Tortilis Camp (Amboseli)

Elewana Tortilis Camp is in the Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy, bordering Amboseli National Park in Kenya. It has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Tortilis Camp is named after the flat topped, umbrella thorn tree. The Acacia Tortilis. It embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland.

Most Amboseli lodges are based in the middle of the National Park (or outside the eastern gate). So the majority of visitors only game drive within 10% of the park. Tortilis Camp is located in a pristine area on the southwest border of the park. Famous for having the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro. While game driving, guests have access to both the National Park and the private 121 km2 Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy.

Tortilis Camp was one of the first Eco lodges of its size, and is very proudly 100% solar. Guests can rest assure they are leaving a minimal footprint during their stay. It has Gold Eco-rating with Eco-Tourism Kenya.

The property features a spa, gift shop, bar lounge, swimming pool, and laundry services. Even better though is having your massage in a private area outdoors. Where you can continue to experience the splendor of nature at the same time. There is Wi-Fi internet throughout camp.

Skip to Elewana Tortilis Camp Rates or Specials and Packages

Unique Selling Points

• Unrivaled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro
  An elegant small lodge nestled on the side of Liimbarishi Hill. With magnificent views across the plains to the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
• Habituated elephant herds
  Amboseli is home to elephant families that have been closely followed and over 40 years. Tortilis’ guides know the elephant families and their histories intimately. These are some of the biggest elephants in Africa, as they have been protected for generations.
• Private Amboseli
  Tortilis is set away from other lodges, on the unspoiled and quiet western boundary of the National Park. Closest to the mountain. From the camp guests have full access to the famous Amboseli National Park. As well as exclusive access to 121 Km2 of Kitirua private conservancy.
  In the Conservancy guests can enjoy game drives, walks and bush breakfasts. And, with off-road driving permitted, the guides have the ability to create unparalleled photographic opportunities. As well as much more frequent and higher quality encounters with big game than in the National Park.
• “Little Tortilis”
  Tortilis’ luxurious “Private House” and “Family Tent” are located at the top of the hill, separate to the main tents. With views of the mountain and sharing a private infinity swimming pool.

Tortilis Camp Accommodation

Tents run on a solar inverter system, which cannot support hair dryers. A hairdryer is available for use at the swimming pool changing area. Family Tent and Private House each have hairdryers.

The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate to the main camp, upon the hill where they share a pool. This makes it perfect for family & multi-generational safaris.

Tents (x 16)

Tortilis Camp has 9 x doubles & 7 x twin standard safari tents. These all have thatched Makuti covered roofs and polished wooden floors. They are decorated in an authentic safari style with rugs. The en-suite bathrooms include a double basin and indoor shower. The beds look out onto your private spacious veranda. Perfect for relaxing on after a long day. Natural light floods the rooms through wide, netted windows. In the evenings the space is lit by the soft glow of lamps. All tents can fit one extra bed, for children under the age of 16 yrs only.

Family Tent

Tortilis Camp’s Family Tent is another great addition to this child friendly safari camp in Amboseli. With outstanding views of Mt Kilimanjaro, enjoyed from the comfort of your own private family verandah. The Family Tent consists of one double en suite bedroom, and one twin en suite bedroom. Both bedrooms can fit one extra bed for children under the age of 16 years only. They are decorated in the same style as the standard tents.

The family tent enjoys access to a shared private pool with the Private House.

Private House

This spacious, private house is traditional, authentic and luxurious. This house has one en-suite double bedroom, with a deep bath. A second en-suite twin bedroom makes it ideal for families. All beds are facing wide, netted windows which afford a view over the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy the sunrise or sunset from the comfort of your bed. Both bedrooms can fit one extra bed, for children under the age of 16 yrs. There is a spacious open air lounge and dining area and a large private veranda with a cushioned sofa. Being slightly raised, the views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding luscious plains from this veranda are breathtaking.

The Private House enjoys access to a shared private pool with the Family Tent.

Amboseli Family Safari

Families are welcome at Elewana Tortilis Camp.
Some of the activities for children are:
Swimming pool
Guided camp “bush” walks. Short walks looking at the trees, flowers, grasses, insects, birds and bird calls, mammals, tracks and droppings
School visit. During normal term times
Warrior training. Learning how to make a fire, throw the Masai rungu and make and use a bow and arrow
Jewellery making. Learning how to make necklaces and bangles with local Masai villagers
Children’s menu

For the activities the child rates start from 3 to 17 year old.

Tortilis Camp Activities

The Tortilis Camp guides are based at camp in Amboseli and know their backyard intimately. They know the individual elephants and their family histories. More than half of the guides at Tortilis are Masai, and have between them 80 years of guiding at Tortilis! All the guides are Bronze or Silver level Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association certified.

Game Drives

Tortilis Camp has specially fitted open game drive vehicles. The vehicles are unrivaled with feature enhancements specifically designed for comfort and photography. Open sided with 3 rows of seats, photographic equipment stands, and charging sockets. Clients will share game drives unless “exclusive use of vehicle” has been pre-booked at an extra charge.

