Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Set in 200-acres of private land, and with a rustic charm all of its own, the lodge nestles in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro which, at almost six thousand metres, is Africa's highest and most famous snow-capped mountain. All forms of wildlife abound in this wilderness which continues all the way to the Amboseli National Park, an easy twenty minute drive away from the lodge.

Rustic, well-spaced cottages meander through the vast expanse of our mature gardens and house our eighty three guest rooms. These are all brightly decorated with Maasai-themed wall murals, and each room has been purpose built to contain either one or two queen-sized beds as well as a veranda. We also have a luxuriously appointed, extremely spacious, two bedroom Presidential suite with a private dining room and an attached kitchenette, and also with a huge lounge and a quite simply vast veranda.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge is set within mature wooded gardens with a wide variety of trees and plants which include thorn trees, acacias, fragrant Frangipanis, colourful bougainvillea and giant cacti which all thrive in these surroundings. The gardens are also home to numerous species of birds as well as monkeys, mongooses, squirrels, duikers, the occasional gazelle and, once in a while, even an ever inquisitive leopard.

The enclosed and domed reception area is designed around the curves of a traditional Maasai house, and its walls are decorated with Maasai beaded necklaces and tribally themed murals.

The lobby is open, spacious and airy. It has a high ceiling with elevated and painted glass forming an atrium above an indoor garden. Both round and tubular calabashes form the suspended chandeliers above walls decorated with a Maasai theme, and comfortable, colourfully cushioned, rough timber furniture above bright, locally woven carpets complete the décor.

Attached to this area is a colourful and vibrant Maasai handicraft market where traditional beadwork and woodcarvings are manufactured, sometimes to the designs requested by our guests. And just beyond this is a well-stocked boutique with a wide variety of souvenirs, books, safari clothing, T-shirts and toiletry items. Leading away from the lobby towards Kilimanjaro there is a bridge over the large, split-level fishpond which leads to the Kibo restaurant and the Mawenzi bar.