Destinations Services Limited

Tortilis Camp is a luxury tented camp located in Amboseli. Amboseli is best known for its unrivalled views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the large herds of elephants. Amboseli has got over 1000 elephants in the parks ecosystem. This is the largest in Africa. Tortilis camp gets its name from the Acacia Tortilis and umbrella thorn tree. It is situated in one of Amboseli's areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland with the majestic back drop of the world's free standing highest mountain. Guests at Tortilis have access to both the Amboseli National Park and a 30,000 acre private game concession adjoining the park. Wildlife that can be spotted are Lions, Cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeest and of course the giants, elephants.

What makes this camp unique?

1. Unrivalled views of Mt.Kilimanjaro – this elegant small lodge is nestled on the side of Limbarishi Hill with magnificent views of Mt.Kilimanjaro across the plains.
2. Habituated Elephant herds-there are elephant families that have been closely monitored and studied by renowned researcher Cynthia Moss. The guides at Tortilis know the families very well and their histories intimately
3. Location-Tortilis has an access to both Amboseli National Park and a 30000 acre private game concession. This makes activities at the camp to be taken in privacy
4. Highly qualified guides- The guides at Tortilis Camp are highly qualified with having bronze level qualification from KPSGA (Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association). Languages spoken by the guides are English and Kiswahili. There is one guide who speaks basic Japanese.

Accommodation

Accommodation at Tortilis camp consists of tents which are large and spacious with king or twin beds and elegant ensuite bathrooms. Tortilis has 17 spacious ensuite tents of which 9 are doubles and 8 are twin tents. It also has 1 family house which consists of 1 double and 1 twin room with ensuite bedrooms and a private sitting room. All rooms can fit one extra bed for children under the age of 16 years. The camp uses for its electricity a generator as well as solar power.

The camp has been awarded various awards:

1. 500 Best Hotels in the World-Travel & Leisure Magazine, 2008
2. Conde’ Nast Traveller Gold List 2008
3. Conde’ Nast Traveller Gold List 2006-Best for Service in Africa
4. Conde’ Nast Traveller Gold List 2005
5. British Airways Regional Award for Ecotourism
6. Certificate of Merit & Recognition from Friends of Conservation(Kenya)
7. Certificate of Accreditation from the Ecotourism Society of Kenya ( ESOK)

Activities

1. Game Drives – Game drives at Tortilis Camp is done in 4x4 vehicles. Tortilis has 7 4x4 vehicles of which 6 are Land cruisers with window seats and 1 Land Rover 101 with 7 window seats. All the vehicles have open sides for you to enjoy the game drive.
2. Guided Bush Walks
3. Swimming Pool
4. Bush Breakfasts
5. Sundowners
6. Massages
7. Cultural Visits - There are many authentic Maasai villages that one can visit to appreciate and learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Maasai people.
8. Visit to Cynthia Moss’s Elephant Research Base - An exclusive visit to the Research base can be organized so that you see what goes on in tracking elephant families.

Responsible Tourism

1. Amboseli Tsavo Game Scout Association recruits and trains local Maasai men to become game scouts with the aim to help them achieve security of their environment and to educate their people about wildlife and tourism benefits. Its aim is to also ensure the continued safety and security of the flora and fauna of Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems. Tortilis camp pays a bed night fee and gives practical support to ATSGA.
2. Unlimited supply of water is provided to the community by the camp and also the shop is operated by the staff of the camp for the benefit of the community
3. The camp is developing a fund so that they can start building a new primary school and clinic far away from the camp so that conflicts of human and wildlife can be prevented.
4. Staff of the camp, more than 60% come from the local community and are trained at the camp.
5. Rubbish is responsibly disposed of or recycled. The glass for example is given to the East African Women’s League who run a project whereby glass is exchanged for eyeglasses for the poor.
6. Walking safaris are conducted by the local Maasai guides so that guests can be educated on the Maasai culture.
7. Tortilis leases land from the local Group Ranch so that game drives can be carried out in area other than the National Park.