With only 10% of Amboseli National Park utilized by most safari vehicles. Combined with Tortilis Camp’s unique location on the western edge of the park, guests can enjoy an almost private Amboseli. Guests can enjoy game drives in Amboseli as well as the private 30,000 acre Kitirua Conservancy.

Much of Amboseli incorporates the dried up bed of a Pleistocene lake. With lush deep fresh water springs in the middle of the park. A haven for hippos and bird life and a playground for elephants. As well as plentiful plains game and their predators, the area hosts its own eastern white bearded wildebeest migration. A population that is genetically separate from the Masai Mara/Serengeti population.

Game package rates include morning and afternoon game drives (pre-dinner).

Birding Safari

Amboseli is a great birding safari destination in Kenya. It offers both grassland and water areas so the variety of birds is great. Water birds include Egrets, Herons, pelicans, and grey crowned cranes. There  is a big increase in the number of Flamingo’s visiting Amboseli. They make for amazing photos. Grassland areas attract the birds like Hartlaub’s bustard, Rufous chatterer, Hoopoe and starlings. There are also plenty of Marabou storks.

Guided bush walks

Take the time to leave the car behind and enjoy the small things. Tracks, dung beetles, micro-ecosystems. The guides are happy to share their knowledge of the terrain, traditional uses of wild herbs and barks, and the Masai way of life. All bush walks are subject to the discretion of the lead guide due to the nature of the activity.

Cultural visits*

In the heart of Masai country, Tortilis Camp offers visits to local Masai homesteads. The Masai live in semi-permanent huts known as Manyattas. It is the role of the wife to construct the hut from cattle dung and grass. The families will show you round their home for a fee. And will want to take the opportunity to sell their traditional handicrafts – bargain hard!

Known for their beautiful beadwork, spear in hand and bright red colored “shukkas” (blankets worn as clothes). The Masai co-exist with wildlife. As they are traditionally nomadic and pastoral, they live off their cattle and goats. This is their lifestyle, jobs, and currency. It is thanks to this lifestyle that vast tracts of wilderness teaming with wildlife have been preserved.

School visits can also be arranged*.

Visit Cynthia Moss’ Elephant Research base*

Visits to the Elephant Research Project, the world’s longest running elephant research study.

*additional cost

Sustainability and how your can contribute ↓

Minimizing Environmental Impact

All properties owned by Elewana Collection are actively trying to minimize their environmental impact by employing state-of-the-art power systems. They use both solar and power-storage technology to make sure their emissions and fuel use are minimal. One of their main Eco initiatives is their reduction of single use plastic and plastic waste. At arrival at an Elewana property guests receive a reusable aluminum bottle for their water.

Elewana Collection are members of The Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Which establishes global sustainable standards and aims to “increase sustainable tourism knowledge and practices among public and private stakeholders.”

Community

Tortilis employs around 60% of its staff from the local community. Training them from scratch to become professional guides, barman and waiters. With each employed individual in Kenya supporting an average of 8 dependents, our 40 local staff members potentially support between 300 and 400 members of the community.

Walking safaris with local Maasai guides are encouraged at Tortilis. This gives guests the opportunity to find out, first hand, about the intricacies of Maasai culture. And stimulates a pride and desire among the community to preserve their traditions.

Tortilis supports the Esiteti Primary School just 20 minutes’ drive from camp. Where you have the opportunity to donate vital supplies directly to the school in person.

Tortilis Camp has donated funds towards the building of the school, which opened its doors with great ceremony in August 2011. Since then, funds are donated for sports equipment, books, stationary and construction work for Esiteti Primary School.

If you are considering bringing donations from abroad, visit the Pack for a Purpose website for very specific advice on what is needed. Please do note that when flying within Kenya, the internal flight weight restriction is 15kg and may therefore limit what you can carry with you to the camps and donate to the rural communities in person. We can always, however, donate anything over and above your weight limit on your behalf at a later date.

Conservation

Without fences demarcating National Park boundaries, Kenya’s wildlife roam freely between protected areas and surrounding privately owned land. Where their security largely falls into the hands of the community. To promote wildlife protection and conservation among these communities, it is becoming increasingly recognized that they should receive tangible long term benefits from wildlife-based tourism.

In full partnership with the community, Tortilis Camp is one of two tourism operators paying fixed rent to local Maasai landowners to preserve the Kitirua Conservancy.

Conservancy fees paid by guests at Tortilis fund conservancy management, anti-poaching and wildlife protection within Kitirua Conservancy. To achieve conservation goals, they work in partnership with the Big Life Foundation. This foundations efforts are widespread across the 2 million acre Amboseli ecosystem. And are crucial to securing a successful future for Amboseli’s wildlife. We would encourage you to visit the Big Life Foundation website to find out more about their conservation efforts. And additional operational funding requirements.

If you would like to contribute further to the conservation of the greater Amboseli ecosystem by supporting Big Life’s efforts, you may make your donation via the Land and Life Foundation.

