Spotlight on Elewana Tortilis, Amboseli National Park

Nestled on the outskirts of the world-famous Amboseli National Park, Elewana Tortilis offers an unparalleled safari experience. Elewana Tortilis, part of the wider Elewana group is a high end camp with all the comforts and activities you would wish for a safari trip to Amboseli National Park.

With breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, intimate encounters with elephants, and bespoke tented accommodations, it's no wonder this haven is fast becoming one of Kenya's top choice for safari holidays in the Amboseli region.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or an unforgettable family vacation, Elewana Tortilis promises memories that will last a lifetime.

Dive in, and learn all about this camp.

Quick Facts on Elewana Tortilis Camp

Location: On the edge of Amboseli National Park, Kenya.

Iconic View: Majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak.

Wildlife: Prime location for viewing elephants, with the Big Five also making frequent appearances.

Accommodation: Luxury tented accommodations blending both comfort and an authentic safari feel.

Activities: Guided game drives, nature walks, cultural visits to local Maasai villages, and sundowners with awe-inspiring views.

Conservation Effort: Elewana Tortilis is dedicated to sustainable tourism, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and support for local communities.

Best Time to Visit: Dry season (June to October & November to March) for optimal wildlife viewing.

Getting There: A short 45 minute flight from Nairobi and an additional 45 minute scenic drive to the camp.

Unique Feature: Camp overlooks a waterhole, providing guests with constant wildlife viewing opportunities right at their doorstep.

Awards & Recognition: Multiple accolades for luxury, hospitality, and sustainability in the safari industry.

Rooms

There are 3 styles of accommodation at Elewana Tortilis.

Tents

Every tent, shaded with a makuti roof, features a primary bedroom with twin beds or a double bed, an attached bathroom, and a roomy verandah. Please specify if you prefer twin beds or a double.

An additional bed can be accommodated in all tents, exclusively for children below 16 years of age.

Family Tent

Boasting spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro right from your individual family verandah, the Family Tent at Tortilis Camp enhances the appeal of this family-centric safari camp in Amboseli. The Family Tent is structured with one double bedroom with an attached bathroom, one twin bedroom also en suite, and an expansive private verandah. Additionally, it comes with access to a swimming pool, which is also accessible to the Private House guests. Both bedrooms can accommodate an additional bed, exclusively for children below 16 years of age.

Private House

Under the watchful gaze of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which dominates the camp's skyline, the Private House at Tortilis Camp offers a breathtaking view of the majestic mountain. This private abode includes one double bedroom with an attached bathroom, one twin bedroom with an en-suite, and an expansive living area that extends to a verandah. Guests also have access to a swimming pool, which is shared with those staying in the Family Tent. [Note: Each bedroom can accommodate an additional bed, exclusively for children under 16 years of age.]

Safari Activities at Tortilis Camp

Guiding:

The guides at Tortilis Camp, nestled in Amboseli, possess a deep and intimate knowledge of their home turf. A majority of them hail from the Maasai community and together, they boast an impressive 80 years of combined guiding experience at Tortilis Camp. In fact, the lead guide has been with the camp since its inception. Each guide is accredited either as Gold, Silver, or Bronze by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Amboseli is renowned for its iconic elephants, subjects of over two decades of research by Cynthia Moss. The Tortilis team is exceptionally familiar with each elephant, understanding their familial ties, as well as the territories of resident lions and other native species. They also have exclusive access to the expansive 30,000-acre Kitirua Conservancy, making them experts on everything from hyena dens and seasonal flora to migratory birds. Moreover, the walking guides from Tortilis Camp, being local Maasai, have been traversing this wilderness since their youth. They eagerly impart knowledge about intricate details, from animal tracks and traditional herbal uses to the rich Maasai culture.

Game Drives:

Guides at Tortilis Camp, situated in Amboseli, are deeply familiar with the terrain they call home. They possess intricate knowledge about each elephant and their lineage. Over half of these guides hail from the Maasai community and collectively bring to the table an astounding 80 years of guidance expertise within Tortilis. Every guide has earned either a Bronze or Silver certification from the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association.

Pioneering a change, Tortilis Camp introduced open game drive vehicles to national parks, with their current fleet comprising state-of-the-art 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers, custom-fitted for the ultimate safari experience. These vehicles are unparalleled, being specifically tailored for both comfort and photography. They feature open sides, three seating rows, stands for photographic equipment, and charging ports. Unless clients pre-book an "exclusive use of the vehicle" for an additional fee, game drives are shared.

Considering that a mere 10% of Amboseli National Park sees frequent safari activity, Tortilis Camp's unique position on the park's western boundary (while most lodges are toward the eastern entrance) offers guests a nearly exclusive Amboseli experience. Furthermore, guests are treated to private game drives within the expansive 30,000-acre Kitirua Conservancy, which forms the western segment of the Amboseli ecosystem.

Guided Walks:

The walking guides at Tortilis Camp hail from the local Maasai community and have roamed these plains from a young age. Step out of the vehicle and immerse yourself in the intricate details of the land – from animal tracks to dung beetles and tiny ecosystems. These guides eagerly impart wisdom about the land, traditional herbal applications, and the rich customs of the Maasai culture.

Cultural Experiences:

Nestled amidst Masai territories, Tortilis Camp provides an authentic glimpse into local Masai households. The Masai reside in semi-permanent abodes called Manyattas, handcrafted by the women using cattle dung and grass. For a fee (details available at reception), these families will graciously give you a tour of their dwellings. They may also present their traditional handcrafts for purchase - remember to negotiate assertively!

Tortilis Camp maintains a harmonious relationship with the Masai community, and there are avenues for you to engage and contribute.

The Masai are easily recognized by their striking beadwork, ever-present spears, and vibrant red "shukkas" (blankets draped as clothing). Traditionally nomadic and pastoral by nature, they sustain on their cattle and goats. This way of life isn't just their profession and currency, but also the reason expansive wilderness areas brimming with wildlife remain conserved.

About Amboseli National Park

The region is renowned for its striking vistas of Kilimanjaro, the tallest standalone mountain globally and Africa's zenith. Towering at 19,340ft or 5,894m, Kilimanjaro majestically rises from the 4,000ft (1,200m) Amboseli plains. This extinct volcano boasts two peaks: the rocky Mwenzi and Kibo, distinguished by its crater rim. Though the mountain's glaciers are receding due to global warming, it remains crowned with snow, as any moisture it receives takes the form of snowfall. Interestingly, while Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, its most captivating views are best appreciated from Amboseli. Positioned on a southwestern hillside facing the mountain, Tortilis Camp offers arguably the most mesmerizing perspectives.

Amboseli is equally celebrated for its elephant populations, extensively studied and chronicled by the globally-acclaimed researcher, Cynthia Moss. Some of Africa's most massive elephants roam here, and Tortilis Camp's guides are intimately familiar with each elephant’s lineage and can approach the accustomed herds closely.

Much of Amboseli overlays what was once the bed of a Pleistocene-era lake, with verdant freshwater springs at the park's heart serving as a sanctuary for hippos, a diverse range of birds, and a stomping ground for elephants. Apart from abundant plains game and their predators, the region witnesses its own eastern white-bearded wildebeest migration, genetically distinct from the Masai Mara/Serengeti herds.