Legendary Routes That Stand Out in May 2026 / A&K To Open New Safari Lodge in Kenya With Kilimanjaro Views And Elephant Herds

Abercrombie & Kent will return to the landscapes where its story began with the launch of Kitirua Plains Lodge, a new A&K Sanctuary property opening in Kenya’s Amboseli on 1 June 2026.

Located on a 128-acre private concession bordering Amboseli National Park, the lodge offers uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro and a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most iconic settings, where large elephant herds roam across sweeping savannah and marshland.

The launch comes more than 60 years after Geoffrey Kent led A&K’s first safari in Kenya, introducing a new model of luxury adventure travel with canvas tents, fine dining and crystal martini glasses in the bush. Kitirua Plains Lodge is designed as both a tribute to that pioneering heritage and a forward-looking vision of the modern safari.

“Kitirua is a return to our roots, and a bold leap forward,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG. “This is a property that honours our heritage whilst looking to the future, a celebration of place, people, and the pioneering spirit that defines A&K.”

Design and atmosphere

A deliberate departure from traditional tented safari camps, the lodge has been designed with Luxury Frontiers, the studio known for sustainable, design-led wilderness architecture.

Its 13 organic standalone suites – 11 one-bedroom, plus two two-bedroom – combine pared-back interiors with natural textures and woven-rush detailing inspired by the Maasai way of life.

Communal spaces include a spa, gym, swimming pool and convivial boma designed for evenings under the stars. Interiors are understated, allowing the cinematic views of Amboseli to take centre stage.

Kitirua Plains Lodge joins Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare in Ol Pejeta, creating a complete A&K Sanctuary circuit across Kenya’s key ecosystems.

Together, the three properties offer travellers the opportunity to combine the Great Migration, Amboseli’s elephants and Ol Pejeta’s conservation landscapes in a single journey.

Experiences in elephant country

Guests will have access to daily game drives across diverse habitats, from open plains to seasonal wetlands, with opportunities to encounter elephants, lions, cheetahs and prolific birdlife. Cultural visits with the local Maasai community will provide authentic insights, while experiences such as stargazing at the boma or hot-air ballooning over the savannah will also be on offer.

Bookings for Kitirua Plains Lodge are now open, with the first guests welcomed from June 2026.

abercrombiekent.com