Tortilis Camp is a
magical escape from the hustle and bustle of life in
the fast lane. Early European explorers met derision
and disbelief when they reported a snow capped mountain
close to the equator – Mount Kilimanjaro. Feelings of
disbelief and awe hit you as you arrive at Tortilis
Camp, facing this magnificent mountain, as the sun dazzles
the white snowcap. Tortilis Camp is a charming, rustic
tented camp, shaded by a natural forest of Acacia Tortilis
thorn trees after which the camp is named. The trees
and shrubs bustle with bird life, the views seem endless
across the plains to Kilimanjaro and Mount
Meru in Tanzania.
The camp won the British Airways regional
award for ecotourism and has earned an international
reputation for its commitment to the environment with
its rustic simplicity, unobtrusive design and attention
to comfort without compromising the ecosystem. The tents
are large, the emphasis is on service and comfort. Each
tent leads from a bedroom with expansive king-size or
generous twin beds, through a dressing area into modern
bathrooms with pressured hot showers and flush toilets.
Each tent is raised up on a wooden deck and sheltered
by a makuti (thatched) roof overhanging a large verandah,
ideal for an early afternoon siesta…
This is a great place to start a safari,
relax and acclimatise. The food is part of the charm:
North Italian traditional recipes from the owner’s family
cookbook, complimented by delicious salads and herbs
grown in the camp’s own garden.
Here clients enjoy varied game viewing and can also
spend time following the matriarchal elephant herds
from the luxury of open sided safari Land Rovers; or
walk with a trained Maasai guide, sip sundowners on
top of Kitirua hill as the sun sets colouring the snows
of Kilimanjaro pink, bush breakfasts out on the plains
or a visit to one of the Maasai manyattas (villages)
to meet the Maasai women, watch the Morans (young warriors)
dance and experience their age-old existence.
Getting married in Amboseli is an amazing
'bush wedding' option. A simple altar in the shade of
an ancient Tortilis Acacia (umbrella thorn tree), canvas
safari chairs for your guests or hay bales covered with
brightly checked 'shukas' (traditional red Maasai blankets).
In front of you stretches a vast open plain awash with
golden sunlight, dominated by snow-capped Kilimanjaro,
the highest mountain in Africa.
As the guests, groom and ushers arrive
in open sided luxury safari Land Rovers, a line of Maasai
Morani (warriors) and the women from their manyatta
(village) perform a traditional greeting song, rising
to a crescendo as the guests are seated and the bride
arrives. The women follow the bride down the simple
woven matting path leading to the altar and her groom,
then all is still and the marriage ceremony begins.
The lines of Maasai women on one side and Morani move
back and line up silently, some yards away from the
altar.
After the wedding ceremony and address
are complete, the Maasai begin a chant to praise the
newly married couple, Kilimanjaro catches the afternoon
sun on its snow cap, a line of elephants often appear
on the horizon at the end of the afternoon, making their
daily return from the swamps to the saltbushes…
After photographs, the wedding party drives
up to the top of Kitirua Hill for champagne sundowners
and bitings and a stunning view as the sun sets on Kilimanjaro,
turning the sky pink.
Dinner at the lodge, speeches followed
by dancing in the main rondavel (circular sitting room
& bar), overlooked by the resident family of owls
makes a special end to a wonderful day. Staggering down
the hill to your comfortable tent is the only hard part
at the end of it…
For the morning after the night before:
an early morning gamedrive for the hardy followed by
hearty breakfast or get up late in time for Bloody Mary's
by the pool. The bride and groom can leave by safari
vehicle to go to the airstrip and depart for their honeymoon:
at the Coast, in the Maasai Mara or on a walking/camel
safari in the Northern Frontier District…
NB February and March are probably the
best months for clear views of Kilimanjaro and Mount
Meru in Tanzania.
The great Amboseli plains with its parched
alkaline salt pans, strange mirages and oasis of marshes
& lakes is dominated by the glistening majestic
snow cap pf Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,894m/19,340ft).
This is Maasai country, a proud, nomadic people, who
have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. Huge
herds of Elephant and Buffalo are common, together with
Lion and a host of Antelope species.
The Chyulu Hills are the natural border between the
Maasai & the Kamba people and perfect for walking
and riding safaris. On the far side of the hills lies
the Tsavo National Park, bigger than Wales & one
of the world’s largest game sanctuaries.
Amboseli National Park, South Eastern
Kenya
Altitude: 3,280 ft
Climate: Warm dry days, cool nights, low humidity
Location: Amboseli National Park South of Nairobi
Bordering Tanzania Unrivalled views of Kilimanjaro
Winner of the British Airways Regional Award for Ecotourism
(1995)
17 spacious tents, raised on wooden decks & shaded
with makuti (thatched) roofs:
9 with king size beds
8 with twin beds
Spacious shaded verandahs each with a Lamu day bed,
great views & privacy
Swimming pool
Game drives in 4-wheel drive Land Rovers
Guided nature walks
Bush breakfasts
Hilltop sundowners
Excursions to Tsavo West & Chyulu Hills
Gift shop
Massage service
Laundry
Airstrip
Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi
Distance by road approx 31/2 hours from Nairobi
Remarks:
-Minimum Stay: 3 Nights
RATES:
-Rates based on full board, NON-PACKAGE.
-Package Rates are available on request and include:
Game Drives in 4WD open vehicle
Bush Breakfast
Picnics
Sundowners & Soft drinks and
Two local airstrip transfers.
-All rates are inclusive of taxes.
CHILDREN'S POLICY:
-Children under 5 years sharing with adults stay FREE
CANCELLATION POLICY
-Cancellation is subject to a fee charged for bookings
already reserved. Conditions and cancellation penalties
apply.
NB: Prices and
availability are subject to revision without prior notice
owing to currency, tax, levy and seasonal fluctuations.
We also offer safari, car rentals and flight bookings
which we can organise for you with your hotel/lodge
enquiry www.roamingafricasafaris.com
| |
Single |
Double |
Triple |
Period |
Low season |
US$ 288 |
US$ 414 |
N/A |
01/Apr/08-31/May/08 |
Mid season |
US$ 368 |
US$ 575 |
N/A |
01/Jan/08 - 31/Mar/08,01/Jun/08 - 30/Jun/08,01/Oct/08-23/Dec/08 |
High season |
US$ 460 |
US$ 713 |
N/A |
01/Jul/08-30/Sept/08,24/Dec/08-01/Jan/09 |
