Elewana Tortilis Camp

This was my wife's first Safari experience, but my third; it surpassed both my previous ones. Our guide, Juma, met us at the airstrip (where we had to buzz the runway first, to clear some zebras!) and incorporated a game drive from there to the camp, during which we were overwhelmed by the wildlife - all before we'd even arrived! We were met with a refreshing drink and given comprehensive information about the camp and its arrangements. We were taken to our 'tent', where our luggage had preceded us; we were impressed by the huge bed and generous bathroom. The lounge & dining area had no walls, so were open to the spectacular view, dominated by Mt Kilimanjaro (when visible, which was only mornings & evenings) above the clouds. The food was absolutely first class. The morning and evening game drives were a revelation - Juma was informative and entertaining; we saw all we wanted to see, many times over, often so close there was no need for a telephoto lens. Juma would manoevre the vehicle so that we could get our photos of elephants etc with Kilimanjaro beyond. The grounds of the camp were a delight - a swimming pool, and a vegetable garden that the staff were keen to show us round. Sundowners were the order of the day, when we could leave the vehicle as we were outside the main reserve - and a surprise bush breakfast!

Great place we hit it in the wet season so animals were not a common sight, that being said we saw some rare ones from a bright green chameleon (well at the moment) to a cheetah with 5 cubs. Loads of elephants, wildebeest, hyena, hippos, and lions. We are not birders but definitely an abundance of them.Our guide Ali was amazing absolutely lovely man. Grahame and Candy run a lovely lodge. Food was great, and the staff fabulous. Don’t fear the tents very homey. Water was there in abundance has they had a reverse osmosis system which was great. Candy put a nice feminine touch on every detail down to shampoo that is good for may go women. I highly recommend!!! I would make only one suggestion netting the beds.

Sitting in Nairobi Airport waiting for my flight home, I feel I must right about the six days I just spent at Tortilis Camp Elewana. Being a professional photographer, I have now visited 8 Safari lodges across SA, Tanzania and Kenya. Tortilis stands out as the one of my best experiences in Africa. It was simply magical. From the amazing vibe you get as soon as you are welcomed by Graham and Candy, to all the friendly and accommodating staff that cater to your every need. The lodge itself is perfectly located allowing game drives in both the national park and the conservancy (where the dry lake bed is located). The game drives are the best I’ve experienced led by our guide and driver John. An absolute terrific guy who has the eyes of an eagle. During our stay he was able to find us unbelievable photography opportunities each and every drive. From ostrich eggs hatching before our eyes, to cheetahs with cubs, Lions with cubs, flamingos and of course the many elephant herds. We even had the chance to meet the famous Craig! I recommend going during the dry season in order to see more wildlife. An overall spectacular experience with many great surprises I couldn’t even imagine.

We had an hour and a half game drive en route to the hotel and saw lots of elephants (close up), wildebeest, buffalo, various gazelles, flamingos and other birds, zebras, giraffes and wart hogs. We were warmly greeted by Graeme and Candy - a delightful couple from Scotland who run this wonderful property. The room was great as was the bathroom and patio area. Our housekeeper looked after us well with early morning hot drinks and some laundry too. The food was great, buffet style for breakfast and lunch and a choice from a set menu for dinner. They’d set up for sundowner drinks on our last evening with nibbles and seats but unfortunately an unlikely downpour put an end to it, but how lovely the set up was. We also had a bush breakfast one morning which was lovely and a picnic breakfast the next morning so we could continue straight from our game drive to visit the Masai village. What an interesting and humbling experience that was. If you visit this camp I highly recommend visiting here. Dancing and talking with these lovely people and learning about how they live and how happy and healthy they are is now etched in my brain forever. Our guide for the game drives was JP who was a smashing guy and we saw all of the animals as mentioned previously. Sadly we didn’t get to see any big cats but other guests did.. it’s just how it goes sometimes. The clouds cleared on our departure to give us a decent view of Kilimanjaro which was a great farewell. Nothing negative to report at all.

Our stay at the Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli was nothing short of extraordinary. This beautiful property is thoughtfully designed, with spacious and lovingly crafted accommodations that seamlessly blend into the natural surroundings. One of the highlights of the camp is the breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro, which provides a stunning backdrop to every moment. The on-site waterhole adds to the magic, offering constant entertainment as wildlife comes and goes—a truly mesmerizing experience. The camp’s communal spaces are equally impressive. The cozy seating areas by the bar and the dining area with panoramic views are perfect for relaxing and taking in the scenery. We particularly loved the dedicated firepit, which made for an ideal spot to stargaze under the African sky—a magical way to end each day. The availability of binoculars is a thoughtful touch, enhancing the wildlife and landscape experience. A standout memory for us was the perfectly organized breakfast in the wild. Enjoying a delicious meal surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature was an unforgettable highlight of our stay. The staff deserve special recognition for their exceptional hospitality. Every team member was incredibly friendly, attentive, and humorous, making both adults and children feel completely at ease. The camp is very child-friendly, with staff going out of their way to ensure that younger guests are well cared for and entertained. The safari guides were outstanding—highly knowledgeable, professional, and passionate about sharing their expertise. They truly elevated the game drives into unforgettable adventures. The food at the camp was superb, with a wonderful selection catering to all tastes, including children and vegetarians. Each meal was beautifully arranged, and the cocktails were nothing short of fantastic. Families will also appreciate the private pool, offering a great place to relax in between activities. Overall, our stay at Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli was an exceptional and unique experience. From the stunning location and luxurious facilities to the warm hospitality and world-class safari adventures, every detail contributed to an unforgettable visit. Highly recommended!