow of little surprises, thoughtful touches and genuine hospitality that is hard to find these days, especially for families. As we were traveling with our children, they were very well taken care of and it was easy to keep them occupied. However, Angama also provided them with goody bags upon arrival, special attention wherever possible and lots of attention from the staff. In the morning I returned from a safari with my son, only to find my daughter in the suite painting all day with some of the best tools and materials I have seen in a long time. Another time, the youngest helps in the kitchen to prepare cocktails for us while mom and dad enjoy the view of Kili with a few zebras in front. Don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly a great lodge for couples, but unlike many others, they won’t look at you sideways because you’re arriving with your kids.
Another little detail that really made my day (every day) was the fact that in the morning the team was waiting outside our game vehicle with our favorite type of coffee, a hot water bottle placed on our seat and a genuine smile wishing us a good safari. I mean…what more could you want to start your day?
One evening we were also surprised by a group of Maasai who came to perform around the campfire and then spoke briefly about their culture, traditions, etc. Although I have seen many depictions like this, I have to admit that it was brief, informative, and a great way for children to learn about this tribe.
Cost Of course, none of this is free, but truth be told, in terms of value for money, I thought this was one of the best safari lodges I’ve ever stayed in. And I’ve done a lot of things all over the African continent. Angama Amboseli does not offer different rates throughout the year, but has a fixed rate of USD 1,850 (approx. GBP 1,400) per person, per night. It’s not cheap, but considering the conservation work they support, the level of service you get, and the luxury of staying in a stunning private sanctuary, it’s well worth it.
The best piece The views of Mount Kilimanjaro are majestic and because the sanctuary is private, you have all the wildlife to yourself without having to share it with dozens of other game vehicles. Definitely something that cannot be said when visiting Amboseli National Park. This is why I would recommend doing maybe 1 safari to the national park but staying in the sanctuary for the rest of your stay. And honestly, the game viewing is superb. We saw lions mating, a lioness with her cubs, a cheetah killed, tons of elephants, some of which were among the largest tusks in the world,…. Really a great experience!
Finally, one unique feature really sets Angama apart from all the other lodges I have stayed in and that is the Mnara which means “tower” in Swahili. And from the moment you arrive at this lookout tower, you begin to understand that Angama has put as much effort into the design of the lodge as it has into the conservation of the wildlife and surrounding area. It’s the perfect place to have an aperitif, and as we sat there sipping our G&Ts, a herd of about 30 elephants casually walked past us, as if we weren’t there. Another pinch-me moment in Africa.
The final verdict Angama Amboseli is truly a place you must experience to fully understand how good it is. From the perfectly designed suites to the ever-present staff who take care of you in the most genuine way, to the superb guides and trackers who take you on the best safaris to the delicious food and incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro, everything works perfectly together, creating one of the best safari experiences around.
Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by These are Amboseli.
Kristof Eyckmans Kristof Eyckmans is a travel writer from Antwerp, Belgium. He has lived all over the world and although he loves wildlife and nature, he can always enjoy a beautiful urban jungle.
Did you enjoy this article? Receive similar content straight to your inbox.
