inTHESPOTLIGHT – Angama Amboseli, Kenya
Our editorial team shine their spotlight on the spectacular, newly opened Angama Amboseli, in the heart of a private Kenyan wildlife sanctuary.
Set against the incomparable backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Angama Amboseli is a wilderness jewel – an intimate lodge in the heart of Kimana Sanctuary, Kenya’s first community-owned conservancy.
Located within a fever tree forest, in unforgettable surroundings famed for their lush landscape and abundance of wildlife, the property is a 3.5 hour drive from Nairobi. Guests can also take a scheduled flight or land a private charter at the Sanctuary’s own airfield.
Owned by 844 Maasai families, Kimana Sanctuary boasts the greatest habitat diversity and wildlife density in the area, attracting hordes of eland, reedbuck and warthogs, along with giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. It’s also home to some of Africa’s last Super Tuskers, elephants with tusks so large they drag the ground as they roam in procession through the Sanctuary.
And with Angama Amboseli’s exclusive traversing rights and unrestricting game viewing, there’s even a chance to spot the elusive leopard, cheetah and serval.
One amazing sight always on the horizon is Kilimanjaro. The 10 tented suites have been cleverly situated to ensure the peak is visible from almost every corner – from the bed to the shower – while floor-to-ceiling screens are all that lie between you and the majestic mountain.
In a contemporary take on African design, each suite is a blend of canvas, concrete and rattan in earthy, muted shades, with shutters leading to a shaded outdoor seating area. Inside, a butler’s lobby leads to the bedroom with super king extra long bed, personalised drinks armoire and writing desk. A dressing area, with two matching wardrobes, connects the bedroom and bathroom which features a double shower plus screened doors leading to an outdoor shower. There are also two larger, family tented suite options.
Included in the opening rates are guided safaris in Kimana and Amboseli, guided walking, plus on-property guest experiences, making a visit to Angama Amboseli an exciting introduction to the safari experience.
For guests venturing slightly further afield, the Amboseli National Park is just a 45-minute drive away and one of the best places in Africa to see huge herds of elephants marching single file across the dusty landscape or taking a “bath” in the dry lake beds. Hippo, flamingo and more than 400 species of birdlife are also visible in the wetlands.
For a truly inspiring escape and fabulous addition to any East African itinerary, Angama Amboseli offers a privileged view of an oasis within a fascinating ecosystem, where the founders have partnered with Big Life Foundation and the local community landowners to sustain this fragile but breathtaking conservation area.
For more details on this incredible destination, please visit: https://angama.com/stay/angama-amboseli/