Amboseli Sopa Lodge Safari Stay

A safari in Amboseli leads to memorable experiences such as elephants crossing dusty plains, birds gathering by the wetlands, and Kilimanjaro coming into view above the clouds. While you are not on an excursion, a comfortable lodge provides a place where you can have lunch, cool down, and think about the discoveries of the morning.

Amboseli Sopa Lodge features a traditional safari atmosphere along with cottage-style accommodation, has mature gardens and provides friendly shared areas. It is situated on 200 acres of private land outside Amboseli National Park and includes enough space for one to relax while being close to the area's wildlife.

Find out more about our Kenya safari itineraries and see how this lodge can be included in a custom journey with us.

Location and Setting

The lodge is located in the larger Amboseli ecosystem in southern Kenya, close to the border with Tanzania. The national park is about twenty minutes by road, so the game drives involve a transfer to the park.

Accommodation and Room Options

The lodge has 83 guest rooms offering various bed configurations, such as two queen-sized beds, one king-sized bed, or a single queen-sized bed. Six of the rooms have adjoining doors and, where selected twin rooms are available, triples can be arranged upon request.

The gardens contain cottages, and there are verandas where one can read or take a quiet moment. The interiors also have murals inspired by the Maasai, which give them colour and character.

The available types of accommodation also consist of a honeymoon suite, two rooms accessible by wheelchair, and a two-bedroom Presidential Suite which has a lounge, a private dining room, a kitchenette and a veranda.

When you are making your enquiry, please state your preferred sleeping arrangements, in particular if you are travelling with a family or friends.

What Your Stay Includes

Our package includes accommodation, the confirmed meal plan, transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, the scheduled game drives, the park entry fees and the specified transfers.

The specific inclusions will vary according to your quotation; extra charges may apply for drinks, laundry, cultural visits and special dining. Just booking a room does not mean that a safari vehicle or entry to a national park will be included.

Facilities and Amenities

The swimming pool offers a refreshing break, and there is also a lounge, a restaurant, bars, an outdoor dining terrace, a gift shop and a local handicraft market.

The lodge provides laundry services, has board games, features a children's pool and offers Wi-Fi in the public areas.

It is possible to combine wildlife excursions with some relaxed afternoons thanks to these facilities. You could swim, look around at the local crafts or just relax in the lounge. Make sure to mention any essential facilities before making your booking so that you can check their current availability.

Dining at Amboseli Sopa Lodge

The Kibo Restaurant is named after the highest peak of Kilimanjaro, and the Mawenzi Terrace provides outdoor dining under a big acacia tree, incorporating the surrounding scenery into the dining experience.

Make sure to confirm your meal plan and state your dietary requirements as early as possible since vegetarian preferences, allergies and children's needs are easier to accommodate when there is advance notice.

If you are going on full-day game drives, enquire about packed meals or appropriate lunch options. Similarly, for bush dining, sundowners and private meals, you need to check that they are available, what their location is and also the extra costs involved.

Activities and Experiences

The main attraction in Amboseli National Park is game driving; in the morning you have the chance to explore the wetlands and see the elephants move, and in the afternoons the changing light brings with it new possibilities for wildlife.

The lodge offers nature walks, birdwatching, outdoor dining, sundowners and traditional dances. Please check the availability for the dates of your trip.

A visit to Maasai cultural sites that is organised by the local community can provide another viewpoint on the trip. Find out information about the hosts, the format of the visit, and the fees.

Nature walks are different from walking safaris in the park, and if you want to go on a balloon trip, you must get separate confirmation regarding local availability and make the necessary arrangements.

Wildlife and the Safari Experience

It is the elephants that make up the Amboseli experience; when you have the time to watch their behaviour instead of rushing from one sight to another, seeing a family of them across the plains becomes particularly enjoyable.

The wildlife found here also consists of buffaloes, giraffes, zebras and antelopes, together with the possibility of searching for predators. In the area surrounding the wetlands, waterfowl and grazing animals create a quite different atmosphere. From Observation Hill, one can get a wider view of the landscape.

How to Get There

By Road from Nairobi

The lodge is about 250 kilometres from Nairobi, and the journey takes three to four hours. The majority of the route is paved, while the last four kilometres are along an all-weather murram road. You should allow extra time for traffic and for stopping.

By Air

Flights from Nairobi last about thirty to forty minutes, after which there is a one-hour transfer from the Amboseli airstrip to the lodge.

Our representative will suggest transport options suitable to your itinerary when you are travelling from Mombasa, Diani or another safari destination.

Best Time to Stay

The drier periods, which occur from January to February and from June to October, are the ones most commonly chosen for wildlife watching. While the wetter months do result in more green landscapes and can be rewarding for birdwatching, they may mean that the road conditions require a more flexible approach.

Suitability of the Lodge

The Amboseli Sopa Lodge is suitable for tourists looking for cottage-style accommodation, shared leisure facilities and a traditional lodge atmosphere and can be considered by couples, families, photographers, individual travellers, groups and those who are going on safari for the first time.

Couples have the opportunity to combine their wildlife drives with some peaceful afternoons, families can make use of the flexible room arrangements, and groups may enjoy having shared meals as well as coordinated excursions.

Family and Child Information

The lodge provides connections between rooms as well as a choice of triple room arrangements for those looking for family-friendly options. It also has a children's menu, a children's pool and babysitting services. It is necessary to check before you arrive whether babysitting is available, what the fees are, and how the arrangements should be made.

When asking for the rates, you must give the children's ages since the room suitability and the prices are based on age and the number of people occupying the room.

A family schedule can be made more comfortable by taking shorter drives, having meal breaks and spending time in the pool. It is important to check the activity restrictions and to keep an eye on the children when they are around the premises and the swimming pool.

Practical Information

• Before finalizing your transfers, make sure you have confirmed your check-in and check-out times.
• Take with you a suitable charging adaptor, some spare camera batteries and a power bank.
• Wi-Fi is available in the public areas; if necessary, check that your room has coverage and that the connection is good.
• Guests who have mobility needs should talk with regard to the bathroom layouts, the paths, access to dining and vehicle transfers as well as the accessibility of the room.

Nearby Attractions

Amboseli National Park is still the principal attraction, featuring wetlands, open plains and Observation Hill; cultural visits organized by the local community can enhance the wildlife experience.

When it comes to visiting nearby sanctuaries or conservancies, separate arrangements, permissions, and fees must be obtained where these are required. Although Kilimanjaro offers a beautiful background, the actual climbing of the mountain needs its own Tanzania itinerary.

Suggested Length of Stay

With two nights, you have an introductory safari together with a full day in the Amboseli area, while three nights give you a more relaxed balance between wildlife drives and time at the lodge.

For photographers or families who prefer short trips, an extra night might be suitable, as it gives more chances of seeing Kilimanjaro when the weather clears.

Combine Amboseli with Other Destinations

You can combine a visit to Amboseli with one to Tsavo in order to experience contrasting landscapes, or else go on to Diani for some beach relaxation. Longer trips may also involve the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Samburu or Laikipia.

Look at our multi-destination Kenya safaris, which offer itineraries that balance travel time with pleasant stays. Do not pack in too many destinations during a short holiday.

The itinerary can be altered to match the speed at which you like to travel.

What to Know Before Booking

Make sure that the room category, meal plan, parking charges, transport arrangements and cancellation terms are confirmed, and state your dietary requirements, accessibility needs and any special occasions as early as possible.

The prices will vary according to the dates of travel, the number of occupants, and the details of the package. If you want to find out the full cost of the trip, ask for a complete quotation.