Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Location:

Kibo Safari Camp is a luxury tented camp site situated within the Amboseli dispersal area and borders the national reserve. The camp is located along a dirt road within a 5-minute drive to the Kima Park gates which are located on the very east-side of the park. Depending on which route your drive takes to the camp, the journey can be long and uncomfortable. Depending on your itinerary, some drivers try to avoid entering the park early which they would do by entering the park on the west end of the park and will instead drive around the park to get to Kibo Safari Camp. This route is about an hour longer and very uncomfortable as the roads are poor and really dusty. Make sure your driver takes the most direct route to the campsite.

Room Comfort:

We stayed in one of their 61 self contained tents which included a traditional sheltered veranda. The tent had a large comfortable bed and a separate area for the toilet, shower and sink. There was a mosquito net over the bed, but it was worn down and had several holes in it. The tent was not very spacious compared to other permanent tents we stayed in, but was a decent size considering it was still a tent. We wouldn't call the accommodations luxurious but they certainly were unique. We felt the accommodations were a hybrid between camping and a comfortable hotel stay. Electricity is available in the rooms but only during certain times. The campsite provided flashlights which were handy in the evenings and at night. We used the electrical outlet at the front desk to charge our camera batteries. We should also mention that the tents cannot be locked.

The camp also has a nice pool with fresh cold water from nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Depending on the visibility you can see Mount Kilimanjaro from the pool area. There is an overpriced gift shop on site.

Cleanliness:

The tent was clean. The tent was also well-maintained and secure so there were no bugs inside our tent. The camp grounds and the gravel paths leading to the tents were well maintained and lovely. The common toilets near the pool could be cleaner, but weren't bad.

Service:

The service was great. We received a very warm welcome, a welcome drink and hot towel when we arrived. The staff was very friendly and not shy to strike up a conversation. The manager was very kind and personable. He introduced himself  and politely greeted us every time we saw him around camp.

Food:

The food was delicious. The chef at the restaurant was the best chefs we encountered during our trip to Kenya. He was one of the few that managed to bake delicious desserts and provided very enjoyable meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were buffet style and included a decent selection of food. The buffet was smaller than at other hotels in Kenya, but the quality of food at this restaurant was better. A local beer cost 250 shillings at the time of our stay which is overpriced for the area and accommodation type.

Overall Value:

Overall, our stay was comfortable and peaceful. The staff was very pleasant and friendly. We recommend this place to those looking for a different way to spend a night in Kenya but aren't quite ready for camping.

Other Notes:

After several weeks of eating buffet food, we finally had some free time and took the opportunity to go for a jog along the dirt road leading from the campsite. Although there is security at the gate, they did not notice that we left the camp grounds. Upon our return, we were sternly told that we are not allowed to leave the camp ground on foot, as there are wild animals in the area that could attack us. They were mainly concerned with the wild elephants that could pose a great danger if we encountered them during our jog. We were the first visitors to leave the camp grounds and the staff were shocked by it. There were many local children walking to and from school in the same area so we weren't scared to venture out. Where else would we have the opportunity to jog along the borders of a unfenced park known for its wildlife? Nevertheless, we did appreciate their concern but ignored it during our stay.

Our Rating: 4/5   Year Reviewed: 2009

Expedia.ca offers the best price for hotels in Amboseli National Park.  You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.kibosafaricamp.com

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