Tortilis Camp is an award-winning luxury tented camp in Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is best known for unrivalled views of Kilimanjaro and its elephant population - over 1,000 elephant in the Park eco-system, which are some of the biggest elephant in Africa.
Tortilis Camp is named after the flat topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and is situated just outside the park in Kitirua Conservancy, one of Amboseli's few remaining areas of unspoilt woodland, with the majestic backdrop of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Tortilis Camp has 16 spacious tents, all with elegant ensuite bathrooms with hot showers and modern flush toilets. Each tent leads from a wooden floored bedroom with expansive king-size or generous twin beds, through a dressing area into the modern bathroom. Tents are set on raised wooden decks and sheltered by a makuti (thatched) roof overhanging a large verandah, ideal for an early afternoon siesta. There is also a family house and a family tent, each with 2 ensuite bedrooms, a private seating and dining area and a veranda.
The main building houses a lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs and with magnificent view of Kilimanjaro. Tortilis has a large organic vegetable garden and serves homemade salads, vegetables, freshly made pasta and baked breads. Bush meals and sundowners are popular.
The camp won the British Airways 'Tourism forTomorrow' award for its ecotourism practices and has earned an international reputation for its commitment to the environment with its rustic simplicity, unobtrusive design and attention to detail and comfort without compromising the ecosystem. The camp also has close links with the local community, providing training and work and also helping to fund the building of local schools and clinics.
During the day, guests can take game drives in an open 4WD vehicle or go for a guided walk outside the park with one of the expert Maasai guides. The camp is happy to arrange visits to local villages. After a busy day, guests can relax on their own veranda enjoying the views, chat over a drink in the bar or take a cooling dip in the swimming pool.
Accolades for Tortilis Camp
Silver Eco-rating Certification - Ecotourism Kenya 2011-2012
Finalist Best Eco Property, Best Cusine and Best Safari Guiding Team - The Good Safari Guide 2011
Nominee Kenya's Leading Safari Lodge - World Travel Awards 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
World's Best Awards Top 100 - Travel & Leisure Magazine 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Fair Trade / Responsible Travel:
More than 60% of Tortilis's staff come from the local community and are trained at the camp. Tortilis Camp leases 30,000 acres from the local community creating the 'Kitirua Conservancy'. This benefits the local community and helps preserve an important part of the Amboseli eco-system. Tortilis has contributed funds to build Esiteti Primary School, which opened in August 2011 and continues to support the school in its development. The camp supports the African Conservation Centre in its rangeland rehabilitation research project.
