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Tortilis Camp
Tortilis Camp
Tortilis Camp
Tortilis Camp

About Tortilis Camp

Just outside the southern boundary of Amboseli National Park, Tortilis is named after the Acacia tortilis tree.

The trees dominate the area and this luxury safari camp clusters around a gentle rise overlooking lightly wooded plains. When the skies over Kilimanjaro are clear, there are fantastic views of the mountain from the lounge and dining area. The camp is located in the 120 square-kilometre Kitirua Conservancy, which is exclusive to guests of Tortilis.

With its glorious views of Kilimanjaro, well-appointed tents and slightly elevated central areas, Tortilis is one of the Amboseli ecosystem's best bases. Having access in minutes to its own exclusive conservancy makes this one of the region's top choices.

Our view

With its glorious views of Kilimanjaro, well-appointed tents and slightly elevated central areas, Tortilis is one of the Amboseli ecosystem's best bases. Having access in minutes to its own exclusive conservancy makes this one of the region's top choices.

Parita Masani

Parita Masani

Country manager: Kenya

Accommodation

16 tents

Children

Best for 8+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Tortilis Camp

37 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


95%
37 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
29
Good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Neil fromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 26 Feb 2025, 2 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"This camp had great views of Kilimanjaro. Staff all very friendly. …" Read Neil ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Alice Peng fromSeattle

Arrived 8 Feb 2025, 2 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"The room was very comfortable. Our Safari guide Solomon was amazing! …" Read Alice Peng ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr and Mrs PfromHants

Arrived 28 Jan 2025, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"Great camp, relaxed and comfortable - Food and staff very good. …" Read Dr and Mrs P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr G.fromWinnersh

Arrived 10 Jan 2025, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"The guiding here was good …" Read Mr G.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

jocelin fromflorida

Arrived 17 Jan 2025, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"Beautiful property, very nice rooms, staff excellent and the guiding fantastic. …" Read jocelin ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr P.fromUSA

Arrived 9 Jan 2025, 10 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"The facilities are top-notch and everyone is always ready to help.. …" Read Mr P.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms. R fromCanada

Arrived 15 Sep 2024, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"We were offered the private house. It was a treat having our own pool. …" Read Ms. R ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mrs A. & Ms. KfromCanada

Arrived 15 Sep 2024, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"Tortilis was a wonderful experience. Our guides were beyond excellent. …" Read Mrs A. & Ms. K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr L & Mrs OfromPA, USA

Arrived 11 May 2024, 4 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"The lodge staff and food......simply outstanding. …" Read Mr L & Mrs O’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr C & Mr PfromBC

Arrived 23 Mar 2024, 3 nights

"Tortilis Camp review"

"staff were very friendly and food was excellent. …" Read Dr C & Mr P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Tortilis Camp reviews

Safaris visiting Tortilis Camp

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Black Kite Fly-in Safari

10 days • 4 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

Explore Kenya in-depth with visits to Nairobi and Meru national parks, the Mara Conservancies and Amboseli. Nestled in remoter regions, four camps provide fantastic access to rich game, a range of activities and beautifully diverse landscapes.

Visiting Nairobi, Mara Conservancies and 2 other areas

US$10,410 - US$14,150 per person

Read more about the Black Kite Fly-in Safari

Tortilis Camp: Our full report

Just outside the southern boundary of Amboseli National Park, Tortilis is named after the Acacia tortilis tree.

The trees dominate the area and this luxury safari camp clusters around a gentle rise overlooking lightly wooded plains. When the skies over Kilimanjaro are clear, there are fantastic views of the mountain from the lounge and dining area. The camp is located in the 120 square-kilometre Kitirua Conservancy, which is exclusive to guests of Tortilis.

Part of the Elewana collection of properties, which includes Elephant Pepper, Elsa’s Kopje and Lewa Safari Camp, Tortilis is a well-established camp with a long heritage. Arriving into the reception area, you're greeted with lovely views across the bush below you and out towards Kilimanjaro. The high-ceilinged, thatched lounge and dining area are open-sided to make the most of the views, decorated in earthy hues and set with chunky wooden furniture. The area makes for a comfortable, atmospheric spot to enjoy meals or relax after a day on safari.

Below the main areas, there's a sundowner fire pit and beyond, down the slope, is the main swimming pool, tucked among mature gardens. There's a number of loungers and a poolside bar here too.

The camp’s 16 tented rooms are set among the acacia trees and all look out in the direction of Kilimanjaro. Each tent has a makuti thatch roof, sheltering the bedroom and ensuite bathroom to the rear. The tents are traditional in style, with the usual lockable wooden chest and writing desk. All of them can be configured either as doubles (with king beds) or as twins. At the front of each tent, the paved terrace, furnished with a day bed and lounge chairs, is a perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee.

To the other side of the main areas and completely separate from the rest of the rooms, Tortilis has a family tent and private house. These accommodations are very well designed and make excellent choices for families, with enough separation for everyone to have their own space and en-suite bathrooms, while still being under one roof. The family tent has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a large terrace to the front. The private house is larger, comprising a double room, a twin or triple room, plus a sitting/dining area. The family tent and private house share a private swimming pool and have possibly the best views of Kilimanjaro in camp.

