Tortilis Camp
distinctive Camp | Amboseli / Chuylu Hills, Kenya
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Tortilis Camp in Amboseli National Park is renowned for unrivalled views of Mount Kilimanjaro and its proximity to a thriving African elephant population. With more than 1,000 elephants in the park ecosystem—and some of the largest bulls in Africa—visitors often get exceptionally close to these giants. Tortilis Camp shares the Latin name of Kenya’s native umbrella thorn trees, paying homage to the acacia woodlands within which the camp sits.
Our Expert Says
For an incredible view of snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, come to Amboseli National Park and stay at Tortilis Camp. This camp also delivers fabulous wildlife viewing. More than 1,000 elephants and 400 species of birds are found in the vast wild region surrounding Tortilis Camp. Here, you also get to experience wildlife drives both in the national park and the private concession.
– Corrin LaCombe
The Camp
Location: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Number of Tents: 18
Tortilis Camp offers 16 spacious tents with king or twin beds, all with views of snow-topped Mount Kilimanjaro. Each makuti-covered tent consists of a main bedroom with wooden floors, en suite bathroom with stone floor, hot and cold running water, shower and flush toilet, and a private veranda ideal for reading, lounging or watching wildlife right out the ‘front door.’ Each tent includes room for an extra bed to accommodate children, the family tent and private house each offer two large en-suite bedrooms, sleeping up to four adults and two children, and a spacious private seating and dining area. The main lounge, bar and dining area are all built using natural, locally sourced sustainable materials, including thatched roofs and parquet floors. Using produce from its garden, Tortilis Camp prepares fresh salads and vegetables with every meal. From memorable bush breakfasts to homemade pastas and breads, camp chefs craft personalized meals served in an inviting atmosphere, in full view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Facilities & Amenities
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Hair dryer in pool changing area
- 220v charging outlets in room
- Central pool
- Massage treatments (extra cost)
- Wi-Fi in main area
- Laundry included
- Local drinks included (house alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
Wildlife Viewing & Activities
Tortilis Camp offers a bevy of activities including wildlife drives, safari walks, sundowners and bush meals, both inside the Amboseli National Park and within a private 30,000-acre wildlife concession on the park border. Elephant, lion, cheetah, giraffe, hyena, wildebeest and a multitude of other plains animals thrive here, which visitors will encounter during forays into the wilderness around the camp. Guests may also visit one of the nearby Maasai villages, gaining insight into the unique cultural traditions of these pastoral herders. Tortilis Camp lies in one of Kenya’s richest elephant-viewing areas, in the heart of Maasai country, where local guides proffer expert tracking of these regal icons of the African bush. Nearby, guests may enjoy an exclusive visit to Cynthia Moss's Elephant Research Base, to learn more about the herds of Amboseli and the conservation efforts underway to protect them.
Amboseli National Park is known for its herds of free-ranging elephants that journey to drink from the marshes at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Chyulu Hills also has resident elephants and other big mammals. The chart below shows common sightings in these areas. Other typical sightings may include a number of small mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.
| Country | Park/Reserve |
Buffalo
|
Cheetah
|
Eland
|
Elephant
|
Gemsbok / Oryx
|
Giraffe
|
Hippo
|
Hyena
|
Leopard
|
Lion
|
Wildebeest
|
Zebra
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Amboseli / Chuylu Hills |
| Usually viewed | Frequently viewed | Occasionally viewed | Sporadically viewed | Rarely to never viewed |
Climate
| Month | Max | Min | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 84° F | 63° F | 1.61 in |
| 28° C | 17° C | 41 mm | |
| February | 88° F | 63° F | 1.14 in |
| 31° C | 17° C | 29 mm | |
| March | 88° F | 64° F | 3.31 in |
| 31° C | 17° C | 84 mm | |
| April | 84° F | 64° F | 4.69 in |
| 28° C | 17° C | 119 mm | |
| May | 82° F | 61° F | 1.06 in |
| 27° C | 16° C | 27 mm | |
| June | 81° F | 57° F | 0.08 in |
| 27° C | 13° C | 2 mm | |
| July | 79° F | 55° F | 0.08 in |
| 26° C | 12° C | 2 mm | |
| August | 81° F | 55° F | 0.08 in |
| 27° C | 12° C | 2 mm | |
| September | 84° F | 61° F | 0.08 in |
| 28° C | 16° C | 2 mm | |
| October | 90° F | 64° F | 1.06 in |
| 32° C | 17° C | 27 mm | |
| November | 90° F | 66° F | 6.65 in |
| 32° C | 18° C | 169 mm | |
| December | 82° F | 63° F | 4.61 in |
| 27° C | 17° C | 117 mm |
Conservation
Tortilis supplies the local community with unlimited access to clean drinking water, operates a provisions shop for them and has built washing facilities specifically designed for the use of community members. Tortilis has developed funds to start building a new primary school and clinic, with plans for a secondary school at a later stage. The aim is to build a school far enough from the park boundary so that increasing incidences of human-wildlife conflict can be prevented, and to relieve the current pressure on the park from the community. More than 60 percent of the Tortilis staff come from the local community and are trained on site. This results in approximately 40 Maasai staff members who are able to care for up to 400 - 500 family members and friends as a result of employment.
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