Angama Amboseli, a new 10-suite lodge from the team behind Maasai Mara’s Angama Mara, has opened in Kenya’s private 5,700-acre Kimana Sanctuary against the dramatic backdrop of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. Angama, which was opened in partnership with Big Life Foundation, helps protect a critical wildlife corridor.
Elephants are the star of the show at Angama Amboseli, including some of Africa’s last, massive “Super Tusker” elephants, which roam the Fever Tree forest around the lodge. Elephant-centric accents are scattered throughout the property, including elephant-ear-shaped vanity mirrors in the suites’ bathrooms, dung used to build the lodge’s exterior walls and an infinity swimming pool equipped with a drinking trough for elephants.
Angama Amboseli was designed by architect Jan Allan and interior designers Annemarie Meintjes with Alison Mitchell. It is inspired by traditional round Maasai manyatta structures, using all local materials, including furniture made from ebonized mvule and coconut palm woods, and textiles of local rattan, grasses and sisal.
Each suite at Angama Amboseli features floor-to-ceiling screened doors leading to a private patio with a shaded lounge area, an outdoor shower and Angama’s signature Fermob rocking chairs. Suites maximize the views of Kilimanjaro, which might be the best vantage point to capture the iconic peak. The lodge’s guest area features an indoor/outdoor dining area with baraza fire pit, safari shop, game room for the whole family, gallery and makers’ studio for Kenyan artisans, and photography studio.
Kimana Sanctuary, which is owned by 844 local Maasai family members and managed by Big Life Foundation, is a 21st-century conservation story. It is located at the “pinch point,” a narrow wildlife corridor that is all that remains of a centuries-old migratory path due to farming and encroachment, which connects Amboseli National Park to the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo West National Park.
With exclusive traversing rights and unrestricted game viewing, Angama Amboseli offers a remarkable density of wildlife, including elephants, eland, buffalo, reedbuck, giraffe, zebra, warthogs, leopard, cheetah, servals and many birds of prey. Guests see all these creatures on an early-morning “pajama safari” when the views of Mount Kilimanjaro are best.
“Angama Amboseli provides guests a gentle start or finish to any East African safari, and a quiet contrast to the wide open plains of the Maasai Mara,” said Steve Mitchell, CEO and co-founder of Angama. “Guests can expect Angama’s signature blend of warm and gracious Kenyan service, well-considered guest experiences, contemporary African design and an intimate wildlife experience, especially with the extraordinary ellies.”
Angama Amboseli is easily accessible via daily Safarilink flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the Sanctuary’s private airfield or nearby airstrips. Private charters are also welcome for direct connectivity to and from the Maasai Mara. The lodge is a 3.5-hour drive from Nairobi.
Originally posted on Insider Travel Report
For more information visit www.angama.com/stay/angama-amboseli.
