🏕️ Overview: Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
Sentrim Amboseli Lodge is a mid-range safari lodge located on the eastern edge of Amboseli National Park, just outside the Kimana Gate. It offers a classic safari experience with a strong focus on affordability, comfort, and convenience, making it one of the most accessible bases for travelers seeking great views of Mount Kilimanjaro and proximity to wildlife without luxury prices.
📍 Location
- Distance from Kimana Gate: Less than 3 km – a 5-minute drive
- Distance from Emali SGR Station: ~95 km (2-hour drive)
- Nearest Airstrip: Amboseli Airstrip (~30–40 min by road)
- Nearby Landmarks: Kimana Sanctuary, Observation Hill, Elephant Swamp
This makes it ideal for those coming in from Nairobi via Emali or Namanga border post, or even from Tsavo West via Loitokitok.
🛖 Accommodation
Sentrim Amboseli offers a combination of spacious en-suite tents and cottages, blending canvas charm with solid comfort.
🛏️ Room Types:
- Standard Safari Tents: Enclosed canvas tents with permanent bathrooms, beds, and private verandahs
- Deluxe Rooms/Cottages: For guests preferring brick-walled accommodation with extra comfort
- Triple and Family Tents available upon request
Key Amenities:
- Hot showers & flushing toilets
- Mosquito nets
- Solar-powered lighting
- Writing desks and wardrobes
- Verandahs with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro (select rooms)
🍽️ Dining & Facilities
- Restaurant: Buffet-style meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offers vegetarian and continental options.
- Bar & Lounge: Serves local beers, wines, and spirits. Evening campfires and sundowners available.
- