In Kenya, conservation of natural resources and wildlife and the involvement and development of local communities go hand-in-hand. Such sustainability found within Kenya’s camps allow them to provide authentic experiences. We invite you to explore Angama's three properties, that offer unique experiences for their travelers and has committed to conserving Kenya’s natural resources and wildlife. They are also intimately involved in the development of their local communities. 

Angama Mara 

Nicky and Steve Fitzgerald have a long history in the tourism industry. Together, the African tourism pioneers helped establish more 60 luxury safari properties in Africa and India. Angama Mara, the first Angama property, represents the culmination of their 30-year career. 

At Angama Mara, beauty doesn’t cover it. The lodge sits suspended on the edge of the Rift Valley’s Ololoolo Escarpment on one of Africa’s most sought-after parcels of land. As such, it boasts private, unrestricted access and wraparound vistas. No wonder Hollywood chose this exact location to film scenes for “Out of Africa.” In order to take advantage of those incredible views, Angama Mara’s 30 suites have end-to-end glass frontage windows. 

Guests of Angama Mara have a ton of activities at their disposal. However, you also don’t have to do anything at all. There are no set schedules, so you can pack your stay full of safari drives, hot air balloon rides, walking safaris, and Maasai village tours. Or you can simply view the elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, and plains game from your deck. And trust us, you will see game from your deck. 

Game viewing is obviously extraordinary. But what makes Angama Mara truly special is its joyful team of Kenyans, their attention to detail, and genuine hospitality. You can feel the enthusiastic service of each safari guide, chef, butler, housekeeper, and manager throughout the property. 

Angama Amboseli

With Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop, the setting of Angama Amboseli exceeds expectations. The lodge is built from the gifts of the area, using dried out elephant dung mixed with cement- an ancient African building technique. The entire lodge is inspired by the elephants as the region is often referred to as "the land of the giants" due to the prolific elephant population. The herds are relaxed and allow for close sightings, even with their calves!

Amboseli, a luxury safari retreat within a private game reserve, offers unrestricted game viewing, night drives, and sunrise safaris in your PJs, providing guests with newfound freedom and a luxurious escape amidst the bush. The lodge has ten guests suites that compliment the area by comprising of canvas, woven grasses, and stone walls. The neutral colors and floor-to-ceiling screen doors transport guests into the wild from the comfort of their bed. Each suite has an uninterrupted view of Mount Kilimanjaro, no matter which part of it you are in.

Activities at Ambolesi include game drives at anytime of day (or night) through the Kimana Sanctuary, and make sure to keep an eye out for the sanctuary's famed 'super tuskers'. These elephants bare some of the largest tusks in the world, up to 100 lbs, and scrape they ground as they walk. The Ambolesi National Park is a 45 minute drive from the lodge and can be easily combined with game drives. Ambolesi lodge also offers walking safaris to heighten guests' senses and can end with a lovely bush breakfast or picnic lunch in the shade of a Fever Tree.

Angama Safari Camp

Angama Safari Camp takes camping to another level. The canvas tents add a level of excitement knowing guests are fully immersed in the bush, but luxury isn't compromised. The camp moves around the Mara Triangle following the migration from July to September providing guests with optimal migration viewing before the crowds arrive. 

Guests will forget they're that they are camping with all that Angama Safari Camp has to offer. Each en-suite tent's amenities include double-head showers with running hot water, flushing toilets, and fresh ice per request. The camp holds only up to eight guests across four tents which creates a private and personalized stay. The camp is staffed with a host, butler, chef, tent steward, and safari guides that will help plan every detail of the day to meet guests' preferences. 

Located inside the national park, the camp allows for full day safaris with a picnic lunch, or a relaxing afternoon watching game from your tent. Angama Safari Camp also offers a sunrise hot air balloon ride above the Mara followed by a champagne breakfast under a tree. 

Making an Impact

Angama's team adopted Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of “doing well by doing good.” The best way to make a significant and meaningful impact on the neighboring communities and wildlife is to run a profitable business. By doing so, Angama can invest in community and conservation projects in the local communities. Through these beliefs, the Angama Foundation was started to aid in Conservation, Education, and Healthcare. Projects are identified and prioritized together with the lodges’ neighboring communities, the Conservancies, and NGOs.

Conservation: Conservation takes a forefront position for the foundation to protect the ecosystems the lodges are based in to ensure the hospitality/safari business can continue so that the foundation can also continue its work. The major conservation partners that Angama works with are Mara Conservancy in the Maasai Mara and the Big Life Foundation in Amboseli. 

Education: The Angama properties are surrounded by several different schools with varying levels of supplies and support. The foundation analyzes the primary needs, such as classrooms, food, running water and security and attends to those first. Once these needs are met, the foundation begins to explore learning materials and digital / eLearning initiatives. 

Healthcare: In the Mara, the entire staff village, including a community-owned dukka and clinic, was built utilizing knowledge from the 60 lodges Nicky and Steve built across Africa and India. Furthermore, they purify and bottle all drinking water for guests and staff on site. In Ambolesi, there are several clinics and a private hospital that serves the town of Kimana. The next project features educated the locals of healthy lifestyle practices.

Each guest at Angama contributes a USD $20 per night donation to the Angama Foundation. 

Interview with Nicky Fitzgerald

Founder discusses the first Angama property, Anagma Mara

• What was the inspiration for Angama Mara? 

There were three sources of inspiration when planning Angama Mara: guests to be delighted at all costs all of the time; over and above making a profit, the business should make many small but meaningful and sustainable differences to the community and the Conservancy; and celebrate our fantastic view from every vantage possible.

• What is your favorite time of year at Angama Mara? 

That’s a tricky question but my favorite months are April and May – the game is FANTASTIC, the Mara is impossibly green, rainbows arch across the sky most afternoons, the Reserve is all yours to enjoy and the rates are the best value in the whole year. Doesn’t get better than that. 

• Describe a perfect day at Angama Mara? 

That’s easy: wake up in time to watch the hot air balloons float by at sunrise whilst enjoying a cappuccino delivered by your butler; set off on safari at around 7am with a picnic breakfast and lunch on board; find a fig tree in the middle of nowhere for breakfast; continue bumbling along down to the Tanzanian border (you won’t see another soul); jump into Tanzania just for a moment just because you can; slowly start winding your way up the Mara River and stop for lunch at a hippo pool; bumble along some more (and there is a good chance mid-afternoon of watching a serval hunting) and up the hill and back to the lodge you go. Afternoon tea and a massage will be waiting followed by a quick siesta before a BBQ dinner in the forest, just a five-minute drive from the lodge. Oh, and did I say you would have probably bagged the Big Five, too. The best of days.

• What is something you want guests to take away from their stay at Angama Mara? 

Reading all the emails and reviews we receive from guests what they treasure the most after their safari is the bottomless well of kindness they have received from the Kenyans who cared for them. They thought they came for the animals but what they promise to return for are the people. And we also hope that whilst they travel through these beautiful corners of Africa they will take home an appreciation of the fragility of these wild places and feel happy that just by coming here they would have made a small difference in ensuring these places endure for next generations of communities, wildlife, and travelers. 

To make a Kenya safari your next Ker & Downey journey, contact your Luxury Travel Consultant. Stay up to date on all our online content by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and X.