Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Set in 200 acres of private land on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park — and with a rustic charm all of its own — the lodge nestles in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

As the crow flies, Amboseli Sopa is just 18 miles from the mountain’s snowy double summit. The lodge is also close to the Kimana Sanctuary, a private conservancy that provides a vital wildlife corridor between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks.

The 83 guest rooms, all of them topped by traditional African-style conical rooms, curl like a giant snake through the bushland around the main building. Game drives — and staring dreamily at Kilimanjaro — are the main activities. But the lodge also offers romantic bush dining, guided nature walks, hot-air balloon safaris, flying safaris, swimming pool and Masai crafts.

No one should stay at Amboseli Sopa without at least one drink at the Hemingway Bar, named after the famed American author whose safaris in the Amboseli region between 1933 and 1954 inspired him to write The Snows of Kilimanjaro and other classic works.

Located just 150 miles from Nairobi, the park is easy to reach by air or road and thus one of the nation’s most popular parks. While elephants are no doubt the main wildlife attraction, Amboseli harbors many other creatures including more than 600 bird species.