Angama Amboseli has officially opened in the heart of Kenya’s 5,700-acre Kimana Sanctuary, one of the last havens for the continent’s Super Tusker elephants.
Continuing the “slow safari” concept championed at its sister property, Angama Mara, the lodge features ten suites inspired by the elephants, using a combination of canvas, concrete, rattan and even elephant dung, with earthy, neutral tones accented by shades of greens and red from the landscape. The new property provides exclusive access to an area of Kenya renowned for its lush landscape and remarkable density of wildlife, all anchored by the unrivalled views of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
Steve Mitchell, CEO & Co-Founder of Angama, said: “An oasis within the Amboseli ecosystem, the safari experience here will complement the wide open plains of the Maasai Mara perfectly, and be a gentle addition to any itinerary to East Africa. We are excited to bring the Angama brand of hospitality to this corner of Kenya, and to partner with Big Life Foundation and the local community landowners to sustain this fragile conservation area.”
Angama Amboseli provides the ideal complement to the Angama Mara safari experience, delivering a gentler and more intimate adventure ensuring the utmost privacy for guests. Bringing Angama’s signature attention to detail and warm, authentic hospitality to this part of Kenya, the new lodge is easily accessible from Nairobi, the Kenyan coast and from Angama Mara, by the lodge’s private airfield, Amboseli National Park airstrip and by road transfer.The Lodge
Set within a Fever Tree forest where some of Africa’s remaining Super Tusker elephants roam, Angama Amboseli offers ten spacious guest suites, including two sets of interconnecting family accommodations, each with uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro from the bedroom to the shower. Showcasing a fresh approach to safari lodge design, each suite has been designed as a private sanctuary, featuring a personalised drinks armoire, butler’s lobby, writing desk, and a dressing area connecting the bedroom to the bathroom, featuring a double vanity and a double shower.
The floor-to-ceiling screened doors lead to a private patio with a lounge area, and an outdoor shower. A set of outdoor rocking chairs, an Angama signature, invites guests to linger and revel in the natural beauty of the Kimana Sanctuary and its views of Mount Kilimanjaro – there is truly no better destination from which to behold the magnificent Kili in all its glory.
Guests at Angama Amboseli can enjoy flexible indoor-outdoor dining in the central Guest Area, with a food concept from chef Sarah Saleheen of Boho Eatery, a restaurant focused on conscious and sustainable food in Nairobi, complete with a baraza for evening gatherings around the fire. The nearby Studios house a safari shop, games room, art gallery, weaving studio, and a photographic studio for capturing Amboseli’s iconic scenes.
A unique vantage point for taking in the lodge’s striking location is the raised rim-flow swimming pool, ideally situated for both wildlife and mountain viewing. Featuring a special drinking trough below, the pool was designed especially for resident herds of elephants that frequently visit the area to drink.While Angama Amboseli’s infinity pool offers some of the best views from the ground, the new Mnara, or viewing tower, offers unrivalled 360-degree views especially of the elephants and other wildlife in the nearby marsh. Like the unique early morning pyjama safaris to witness the sunrise over Kili or Super Tusker tracking with sundowners, the Mnara is surely one of the most memorable experiences that showcases the natural beauty of Kenya and its iconic landscapes.
The Experience
One of Kimana Sanctuary’s highlights is the presence of the Super Tuskers, elephants with tusks so large they nearly touch the ground and weighing over 100 pounds each, a rare phenomenon in Africa. These magnificent creatures often graze near the lodge and are a draw for those seeking one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences on earth.
Angama Amboseli offers a truly intimate experience with the elephants, alongside exclusive traversing rights and unrestricted game viewing in Kimana Sanctuary, which boasts the area’s greatest habitat diversity and wildlife density. Guests can venture out on enriching game drives that take in a myriad of birds and other animals including giraffes, zebras, buffalo, wildebeest, ostrich, warthog, hyena – even lion and leopard – with a team of experienced guides.
From its location near Amboseli National Park, visiting guests can also embark on half- or full-day excursions into the National Park, where they can witness large herds of elephants, lion, cheetah, hippo, flamingo, and more including picnic lunches at private locations secured for Angama guests.
A 21st century conservation story, Kimana Sanctuary is part of a centuries-old migratory path that connects Amboseli National Park to the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo West National Park. This wildlife corridor forms a unique ‘pinch point’ between farmland and an active highway crossing, showcasing the complexities of modern conservation and the coexistence of humans and wildlife.The lodge proudly partners with the Big Life Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, working closely with local communities to ensure a harmonious balance between wildlife and people. This critical partnership with Big Life aims to protect this little parcel of land, the most valuable part of the wildlife corridor, which is vital for the whole ecosystem. Guests have the opportunity to visit Big Life HQ to learn more and witness conservation efforts in action. Big Life’s work in Kimana and the greater Amboseli ecosystem is supported by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, one of Kenya’s most important conservation organisations.
Angama Amboseli invites travellers to experience the splendour of East Africa’s wildlife and landscapes while contributing to conservation and community empowerment.
