Elewana Tortilis Camp

ACCOMMODATION

Rooms
Elewana Tortilis Camp has sixteen standard tents, each built onto a solid base with a private verandah to the front and a plumbed bathroom to the rear including a toilet and shower. All tents face outwards from camp, though only nine actually face Mount Kilimanjaro. On the other side of the hill on which the central areas are located there are two private accommodation units (the Family Tent and Private House) which share the use of a second pool. Both are two bedroomed, the Family Tent has a short, raised covered walkway linking the two tented rooms whilst the Private House has an open lounge area between the two bedrooms.

Central Areas
The main lounge, bar and dining area are built from stone and thatch and sit on top of a small hill with magnificent views over a floodlit waterhole towards Mount Kilimanjaro. The tents below are reached by stone pathways and there is a swimming pool and spa centre nestled in the woodland behind the tents. Please note there is a noticeable climb up to the central areas from the tents and pool.

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
Amboseli National Park covers an area of 3,200 sq. km. lying at an altitude of nearly 4,000′ at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. The mountain makes a scenic backdrop for photographing the variety of animals that are seen here, including elephant (in big numbers, especially during the main dry season from July to October), buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, giraffe, eland, Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, Burchell’s zebra, impala, waterbuck, wildebeest, warthog, etc. Birds are abundant, including white-backed duck, lesser jacana, two-banded courser, short-tailed lark, blue-capped cordon bleu and the local speciality, the Taveta golden weaver.

Apart from a few patches of acacia woodland, the terrain in Amboseli consists mainly of scrub and fragile saline grass as the dry, volcanic ash will support little more. The melting snows of Kilimanjaro feed rivers and springs which in turn feed Amboseli’s permanent swamps and the seasonal lake which holds water for a few weeks at the end of the long rains. The Maasai people are very much a part of life in Amboseli and they graze their cattle in the area surrounding the National Park.

Whilst the main areas of the park can be busy with tourists, Tortilis is located outside the park on a small private concession which allows some exclusivity and some flexibility with activities.

Activities
The main activity from Tortilis is game drives into the park which are generally extremely productive. Night drives are also possible on the way back to camp after sunset drinks on their private concession only.

Walking safaris may also be undertaken on their concession area outside the park and hosted by local Maasai guides. The walks are fun and informative and afford the well needed chance to stretch your legs! Cultural visits to local Maasai villages are also offered (small extra cost required).

Seasons
Elewana Tortilis Camp is open all year round. Whilst birding is superb during the summer months (November to April), the best time for game viewing, especially the elephants, is from July to October.