Activities at Tortilis are predominantly game drives, both in the private conservancy and in Amboseli National Park. This area is particularly famed for its large elephant population, with more than 1,000 individuals in the ecosystem, including some of Africa’s most impressive big tuskers. In the dry season, it’s not uncommon to encounter hundreds of elephants, in many different families, in just one vista while out on a game drive. Amboseli is also known for its birdlife, as the lakes and wetlands provide an ideal habitat in what is essentially a dry region.

It's worth noting that Tortilis is around 45 minutes drive from some of the most productive areas of the park around the swamps, and as the park's opening hours are strictly enforced, afternoon drives in the park have to leave well before sunset. You can still drive after 6pm in the Kitirua Conservancy itself. As a result, game drives from Tortilis often focus heavily on long, morning drives, sometimes with a bush breakfast half-way through. The early mornings are a wonderful time to be out in the park, but your sundowners are likely to take place close to camp.

As well as game drives, and night drives, Tortilis offers guided walking in Kitirua Conservancy as well as visits to a local Maasai community just outside the park (a donation is made to the village – you can ask the camp management for guidance). Back at camp, spa treatments are also available at additional cost.

Geographics

Location
Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
3 nights
Directions
Most guests fly into Amboseli Airstrip, in the heart of the park, and then to Tortilis while game-driving over the course of a couple of hours. A direct drive to or from the airstrip takes around 45 minutes. Tortilis also has its own private airstrip for charters next to the camp.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
Meals at Tortilis are very good, based partly around produce grown in Tortilis' own vegetable garden, and with a light Italian influence. Meals are served at individual tables in the central dining and lounge area at the top of the low hill.

You might well choose to have breakfast out in the bush, but if you're in camp they offer a good spread of cold options such as yoghurt, cereals, fruit and cheese and cold meat. There is a chef on hand to cook your eggs to order, as well as pancakes and other specials of the day.

Lunch begins with a plated starter and then is generally a buffet of hot and cold dishes. When we last stayed, we enjoyed a selection of homemade pizzas, spaghetti with meatballs and aubergine parmigiana, which were accompanied by spinach roulade, three bean salad and cucumber salad. The variety of dishes on offer made lunch our favourite meal of our stay.

Dinner is a three course menu, with a number of choices for each course. We enjoyed the butternut soup and fresh bread, steak with peppercorn sauce and vegetables, finished with a crème brulée.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room Service is not possible.
Drinks included
Most drinks are included in stays at Tortilis, with the exception of premium wines and spirits.

Special interests

Birdwatching
Situated just outside Amboseli National Park, Tortilis offers quick access into Kitirua Conservancy with 400-plus bird species. The Amboseli ecosytem’s marshes provide ideal habitats, while the terraces around the camp offer great spots to watch birds.
See ideas for Birdwatching in Kenya
Private villas & houses
With some of the best views available of Kilimanjaro Tortilis private house consists of two bedrooms, a lounge area and a private pool shared with the camp's family tent. One of the bedrooms can be made into a twin or triple, making this suitable for larger families or groups.
See ideas for Private villas & houses in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome at Tortilis.
Property’s age restrictions
There are no age restrictions.
Special activities & services
No special activities or services are in place for children, but the managers are happy to arrange activities with the Maasai around camp.
Equipment
None.
Generally recommended for children
Tortilis has excellent family rooms and the swimming pools and individual dining are great for families. We feel that the camp is best suited to slightly older children who will enjoy the facilities and the wildlife.
Notes
The camp is fenced but it is still best that children are always supervised by their parents. There are no lifeguards at the swimming pools.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Tortilis Camp

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Tortilis Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Elephant

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Buffalo

97% success

Giraffe

97% success

Spotted Hyena

86% success

Lion

83% success

Cheetah

57% success

Eland

46% success

Oryx

40% success

Striped Hyena

25% success

Gerenuk

20% success

Wild dog

17% success

Aardvark

8% success

Leopard

8% success

Pangolin

8% success

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back-up generator and battery-charging facilities in all rooms.
Communications
WiFi is available throughout camp and there is good cellphone reception.
TV & radio
There is a television in the staff quarters if you should happen to want to watch a big sporting event.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
The bathrooms are fully plumbed-in.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Tortilis has links with the Flying Doctor service, as well as its own airstrip for emergency evacuations. There is a clinic 20 minutes away that can deal with minor issues.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
The camp is fenced so guests can walk around on their own, in daylight or when it’s dark. There are askaris on duty 24 hours a day.
Fire safety
There is a firebreak around camp and fire extinguishers, hoses and klaxons throughout camp.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included and is hand washed and line dried. Underwear is not accepted.
Money
There are safes in the bedrooms and the camp can offer limited currency exchange.
Accepted payment on location
All major credit cards are accepted, with no surcharge. Payment can be taken in US dollars, GB pounds, Euros or Kenya shillings.

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Tortilis Camp's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Tortilis Camp.


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When to go to Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Tortilis Camp in Amboseli and the Chyulu Hills


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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