Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. Towering at 16,100 ft. above the plateau base, this iconic dormant volcano forms the foreground to a stay at Angama Amboseli.
Wraparound views from the dining area, swimming pool, and guest suites were the concept for where the property would be facing. A flight with Safarilink from Wilson Airport takes me to the Amboseli airstrip, where safari guide Leshan greets me at the bottom of the Cessna 208’s stairs. Arriving just before 8 am, breakfast has been set up next to the Angama Amboseli safari vehicle on a picnic table with two chairs.
It’s a delicious selection of treats, from a muffin to an egg sandwich, washed down with passion fruit juice. Leshan packs up everything, and we start our journey to Angama Amboseli through Amboseli National Park. Famous for its large herds of elephants, Amboseli National Park sits in southern Kenya and is also well-known for its wildlife conservation. Driving through the park, we encounter a variety of species, from great white pelicans to lesser flamingos and a malachite kingfisher at the swamp.
Turning towards me, Leshan asks whether I would like to see Craig. I don’t hesitate for a second. Craig is a legend in the Amboseli National Park and has tusks that touch the ground, making him one of the last remaining giant tuskers in Africa. We find him feeding on some greenery, and his kind eyes and relaxed disposition make him any photographer’s dream subject. He is 53 years old and is slowly moving through the foliage, stopping every so often to pull out more food. As Kenya’s largest tusker, he is well looked after by community guides from Big Life Foundation. Spending a bit of time with Craig is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which I will treasure forever.
Crossing the corridor between Amboseli National Park and the Kimana Sanctuary, we arrive at the entrance to Angama Amboseli. Warmly welcomed with a Swahili ‘Karibu’, I am shown to the dining area, where most meals are served. With formalities out of the way, it is time to see my tented suite. Designed with unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, the ten suites are ample in size. Opening the pillowed front door, there is an entrance hall, a bedroom with a four-poster bed, nightstands on both sides, a bar and coffee station, a wardrobe section, a bathroom with double vanities, an inside + outside shower, and a flush loo.
Sliding the wooden shutters away to step outside onto my private veranda, my jaw drops again as the vistas over Mount Kilimanjaro are absolutely breathtaking.
Lunch is an array of bread, salads, poke bowls, chicken, the Amboseli Burger, and your choice of grilled steak, chicken breast, or pan-fried fish. Dessert is on a separate menu with Kenyan coffees and other delicacies, which include melt-in-your-mouth home-made vanilla ice cream.
Leshan rounds us up for the afternoon safari, and we’re all excited to see what’s out there. Elephants really steal the show at Angama Amboseli, and witnessing the interaction between members of a breeding herd is very heartwarming. We have drinks at The Mnara, an elevated deck with 360-degree views over the landscape. It’s the ideal place to watch the sun set with a gin and tonic in hand, or whatever tipple tickles your fancy.
Returning to the lodge, the tables for dinner have been set up on the luscious green lawn. A herd of zebras appears, looking rather confused that we are seated on their supper. Tonight, I dine on smoked sailfish bruschetta for starters, pan-roasted beef fillet with herbed buttered baby potatoes for the main course, and mixed berry pavlova for dessert.
An askari escorts guests to their suites, as one is not allowed to walk unaccompanied once the sun has set or before it has risen. This is because the property is unfenced, and wildlife can move freely through the camp. A cleansing shower with the Africology products is imperative before I climb into bed. Drifting off to sleep, the only disturbance is zebras barking just prior to me getting ready for my morning safari.
Big cats are more prone to be active when the weather is cooler. Through the tall grass, Leshan sets eyes on a pride of lions, consisting of a male, a female, and three cubs. The cubs are full of energy, chasing one another around, much to the male’s annoyance. We leave them in peace and find a few Masai giraffe, more elephants, a herd of zebra, and a large herd of buffalo.
Guests have a choice whether they want to spend a big part of their morning out on safari or come back to the lodge for breakfast and a siesta. Opting for the second alternative, I notice a troop of vervet monkeys sitting on the lawn, supposedly plucking out some grass to give us the illusion that they are eating. We know that they are opportunistic and can pounce at a moment’s notice, helping themselves to anything they can get their paws on.
The swimming pool looks really inviting, even though the water is not heated. After lunch, I walk back to my suite to appreciate the splendor of the space. Before long, the afternoon safari has rolled around, and the elephants are out in full force. Amongst the herd, a number of tiny calves are shielded by their moms. Rumor has it that one of the females had given birth earlier in the day, but we failed to locate her. We have sundowner drinks at the airstrip, and dinner is a gastronomical feast.
A rustle outside my suite makes me sit up, wondering what might be lurking. I’m informed that a herd of elephants was having a feeding frenzy in the early hours of the morning. Walking to the departure point for our morning safari, the sun is trying very hard to break through the mist. As if on cue, a giraffe appears, forming the most stunning silhouette against the pink and orange sky. Angama Amboseli joined the Angama collection of properties in November 2023, making it the perfect addition to an extraordinary East African safari.
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This story originally appeared on Upscalelivingmag
