Built in 1996 and one of Amboseli’s best-known lodges, Oltukai Lodge lies at the very centre of the park, close to the main swamp area and enjoys stunning views of Africa’s highest mountain and the legendary ’Snows of Kilimanjaro’. 

Facilities

Oltukai Lodge offers a swimming pool and sun-lounger deck, two bars, wildlife library, Maasai dancing (after dinner on alternate evenings), lectures on elephant research, Forex and communications, chapel and clinic. Board games available from reception. 

Location 

Oltukai Lodge stands in Amboseli National Park lies 250 km south (four hours drive, one hour flight time) of Nairobi and close to the Tanzanian border (Namanga 85kms) and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation 

Oltukai Lodge offers 80 chalet-style twin rooms, all with uninterrupted views of either the famous swamps of Amboseli, or Mount Kilimanjaro. Built from local eucalyptus wood, river stone and slate, the chalets are comfortably furnished with ensuite bathrooms and individual terraces. Two rooms have been designed according to EU standards for wheelchair users. The exclusive Kibo Villa is a self-contained log cabin with three luxurious ensuite rooms, roof terrace and Jacuzzi.

Dining and bars 

Oltukai Lodge offers a large dining area, which features sisal tapestries by local artists. There is also a panoramic veranda, where lunch is served. The open-air Elephant Bar offers spectacular views of the swamps, the favourite haunt of the parks many elephant herds. Drinks and snacks are also served on the pool deck. Meals are traditionally served buffet style and will include a broad selection of Kenya, international and local choices. Vegetarian options are always provided and children’s mealtimes and menus can usually be arranged with prior notice.

Family friendly 

Oltukai Lodge welcomes children. Most rooms will accommodate additional beds, children’s mealtimes are offered and baby-sitting services. 

Conferences, weddings and honeymoon

Oltukai Lodge offers its own conference facility, which will accommodate up to 200 guests and is provided with full audio-visual and catering services. 

A popular Kenya conference and event venue, Oltukai Lodge offers a range of conference and event services to include conference rooms, break-out area, conference banqueting, incentive options, and social events catering. The lodge offers a dedicated honeymoon suite and full wedding catering services.

Safari wildlife highlights: lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, zebra, hippo, spotted and striped hyena, giraffe, oryx, wildebeest, gerenuk, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Birds: 425 recorded species.

Activities and attractions 

Typical safari experiences at Oltukai Lodge include: safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Kenya wildlife guides), safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the safari campfire and guided wildlife walks through the bush. Oltukai Lodge also offers ornithological tours, cultural performances and local community visits.  

A particular highlight of a trip to Amboseli National Park is a hot air balloon ride, which typically ascends from its launch site at dawn and travels for around an hour across the plains before descending in a controlled landing to a cooked safari breakfast in the bush. 

Highlights and special features

• Game Drives: Experience the real safari – morning and afternoon game drives through the park with our trained driver-guides. Picnic lunches and sundowners can be provided.
• Guided nature walks and ornithology: Oltukai Lodge is home to over 150 species of birds.
• Visits to Observation Hill: One of the high points of the park, Observation Hill towers above a small car park and its summit is accessed by a winding stone stairway. Once at the top the views are tremendous, the photo opportunities countless and, as the sun begins its descent, it provides one of East Africa’s finest sundowner venues. 
• Game Drives: Experience the real safari – morning and afternoon game drives through the park with our trained driver-guides. Picnic lunches and sundowners can be provided.
• Campfire cocktails: Oltukai Lodge stages nightly safari campfire cocktails.
• Maasai dance: Oltukai Lodge offers authentic Maasai dance displays.
• Champagne breakfast: Served within Oltukai Lodge’s private wilderness area, home of the Ol Tukai herd of elephants.