Ol Tukai Lodge is renowned as one of the best spots in the world to watch elephants. It is set at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world and Africa’s tallest mountain. It is situated right in the heart of Amboseli National Park, one of East Africa’s captivating wildlife parks, with the eastern part of the lodge being home to several elephant families. Writers have described Ol Tukai in particular as the Home For The Gods!
It was not until 1996 that the lodge opened its doors. It is designed to take full advantage of its rare environment. The endless plains dominate one side while the other is lavished with a forest of indigenous acacia trees.
Ol Tukai is an award-winning lodge that keeps true to its hospitality nature.
Location
The lodge lies 250 km south (four hours drive, 50minutes flight time) of Nairobi and close to the Tanzanian border and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Kenya hotels and accommodation
Amongst the wide range of Kenya hotels, some make the ideal Kenya safari destination. Choose a safari lodge, safari hotel, bush camp, luxury lodge, safari camp, tented camp or bush lodge. National park accommodation usually takes the form of a traditional safari lodge or tented camp, but numerous other options exist on the park boundaries. Luxury lodges and luxury camp options are also offered in the private wildlife conservancies.
The Background
Amboseli National Park, Kilimanjaro's kingdom
Towered over by the magnificent bulk of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,896 m), Africa's highest mountain, Amboseli is one of Kenya's oldest, famous and most-visited parks. Endlessly panoramic, yet comparatively compact, it is dotted with emerald green swamps in which great herds of elephant wallow; half submerged in the papyrus grasses.
The permanent marshlands also provide a potent draw to hippos and buffaloes, while offering a haven for the abundant water birds. An International Biosphere Reserve, the park largely constitutes the usually dried-out lakebed of Lake Amboseli, which is surrounded by flat grasslands relieved by very few trees. On the plains are numerous antelopes, spotted hyenas, jackals, warthogs, olive baboons and vervet monkeys. Lions are rare. Observation Hill, a conical peak, which is easily climbed, offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation
There are 80 luxury chalet-style twin rooms at Ol Tukai Lodge, all with an uninterrupted view of the wetlands or Kilimanjaro. Stylish and comfortable, the rooms have private bath rooms and individual terraces. They are equipped with safes, fans, tea and coffee counters. To accommodate physically challenged guests, two rooms have been designed according to EU standards.
RESTAURANTS/BARS
The dining room features an intricately designed sisal tapestry by a local artist, depicting the Maasai people. Just meters from elephants and other game that venture close to the boundary, the dining room opens onto a veranda in the garden where lunch is usually served.
POOL BAR
The pool bar serves snacks and drinks between meal times. Our pool waiters are pleased to assist you, and our barman can make you a special fruit punch while you soak up the sun.
ELEPHANT BAR
The Elephant Bar is situated between the lounge and the dining room. This open-air bar serves a wide selection of beers, cocktails, liquers and fresh juices. Above the bar, a roof-level deck offers a splendid panorama of the marshlands and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Child-friendly
Children are welcome at Ol Tukai. Most bedrooms are easily large enough to accommodate an extra bed. A children’s menu and early supper is available and security guards patrol while parents enjoy their dinner.
What to see and do
Amboseli is world-famous for its populations of large mammals. The swamps are a centre of activity for elephants, hippos, buffaloes and abundant water birds. The surrounding flat grasslands are home to grazing antelopes. Spotted hyenas are plentiful, as are jackals, warthogs, olive baboons and vervet monkeys. No longer present in their original numbers, lions can still be found in Amboseli though the famous black-maned lions have long since disappeared, as have the black rhinos that were once so plentiful.
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.
Conference facilities
Ol Tukai’s conference room is fully equipped with video, flip charts, projector and other relevant apparatus.
The room can accommodate up to 200 delegates and the management is happy to cater for specific seating requirements.
MULTI DENOMINATIONAL CHAPEL:
Services are held every Sunday and all are welcome. Our multi denominational chapel is a wonderful place to tie the knot or renew marriage vows. A special wedding package can be offered and arrangements made with our head office in Nairobi prior to arrival.
COMMUNICATION
Ol Tukai has 24 hour telephone, WIFI internet services and a business centre
SHOP
Browse through our shop for souvenirs and memorabilia. Toiletries and other personal necessities are also available.
FIRE SAFETY
Familiarise yourself with the notice behind your room’s door for evacuation information in case of a fire emergency.
CLINIC
Our resident nurse operates a clinic for guests, staff, and the local community within the park. In case of an emergency, the lodge will arrange for evacuation to a hospital in Nairobi.
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.
LECTURES
Lecturers from Elephant Research regularly give interesting, informative lectures at the Lodge.
BIRD WALKS
Ol Tukai is home to 400 species of beautiful African birds. Enjoy the short bird walk that starts at the entrance of the hotel and rambles under the canopy of acacia trees around the lodge. A must for any fledgling ornithologist!
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.
Campfire cocktails
The camp stages nightly safari campfire cocktails.
MAASAI DANCING
A troupe of Maasai Moran warriors will entertain you with traditional songs and dances after dinner at about 9.15pm, on alternate evenings.
Champagne breakfast
Served within the lodge's private wilderness area, home of the Ol Tukai herd of elephants.
Ol Tukai Lodge - Amboseli | Kenya Luxury Safari Lodges & Accommodation
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