SOROI AMBOSELI – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Soroi Amboseli is set inside Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, where open plains, wetlands and areas of woodland sit beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain may provide the familiar backdrop, but it is the combination of permanent water, open country and large concentrations of wildlife that makes Amboseli such a rewarding place to spend time. Elephants are particularly important here, with family groups regularly moving between the wetlands and surrounding plains.

The camp occupies a forested area within the national park, with views towards both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. This gives it a rather different immediate setting from the open plains normally associated with photographs of Amboseli: guests are staying amongst mature trees while still having access to the wider views and wildlife for which the park is known.

Wildlife viewing centres on the contrasting habitats within Amboseli. The wetlands attract elephants, buffalo and hippo, while zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and other plains game move through the drier areas. Lions, cheetahs and other predators are also present, and the mixture of wetlands, grassland and woodland supports more than 400 recorded bird species.

For photographers, the attraction is easy to understand without embellishment. Amboseli’s relatively open terrain makes wildlife easier to observe, elephants are frequently encountered in family groups, and on clear days Kilimanjaro provides a backdrop that immediately identifies where the photograph was taken. Early mornings are particularly important, both for wildlife activity and because the mountain is often clearer before cloud develops later in the day.

LOCATION

Soroi Amboseli is located within the Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya.  Access is either via a light aircraft flight to Amboseli Airstrip from Wilson Airport with a 20 minute drive into camp, or a 4-5 hour road transfer part of a larger itinerary.

CAMP

Soroi Amboseli has 16 tented units: 13 double luxury tents, one larger Starbed/Deluxe Suite and two two-bedroom family units. The tents are set beneath canvas roofs within the forested site, with private decks facing out towards the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the accommodation provides substantial beds, seating and en-suite bathrooms, while the private decks provide somewhere to sit outside between game drives. Two tents and the public areas have been designed for wheelchair access, an important practical detail for travellers for whom accessibility needs to be considered when planning a safari.

The shared areas include indoor and outdoor dining, an infinity pool, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a private bush spa. The camp operates primarily on solar power, supported by a backup generator, and provides 24-hour electricity and Wi-Fi.

ACTIVITIES

Soroi Amboseli is situated within Amboseli National Park, close to Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania. Kilimanjaro lies across that border in Tanzania, but its northern slopes dominate the view from much of the park and are an important part of the Amboseli landscape.

The park itself is relatively compact, allowing game drives to move between its principal habitats without spending long periods simply travelling from one area to another. Seasonal lake beds and dry plains contrast with permanent swamps fed by underground water originating on Kilimanjaro, helping explain why substantial numbers of animals remain in Amboseli even during dry periods.

Soroi’s position inside the national park means game viewing begins from the camp rather than requiring a journey from accommodation outside the park gates. It also allows guests to make good use of the early morning and late afternoon periods when temperatures are lower and wildlife is often more active.

Game Drives – Amboseli’s open plains and permanent wetlands provide excellent opportunities to watch wildlife throughout the year. Elephants are particularly important here, often moving in family groups between the swamps and drier plains, while buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, lion and cheetah are among the other species regularly encountered. Soroi uses open 4×4 vehicles, with morning drives particularly useful when clear views of Kilimanjaro are a priority.

Elephants of Amboseli – Amboseli is one of the best places in Africa to spend time observing wild elephants. Decades of research have allowed many individuals and family groups to be identified and their relationships followed over generations. The open landscape frequently provides opportunities to watch complete family groups feeding, travelling and interacting rather than simply catching a brief sighting of an individual animal.

Birdwatching – More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Amboseli. The combination of wetlands, open grassland, acacia woodland and drier country creates habitats for waterbirds, raptors and numerous smaller species. The swamps are particularly productive, with pelicans, herons, egrets and other waterbirds gathering around the permanent water.

Walking Safaris – Guided walks take place outside the national park boundary, accompanied by an armed ranger. Rather than concentrating on the larger animals seen from a vehicle, walks provide time to look at tracks, dung, plants, bones and some of the smaller details that explain what has been moving through the landscape. Walks normally last between two and three hours, although shorter options can be arranged.

Hot Air Ballooning – Early-morning balloon flights provide an aerial view of Amboseli’s plains, wetlands and seasonal lake beds. From above, the contrast between the dry landscape and the permanent swamps becomes particularly clear, while elephant herds and other wildlife can sometimes be seen moving across the plains below.

Maasai Community Visits – Visits to a local Maasai community provide an opportunity to learn about life in the region beyond the national park. Local hosts introduce aspects of Maasai homes, livestock, beadwork and traditions, giving some context to the communities that have lived alongside Amboseli’s wildlife for generations.

Bush Breakfasts, Dinners and Sundowners – Meals and drinks can be arranged away from camp at selected locations in the surrounding landscape. An early game drive can be followed by breakfast in the bush, while sundowners provide time to stop during an afternoon drive rather than immediately returning to camp as the light changes.

Spa Treatments – Soroi Amboseli has a small bush spa offering treatments using locally sourced oils. This provides a quieter option between game drives, particularly during the middle of the day when wildlife activity and temperatures often make time at camp a natural part of the safari routine.

GIVING BACK

Soroi Amboseli forms part of the Soroi Collection’s wider community and conservation programme. Across its Kenyan properties, Soroi supports initiatives including education, healthcare, employment, tree planting and wildlife conservation, while locally produced beadwork is sold through its camps and lodges.

Soroi states that approximately 70% of its staff across the collection come from local communities. Its wider community programme has also included scholarships and bursaries, educational visits, medical and dental clinics and support for schools.

For Amboseli specifically, Soroi identifies habitat conservation and support for surrounding Maasai communities as priorities. However, rather than attributing projects from elsewhere in the Soroi portfolio specifically to this camp, it is more accurate to say that a stay contributes to the collection’s broader conservation and community work in Kenya.

SOROI CAMP IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE CAMP HAS WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND HAS TWO TWO-BEDROOM FAMILY TENTS.