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Set within the private Kimana Ranch on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park, Elephant Gorge delivers high-end hospitality, served up with sides of passion and humour. You can sense the enthusiasm behind this family-owned lodge – everything from the quixotic but tasteful decor to the on-the-ball yet easygoing staff. The park itself is known for its postcard view of Mount Kilimanjaro, and its five unique habitats, from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli to the sulphur spring-studded wetlands. It's also one of the best places on the continent to view herds of large-tusked elephants.
From $340 person/night
The camp itself is remarkable – the rooms are individually decorated, each centred around a theme, with its own story and personality. You'll enjoy the idiosyncratic touches.
Sundown on safari is always an event, but even more so here because of the truly dazzling vistas and epic spots in which to toast the close of another day in Africa.
Game drives into the park in search of the relaxed elephant herds, then stopping for a while to watch the families in action – the calves playful and mischievous, the elders gentle and stately. It's a sight that's as far removed from cityscapes as you can get.
The double-storey main area capitalises on the vistas, sitting just above (and almost indistinguishable from) the buffalo thorn tree line. However, step inside and the colourful cushions and bright walls mean there's nothing subtle about this lodge's eccentric, fun ambience. The walls of the large open-plan lounge (built around a natural lava rock formation) are either glass or open to the breezes, with intimate seating areas and a broad deck. The bar is well-stocked; the dining room glows with colourful place settings, warm lighting at nightfall and starlit, alfresco dining if you fancy.
Each of the ground-level suites is spacious and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows making sure you miss none of the wildlife action at the waterhole. The suites are built of stone and wood, so they blend easily into the landscape. The interiors, like that of the main area, have a personality all their own, though the clear focus throughout is to make the most of the views. Expect large double beds, a dressing area and en-suite bathroom with a double basin, a solar-heated shower and bath.
The large glass windows in the suites make the most of the views. This is a really lovely camp in an area that never disappoints.
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Activities centre around game drives in the private ranch (you may be lucky enough to spot cheetah) and inside Amboseli National Park. Drives in the park have great potential for sighting of elephants as well as all the iconic African species, with the exception of rhino. Peak season (July–September) is drier, so good for seeing game (and many humans too). However, good sightings can be had year-round, and the varied habitat makes this a dynamic setting for thrilling wildlife viewing on foot too. And end your day with sundowners on the plains.
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The Amboseli and Chyulu Hills region enjoy a diverse landscape of open savannah, acacia thicket and riverine forest, characterised by sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. It's a place of extreme scenic beauty, with wildlife to match. Witness lions, buffalo, leopard, spotted hyena, cheetah, giraffe, warthog, a diverse range of antelope and more than 300 species of bird. However the true highlight is the magnificent herds of elephant containing the last of Africa's big Tuskers.
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