The movie was filmed in the Great Rift Valley, masterfully described by the Danish writer Karen Blixen. Angama Mara, a new luxury safari lodge located high above the valley, offers visitors a unique opportunity to visit the places that provided a backdrop for that love story.
The hotel complex has amazing views of Masai Mara in Kenya, considered by many the most beautiful wildlife reserve in Africa. Angama Mara means “suspended in air” in the Swahili language.
Above all, Angama Mara is the cherished dream of Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald, a couple who spent over 30 years building exclusive luxury hotels in natural settings, both in Africa and in India. Joining them in this project is Steve Mitchell, a professional businessman attracted by the opportunities offered by this wonderful place.
Amidst nature’s splendor, guests find an intimate retreat divided into two areas with cottages and only 15 suites, a private airstrip for small planes, unforgettable days of safari and of course, Kenya’s captivating beauty.
The lodge is nestled on the grounds of one of Africa’s most fascinating cultures, the Masai. Angama Mara’s guests have the opportunity to interact with them, as most of the people working at the lodge are from local communities. The guides and even the camp’s baker are all Masai.
Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens were responsible for building the lodge. They were inspired by classic safaris of yore, when simplicity turned into elegance thanks to a decor without fanfare. The suites have glass walls from floor to the ceiling, floors of polished wood and interiors that show an exquisite African style. The environments were created by the stylist Annemarie Meintjes who took into consideration Karen Blixen’s house-museum and recreated the legendary furniture of Nairobi’s Muthaiga Country Club.
Ample and comfortable, each suite has over 1,000 square feet, including large timber terraces with breathtaking views.
And of course, the best of Angama Mara is its ideal location in the vast Masai Mara Reserve, known worldwide for its exceptional population of lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, the rare black rhino and of course, the majestic elephants. The great African migrations of wildebeest and other animals take place here from July to October.
One day of safari in Masai Mara becomes an experience full of emotions, which may well end with a picnic on the iconic places where Out of Africa was filmed.
As a guest, you have other adventures available— like ballooning and visiting local communities—besides enjoying the gym, an infinity pool, an African Art gallery, and a workshop where women make beautiful Masai beads.
A stay at Angama Mara can change our perception of the world we inhabit, and give you a unique perspective informed by the overwhelming beauty of an extraordinary continent. ■