Olengaiya Swamp Elephant Enclosure

An African elephant is second only to man in changing its environment. During the 1970’s, poaching and drought encouraged elephants to seek refuge in unnatural numbers within the core of Amboseli National Park, devastating the woodlands.

Observing the rapid depletion of the elephant habitat, the internationally renowned African Conservation Centre, together with the Kenya Wildlife Service, have created fenced “elephant enclosures” to allow woodland wetlands to naturally rejuvenate in the absence of these immense mammals. In support of their efforts, Tortilis Camp rehabilitated and maintains the 2.2km squared Olengaiya Swamp elephant enclosure just 15 minutes from camp.

In the long-term, the ultimate objective is to install a series of enclosures within Amboseli to allow sufficient habitat rehabilitation in accordance with a sustainable rotational elephant grazing plan. US$200-300 is sufficient to fund the maintenance of the fence for one month. If you are interested in helping us conserve this vital elephant habitat, please donate generously to the Elephant Habitat Conservation Project. Contact us to find out how.

Wining and Dining at Tortilis Camp

Take a moment to sit back, enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colors, and the gentle breeze. Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast, al fresco, in the middle of the plains, surrounded by wildlife.

After a day spent on safari relax with a gin and tonic and watch the spectacular sunset.

Guests can enjoy the diverse flavors of East African cuisine and local, sustainably sourced ingredients. Served with thoughtfully designed dining experiences such as bush breakfasts and sundowner stops. All set against a breathtaking backdrop.

How To Get There

Amboseli airstrip is 45 minute flight from Wilson Airport, and a 45 minute drive from the camp.
Daily scheduled flights departing Nairobi Wilson and Mombasa
Private Charter from anywhere

Amboseli Climate

The days are warm, rising to maximum of 30 deg C, but comfortable with minimum humidity. And the evenings are cool with cozy blankets on the beds. Rainfall is mostly in November with an average of 220mm per year.

The wet months: April, May & November.

Dry areas higher than 4,000ft, including Tortilis Camp, can be considered extremely low risk for malaria.
The tents are sealed against mosquitoes.

Tortilis Camp Accommodation Rates

Tortilis Camp offers either full board or ‘game package’ rates.

Full board rates include:
Accommodation,
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner),
Soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits, teas, coffees and refreshments (on the property), and laundry services.

Game package rates include:
The full board package, plus
Scheduled and shared game drives,
Guided walking safari,
Bush breakfast, and sundowners,
Transfers to and from designated airstrips.
The Game Package also includes the per person Kitirua Conservancy Fee.

Both rates exclude champagne, private cellar wines and premium spirit/beers.

Tortilis Camp Accommodation Special Offers and Packages

Tortilis Camp features on the  Elewana 10 day SkySafari Kenya itinerary

Offers cannot be combined unless specified.

Elewana Circuit Discount

Tortilis Camp Amboseli is part of the Elewana Collection. A collection of luxury boutique lodges, camps and hotels in iconic locations across Kenya and Tanzania. Stay longer at any combination of these properties and get great discounts in 2024 and 2025:
6+ nights: 10%
9+ nights: 15%
12+ nights: 20%

Valid in mid and low season at Arusha Coffee Lodge* but all year at all other Elewana properties.

*Mid and low season at Arusha Coffee Lodge is from 1st March to 31st May and 1st November to 19th December.

The Circuit Discount Offer is valid at:
Tanzania:
Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Serengeti Migration Camp, Serengeti Pioneer Camp, Kilindi Zanzibar, (PLUS Arusha Coffee Lodge in mid and low season on the circuit discount)
OR:
Kenya:
Loisaba Tented Camp, Loisaba Star Beds, Loisaba Lodo Springs, Lewa Safari Camp, Kifaru House Lewa, Sand River Mara, Elephant Pepper Camp, Tortilis Camp Amboseli, Elsa’s Kopje or AfroChic (closed for major refurbishment).

Returning Guests

Get an extra 5% discount when you return to any Elewana property. Plus a 20% discount on Spa treatments*.
*Spa services not available in Masai Mara and Serengeti

Tortilis Camp Honeymoon

Elewana Tortilis Camp is the best tented camp in Amboseli therefore ideal for honeymooners. They spoil their honeymoon guests with a variety of activities to give a personalized experience for each couple. A private dinner or romantic sun downer, Tortilis Camp will surprise you on this special occasion.

Tortilis Camp Weddings

Over the years, Tortilis Camp has hosted very many beautiful weddings, blessings, and renewal of vows for it’s guests.

From small simple ceremonies involving merely a glass of champagne at the end of a game drive. To elaborate three day events, with over 30 guests taking over the whole property. Options include legal marriages conducted by the local commissioner or religious minister, or Blessing by the chief of the local tribal community.

Amboseli Accommodation ↓

Watch this space – More Amboseli Accommodation to follow soon!

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Posted: April 19, 2024

Elewana Tortilis Camp is a child-friendly lodge, bordering Amboseli National Park, Kenya. With unrivaled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and lots to do