WHERE TO STAY IN AMBOSELI PARK

The AfricanMecca Safaris Tier rating is a treasured indicator that ensures your utmost satisfaction with your accommodation and safari experiences in Kenya. We personally visit accommodations and determine the tier rating using an objective guest perspective. The system far exceeds other hotel rating systems that are vulnerable to city-hotel comparisons, personal preferences, emotional responses or insider biased partnerships.

Each tier addresses the needs of a particular type of traveler, whether you want an exceptional safari in an exclusive Kenya location and impeccable personalized service from highly skilled staff, mid-range accommodation with excellent service in a slightly less exclusive location or simply want the most affordable option that gets you close to the most popular safari attractions and wildlife experiences. Rest assured, though, that the same game activities are available for each tier, but some at a supplemental cost differentiated by quality of guiding standards and also access to a private conservancy.



At the Safari Tier 1 level, you will have a premier bush holiday in Amboseli National Park. This tier represents the most exclusive, high-end luxury accommodations, such as Tortilis Camp with 18 tented rooms. The camp is widely recognized as one of the finest camps in Amboseli for getting up-close to elephants, and many of the staff know the herd’s name, peculiar behaviors and much more. The other Tier 1 option is Tawi Lodge with its 12 chalets.

The lodge works in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation for the progression and safeguarding of the wildlife in the Amboseli ecology and the Maasai tribe living there. With so limited guests at these lodgings, you can expect to be pampered by staff who are incredibly practiced in guest service and often anticipate your needs. The guides at these top-end accommodations have the highest level of knowledge about the park, flora, fauna, tracking techniques and many other subjects to give you a dream trip to Africa.

Mid-range Safari Tier 2 accommodations, such as Elerai Camp offers 17 cottages and tented suites. The camp is co-owned in partnership with the Maasai, so you are completely enveloped in one of Africa's greatest cultures. The camp is also set on the side of a hill in a private, exclusive conservancy bordering the national park, so can you enjoy breathtaking views of expansive savannah plains and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Select Our Highly Recommended & Unique Designed Amboseli Safaris By Camps & Lodges That You Want To Tour Visit & Experience

Also rated as a Tier 2, Amboseli Serena Lodge has a prime location inside the park border while Porini Amboseli Camp is set in the distant Selenkay Conservancy outside Amboseli National Park offering an off-beat, authentic wildlife and cultural experience. Game activities are scheduled for small groups of AfricanMecca guests, and your guide has very good to excellent knowledge of the best vantage points for wildlife viewing that may include some of the more traveled areas (read more on the best time to go to Amboseli).

You will receive excellent service, even though, there may be more guests than at a Tier 1 accommodation when staying at Amboseli Serena Lodge – they have 92 rooms while Porini Amboseli only has 9 rustic bush tents.



For the budget-conscious vacationer in Africa, we recommend an affordable accommodation that provides you with modest rooming and proximity to the most visited areas of Amboseli Park. Ol Tukai Lodge and Amboseli Sopa Lodge are value lodges that provide clean, comfortable guest rooms, palatable meals and fixed schedules of game activities.

Service quality may be inconsistent and less personable than Tier 1 and Tier 2 accommodations, as these lodges have more guests on average. Ol Tukai has 80 value rooms while Amboseli Sopa has 83 chalet rooms. Selenkay Gamewatchers Adventure Camp is an admirable option for a budget safari while staying in a backpacker style domed tents.

The staff are fairly responsive to guest requests, and some additional amenities and services are available at supplementary cost. Guiding standards at these accommodations are good and guides are experienced too but average in comparison to safari guides available at Tier 1 and Tier 2 camps and lodges.