Angama Amboseli is one of those rare places where luxury and wilderness meet with absolute ease — a camp where Mount Kilimanjaro watches quietly over every moment.
In this interview, Jeremy Sutton shares his experience of staying at the iconic lodge, from first impressions on the Kimana airstrip to up-close encounters with Amboseli’s famed super tuskers. With candid reflections on the tents, guiding, wildlife, dining and the small touches that define an Angama stay, Jeremy offers a vivid glimpse into what makes this corner of Kenya so extraordinary.
Q: What was your first impression upon arriving at Angama Amboseli?
Jeremy Sutton — So, you arrive at Kimana airstrip, which is about a 10-minute drive from the lodge. As soon as you arrive on the airstrip, you’re met by your private vehicle, and our guide’s name was Daniel. You then go on safari or game drive straight away, before you even arrive at the lodge. The lodge is effectively made up of a series of tents, ultra-luxury glamping tents. So, you have one main tented area, otherwise called the main communal area. Here is the restaurant and the bar. On the other side, there’s another tent where you have the photo gallery, the gift shop and the spa.
To answer the question, my first impression of Angama Amboseli is that it’s incredibly luxurious, especially with its beautiful tents situated in the middle of the bush.
Q: How would you describe the camp’s setting and views — especially with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background?
Jeremy Sutton — Angama Amboseli has 10 tents for guests to stay in, they’re all kind of situated in a sort of horseshoe pattern. So, each tent has its own direct view of Mount Kilimanjaro. We stayed in tent number one, which I feel is the best one because of its location. Imagine the main tent being in the middle of the horseshoe; you have a couple of tents on the right-hand side of the horseshoe, then on the left-hand side, you actually have about eight tents, and the pool is located on that side, further away from where we were staying. Frankly, we didn’t really have time for a swim anyway. But all of the tents are effectively the same.
Q: What type of accommodation did you stay in, and what made it special?
Jeremy Sutton — All of the tents are effectively the same. But what made it special is that every single tent is open to the wild. On your decking area outside the front, the game can just walk on there. Literally, all of the game can just walk onto your decking area. So, it’s completely open, completely wild. Every tent does have a Masaai Warrior for your protection. They all have guns, so there’s no risk for lions to kind of come along—they very much look after you. But all of the accommodation is the same. Same standard, enormous four-poster bed, separate shower room, and living space. It’s all encompassing in one tent.
Q: What were the wildlife sightings like in Amboseli? (Big tuskers, elephants, predators.)
Jeremy Sutton — The big draw is the super tuskers. That’s why we went there. But also, there’s a plethora of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, and lots of birds as well. There are lions there; we didn’t see them, but they do have a pride of 8 lions. Didn’t see any leopard. There are cheetahs, but they’re in Aboseli Park, not Kimana Park.
Q: How were the guides — and what unique experiences or knowledge did they offer?
Jeremy Sutton — The guides were exceptional. Their knowledge of the area was second to none. We did try and track lions, but unfortunately, we didn’t see them. But that’s the nature of safari, you know. It’s quite a big area, so trying to find them is always a challenge. But their knowledge of the area, the game, the birds and everything was incredible. Daniel really made the safari for us—very friendly, such a lovely chap, but he knows his stuff as well.
Q: What activities did you enjoy at the lodge besides game drives?
Jeremy Sutton — Not really much, honestly. We had a pretty incredible bush lunch. Otherwise, we were literally bush driving in the morning, having lunch and a relax, bush driving in the afternoon, having dinner, and then bush driving in the evening. That’s what we were there for. But they do have loads of other activities. There’s a cricket pitch and a football pitch, beading classes with Masaai ladies, and you can even have photography lessons there in their studio. Loads to do at Angama Amboseli, honestly, apart from game driving.
Q: How was the dining experience? Any standout meals?
Jeremy Sutton — We had a candlelit dinner in the gallery. Beautifully designed and set up, with attention to detail. They made it private. They made it special. Romantic. Luxurious. Incredibly nice. The second night we were there, we dined in the main tent—if you want to call it that. Only one other couple was dining there, but almost 15 metres from us. Angama Amboseli made it private and romantic even though we were not the only diners there. The food was incredibly good. Good range of meats and fish and dishes presented in an incredibly nice way. Absolutely incredible.
Q: What aspects of service or small details made the stay feel ultra-luxurious?
Jeremy Sutton — I think it’s just the service, the service itself. They really do take care of you, so they’re thinking about what you want, when you want it, even before you want it. It’s all about the little details. Personalised water bottles, specific items in the mini bar that we asked for, like certain wines and champagnes, perfect dining experiences, the list goes on.
Q: Who would you recommend Angama Amboseli to, and why?
Jeremy Sutton — Everybody, really. It’s good for families—they do have a family tent there (two tents connected). So, you can bring along the younger kids. I always say a safari is more for children 12 and over, but it’s up to you. It’s a great place for multigenerational holidays, you know, bring the in-laws, bring the children, bring everybody. It’s also great for couples, honeymooners, retirees looking for an amazing experience, those into wellness, and especially those who are into photography. It’s a place for everybody.
Q: Best time of year to visit Amboseli?
Jeremy Sutton — The entire year-round is a good time to visit Amboseli. But when we came in, the seasonal rains commenced. So, I would say probably from December through to March, then again from June to November. Just work around the rainy seasons.
Q: How long is the ideal stay?
Jeremy Sutton — Three nights, but you can do four nights.
Q: How easy was the journey from Nairobi or between lodges?
Jeremy Sutton — We flew from Wilson, Nairobi airport, directly to the Kimana airstrip, which is about a 10-minute drive from the lodge. So, incredibly, that journey is about 45 minutes long in total. So easy. We had to fly back to Nairobi Wilson Airport because we wanted to go to Segera, but that’s because we wanted to do Segera next.
But you can fly between Angama Amboseli and Angama Mara directly, not needing to go through Nairobi. You can also opt for a private charter. Essentially, landing where you want to land, when you want to land— it all just depends on budget. Nairobi is sort of like the central hub, so sometimes you might have to go back to Nairobi if you need to fly to another place, that is if private charters are not an option.
If you want to know more about Jeremy’s travels in Kenya, be sure to read about his stay at the incredible Segera Retreat
Angama Amboseli Offers More Than A Safari, More Than A Stay
Jeremy’s time at Angama Amboseli reveals a lodge that delivers far more than a safari — it offers an immersion into comfort, wilderness and thoughtful detail. Whether you are aiming for expansive views of Kilimanjaro, a trip to some of the region’s most legendary super tuskers, or you are simply looking for a place where service feels instinctive, Angama Amboseli is an escape for all travellers.
From seamless travel logistics to world-class guiding, Jeremy’s journey reflects exactly how simple — and memorable — an Amboseli getaway can be.
