Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli

This was our 3rd and last stop on our 2 week Safari trip and we loved Tortilis, even with a few realizations that weren’t quite what we expected. It’s a beautiful lodge, the managers and staff were friendly and very inviting and attentive. The food was interestingly yummy and almost over-filling, and it’s the best location to see Kilimanjaro and lots and lots of elephants. We had a great driver/guider/tracker with a great personality and filled with info to share. We were happy to find a few cats, but with it being our 3rd stop, we realized we were so spoiled seeing everything in our 1st 2 stops. This last park was sparse by comparison. Everything we had seen over and over again elsewhere were just much harder to find at Amboseli, so that became a let down since elephants were not our priority. We learned depending on where you start, 2 stops over 7-10 days was more than enough instead of 3 stops over 14 days, but we may’ve felt different if Tortilis was our 1st safari (making it a build up). It was disappointing at first but this Camp really became our relaxation spot where our kids loved the pool and the parents loved our tents where we could just rest! We had the drives and a cultural visit too, but the spa time and pool time along with the food, the scene, and the vibe from staff, we loved it there.

The moment we arrived at Tortilis Camp, we felt so welcome – a big warm hug. General Managers Graeme and Candi Smith and their incredible team greeted us enthusiastically, making sure they understood our dining preferences and other special requests. Clearly their hospitality comes from the heart! The grounds are lush and gorgeous – unbelievable views, including Kilimanjaro. Amboseli was the first park on our safari, and our daily game drives were thrilling. (I might have overdone it a bit with all the photos of elephants and Kilimanjaro.) Upon our return each day, we were greeted with huge smiles, cool hand towels and a cold drink. Our rooms (tents) were beautifully designed and decorated, spacious, comfortable and spotless, with thoughtful features and amenities, including daily laundry service. The food at all the camps and lodges we visited was excellent but I must say Tortilis take top prize. Lovely menu selection, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented – each meal was a delicious work of art. The chef and the wait staff clearly take pride in offering an exceptional experience to their guests. I can’t praise the Tortilis Camp team highly enough – asante sana!

A quaint camp, but I have to say… a special thank you to Eunice! It’s a good downhill walk going to our tent, and dark. I understand that theres electric fence in the property, but your “men staff” could be of good help to make sure that your guests are back safely to their tents. Having experienced with other Kenyan camps that guests safety is a huge thing… I’m q bit disappointed with the staff (men)just standing by tge guest walkway instead of accompanying the guests especially the ladies. A kettle also helps if available for the gursts to use.

Located in a Conservancy within Amboselli National Park this camp offers shared game drives, walks, sundowners both in the Conservancy as in the NP. The camp central accommodation is at the top of a hill, whilst the thatched cabins are all down the hill (a ride to the top is available however). The cabin is a long rectangle with the bathroom at the end. It is a rather large camp and you will be sharing the safari car with 4 others; the viewings all concentrate on elephants, the huge tuskers for which Amboselli is famous. Mount Kilimanjaro offers a nice backdrop on the pictures, when not in the clouds. As we stayed 3 nights, we had each day different company in our car, except for the last morning, when it was only the 2 of us. The sundowner is a surprise and very nice, as well as one breakfast. The staff, the service as well as the meals are in line with the 4* classification of this camp. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, diner is plateservice. The food is fine.

We had an amazing stay at Elewana Tortillus. Graeme and Candy, who run the camp couldn’t have been nicer and more welcoming. The tent was so comfortable and well thought out and the staff were friendly and efficient. The food was amazing and there were nice touches like a cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate and biscuits brought to your tent before early morning drives and tasty cake bites and tea/ coffee available all day. Of course we have to mention the game drives and the guide was so knowledgable and made every effort to ensure we saw everything Amboseli had to offer. It wasn’t the only camp we stayed at while in Kenya but it was far superior to any others.

The staff at Elewana Tortilis exceeded our expectations for a Safari experience. They were very welcoming and attentive. We did not have to lift a finger as they took care of all our needs. The layout of the lodge was open and very inviting. The restaurant and bar overlooked a small lake where various wildlife could be spotted. There was also an observation deck ideal for taking pictures or just observing everything. The rooms provided ample space for a couple. We could have used brighter lights in the rooms to better see at night, but this was only a minor inconvenience. The meals were excellent. We appreciated the inclusion of both local and international dishes on the menu. Our waiter, Philip, took excellent care of us during each and every meal. The daily game drives, bush breakfasts, and sundowners were all impeccably done. Johnathan, our guide, did an excellent job taking us to spots for viewing the various wildlife inhabitants of Amboseli, most notably the elephants. Can't wait until our next visit.