Angama Mara

Angama Mara is a safari lodge in the Maasai Mara in Kenya. In the Kiswahili language, "angama" means "suspended in mid-air"; the name refers to the lodge's location 300 metres (980 ft) above the floor of the Maasai Mara.[1]

The view from the deck at Angama Mara

History

The lodge was developed by Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald and opened in June 2015.[2] It is located on the site where several scenes of Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa (1985) were filmed.[3] It was chosen for the film as the landscape reflected what the Ngong Hills just outside Nairobi would have looked like in Karen Blixen's time, before the area became urbanised.[4] Guests can see Denys Finch Hatton's "burial site" from the movie and also experience an Out of Africa picnic in the same location where the film's original poster was photographed.[5]

Accommodation

Angama Mara comprises two separate camps of 15 tents each. Each camp has its own guest area, kitchen and staff.[6]

The Pavilion is set between the two camps and houses the Safari Shop, a swimming pool, Fitness Room, Photographic Studio and Map Room.

Angama Mara Airfield is situated five minutes from the lodge. AirKenya and Safarilink offer scheduled flights to the airfield.

In 2020, Angama Safari Camp opened. It is a light footprint, sole-use camp comprising four guest tents, sleeping a maximum of eight people.[7]

Wildlife
Male lion with the Great Migration in the background

Angama Mara has a private entrance to the 512km² Mara Triangle where all game drives take place. The Mara Triangle has abundant year-round wildlife including the Big Five. It is also where the Great Migration enters and exits the Maasai Mara National Reserve and crosses the Mara River.[8]

Angama Foundation

Guests contribute a small nightly donation to the Angama Foundation which has been set up as a separate non-profit entity. These funds are used for various initiatives in the fields of education, healthcare and conservation.[9]

The Angama Foundation works closely with neighbouring schools and several conservation organisations including the Mara Conservancy, the Mara Elephant Project and the Anne K. Taylor Fund. It has also built a clinic on the property of Angama Mara for guests, staff and the neighbouring communities.[10]

The Angama Foundation was the creator of The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competition.[11]

Accolades

In 2018, Angama Mara was listed in Condé Nast Traveler as the #1 resort in Africa.[12] It has also received other accolades including being featured in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards in 2020[13] and Fodor's Finest Hotels in 2020.[14]

References
  1. "Kenya Safari Lodge: Angama Mara". Visi. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  2. "The Rise Of Millionaire Tourism". Forbes Africa. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  3. "This Luxe Lodge in Kenya Is the Perfect Safari Spot". Observer. 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  4. Itzkowitz, Laura. "The Most Architecturally Stunning Safari Lodges in Sub-Saharan Africa". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  5. "Get Out To Africa: This lodge in East Africa is the stuff of dreams". My New Orleans. 2020-06-29. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  6. "Out of Africa: The film that made us fall in love with Kenya". The Telegraph. 2016-02-04. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  7. "A Unique New Experience in the Maasai Mara with Angama Mara". Luxury Travel Advisor. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  8. "A front row seat to the Great Migration in Kenya". Arab News. 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  9. MacGregor, Sandra. "A Sustainable Safari: Discover Africa's 10 Top Eco-Friendly Lodges". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  10. Minford, Teddy (2019-07-29). "The Coolest Luxury Safari Lodge Is Kenya's Angama Mara". Fodors Travel Guide. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  11. "The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year Winner Announcement". Nomad Africa. 2018-12-10. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  12. "Top Resorts in Africa: Readers' Choice Awards 2018". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  13. "Top 10 Safari Lodges in Africa". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  14. Editor, Fodor's (2019-10-01). "The 10 Best Hotels in Africa in 2020". Fodors Travel Guide. Retrieved 2020-10-27.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
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