Acacia tortilis is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub. ‘Acacia,’ from the Greek word ‘akis’, means a point or a barb. ‘Tortilis’ means twisted and refers to the pod structure. Amboseli means salty dust in the Masai language. Literally, we chose to stay for 3 nights in a twisted, barbed, salty and dusty place named the Tortilis in Amboseli in Nov’ 11 and simply fell in love with it. Though expensive, it was probably the best decision of our life when it came to choosing a holiday home.

We drove from Nairobi starting at about 7:30AM and reached Tortilis at lunch time around 1PM. It was pretty warm and we were wondering whether it would have been better to visit the Mara where it would have been cooler and where we had been twice before. Tortilis is well hidden from view on the approach which is via sand tracks. But as soon as our vehicle swung into the porch, we were surprised by the beauty, greenery and the location. Andrea and Stefan made the perfect hosts, and we have seen no better ones spanning our trips to over 40 countries. They make the difference with their personal touch and warmth. They interacted with us every day before and after our daily safari trips asking how the day was. They took so much pride in the property showing us around and even taking pains to explain the miniature thumb-size frogs hidden in tall plants close to the reception area, which used to puzzle everyone with their loud bellowing.

After the usual check-in with refreshing cool towels and drinks, we were shown to our tent no 1. It was superb. We had a large double bed and an extra one for our daughter. Outside our tent was a lovely sitting area with sofa and chairs, and a view, straight of Mount Kilimanjaro. We were so lucky to have clear views of Kili several times over the next 3 days. The tent itself is of high quality with very comfortable and clean bedding. The toilet also was very clean and quite big. We slept very well.

The walk upto the restaurant is slightly steep and good exercise. The breakfast and lunch buffet spreads are not large like you see in other lodges, but are definitely tastier and varied – you won’t get some of the dishes that are served here. The dinners were a la carte and wonderful. Once, at dinner, my wife and daughter, who do not eat beef which was in the menu, expressed regret not having informed previously, were surprised when chicken was cooked and served very swiftly, that they hardly had to wait! The lounge in the bar is excellent with lovely seating and both the restaurant and the lounge overlook a waterhole where you can see baboons, antelope, Mara storks and a horde of other birds visiting.

The service is excellent. Any time of the day, anywhere in Tortilis. Be it at the restaurant or at the bar or while walking towards your camp at night. If you leave the tent anytime, its done up like magic, before you return. We were also lucky to experience cool weather when there was a thunderstorm on the 3rd day. We felt sorry that the furniture and soft furnishings outside the tent got soiled, but were surprised when Andrea said that she felt so happy for the natives in Amboseli who must have stayed outside during the rain and thanked the gods. The clean-up was as fast as the thunderstorm itself. The morning personal wake-up at our time with hot tea / coffee/ chocolate and cookies served in our tent was so so welcome. We were truly impressed.

Amboseli is not like the Mara where you see lots of cats especially lions. This is elephant country and here can you seen them roming in the swamps below you. But we were again lucky. On the last day as we thanked Stefan and Andrea for their warm hospitality and left, we were rewarded by a kill the lions had just made, 10 minutes drive out of Tortilis. The battleground with 4 lionesses, 4 cubs, 7 hyenas and the fallen zebra was a sight to be seen.

Truly, Tortilis is the oasis and the toast of Amboseli, We came to see Amboseli and left with indelible memories of Tortilis.