Little Amanya Camp — Hotel in Etonet/Lenkism ward

Communicating with the staff at Little Amanya Camp was easy and all done through email. They were quick to answer my questions and we paid directly to them via PayPal.

When we arrived at Little Amanya Camp, we had a very simple, easy check-in and the tent was exactly like the pictures. It was so cool-looking and very clean. They keep the tent and grounds really nice and tidy. The decor was nice! It was so peaceful and quiet at the camp, we were able to just sit out on our patio and take in the scenery. Kili didn't cooperate with us. The clouds were in the way and we were only able to see the base. Even though seeing Kili was the goal of our trip, the vibe and experience we had at Little Amanya Camp took over and we were loving every minute of the tranquility. We watched the locals just wandering through the plains in the distance. Even spotted a twiga or two. Life there seemed so peaceful. As the sun set, the clouds and colors in the sky were just magnificent.

We made our way to the bar and grabbed a couple of drinks. The staff pours the drinks so don't expect a bartender to make any craft cocktails. Drinks are very basic and limited but the spirits they have on hand our affordable and worth it.

A driver in a 4x4 waited for us as he took us off-site to a location where our 7:30pm bush dinner was all set up for just the two of us. We were so amazed driving up as we had a small staff to ourselves, a mini bonfire, a mini bar full of drinks, a mini buffet, a beautiful table setting, candles lighting the path, and lanterns that lit up in the tree. THIS was how I thought a bush dinner was going to be and they passed it with flying colors. It was the best setup we've ever had! The first time my husband and I tried to have a private romantic dinner like this was on our vacation to Bali in 2015. They were supposed to do a candlelit setup for us but the reservation did not get confirmed and we missed it. So we tried a couple more times on different vacations and they always seemed to fall short of our expectations. Our dinner with Little Amanya Camp was the first time it worked out the way we wanted and it was our best experience yet! Everything was perfect.

After dinner, we arrived back at the camp and saw that the sky full of stars were still there waiting for us. The stars came out early here...around 7:15 pm. We got so many wonderful shots on my iphone 14 pro max. There was hardly any light pollution and we got to relax below the billions of stars on display. It was an incredibly magical evening and one we will never forget.

The next day, due to time constraints, we didn't go into Amboseli National Park as we were saving the game drives for our trip in the Masai Mara. Instead, we visited a Maasai village and got to see how they lived. The camp and village are located near the park entrance that most drivers don't use. So it was nice not having to deal with a lot of tourists.

I'm glad we stayed at Little Amanya Camp. There wasn't a lot of information to go by, but we discovered a YouTube video by Dave Mani and it sold us on this place.

If you're looking for a hotel with luxury accommodations and other accommodations around, this is not for you. If you're looking to be away from the hustle and bustle but still want some creature comforts, this is the place. There is a sink, flushing toilet, and heated shower (no bucket baths, whew) in the tents. The camp is run on solar power and a bit off-grid, but not true off-grid since we still had internet connection with our phone service and had electricity. Still keep in mind that electricity is limited. Every tent had a view of Mount Kiliminjaro on their front porch.

Tip: Download an offline map of the area on Google Maps in case you lose signal and can't find the camp. The camp's Google Map directions are...

This is the best safari dart we had so far!!

1. it’s in the middle of the savannah and we felt so connected with the surrounding with all the zebras passing by and the spectacular view of Kilimanjaro! A dream come true.
2. we stayed in a dome tent called Cheeta- a romantic circular home, white and clean with an outdoor bathroom - which is so large and exciting. NB: One have to keep in mind that in the middle of the bush there is no running water, the water is delivered with a truck, so please save it. And the hot water comes from a “boiler” of a kind we never encountered - that is boiled with fire twice a day. We were told which hours we can expect the hot water and this is not only fine for us, it really makes you aware WHERE ARE YOU. Unlike in the big hotels where you have everything like in a big resort. This is a special exotic place and we did respect the efforts of the staff to make it feel like home.
3. the staff is one of a kind- the lady manager is called Happiness and that is what we experienced all the way through. Denis, Alfred, everyone makes you fell great.
4. the food was fantastic!! The chef is creating delicious meals with a fine touch, served in fine cutlery… Again please note: don’t expect a lot of food - it’s just enough, but made in such a delicious way that you feel the need to thank the chef. One extra happiness was the days we asked our breakfast to be served at the veranda - these were the days Kilimanjaro uncovered from the clouds and leaves you speechless.
5. one great advantage is that it is 5-10 min away from Iremito Gate - an underused gate of Amboseli where there is no line of vehicles in the mornings when you count any second to catch the greatest animals. This is a great fact! Thus you can go back for lunch and come back to the park easily. Other way is to ask for a packed lunch ((10$) and eat at The Observation Hill inside the park. We did both ways.

We thought to soend 3 days, than bought one extra, do 4 days in total with 2 days in the park. We found the best scenario the second ticket to the park to be spread in two days x 6 hours. Because 12 hours in the park can be quite tiring , even with the wall for lunch at the Observation hill (15 min walk). Later we learnt the ticket is for 24 hours and you can use it in 3 consecutive days. So, the next day we did from noon the 6pm and the last day from 6am (when the park opens) to noon and the experience gradually became greater and greater.

Now, dreaming to come back at Amanya camp together with our children. Thank you!...

During my visit to Little Amanya Camp in Amboseli National Park, I had the pleasure of experiencing an outstanding holiday tour. I highly recommend Little Amanya Camp for anyone seeking an exceptional African getaway.

Little Amanya Camp stands out as one of the top tented camps in Kenya, with its headquarters located in Amboseli National Park. Here are a few reasons why it surpasses other options in the area:

Tranquility: The camp offers an ambiance of serenity, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Culinary Delights: Indulging in the sumptuous meals provided at Little Amanya Camp is an unforgettable experience. Guests can savor a variety of delicious dishes prepared using high-quality ingredients.

Well-Organized Facilities: The camp boasts well-maintained and efficiently arranged facilities, ensuring the utmost comfort and convenience for guests.

Attentive Staff: The camp's personnel are incredibly attentive and responsive to guests' needs and requests, exemplifying professionalism and dedication.

Complimentary Wi-Fi: Little Amanya Camp offers complimentary Wi-Fi access, allowing guests to stay connected during their stay.

Tour Sessions: The camp provides excellent guided tour sessions, enabling visitors to explore the captivating beauty of Amboseli National Park and its surroundings.

Accommodations: The camp offers cozy, comfortable, and tastefully decorated accommodations, ensuring a restful retreat for every guest.

Ample Parking Space: Little Amanya Camp provides ample parking space, allowing guests to conveniently park their vehicles...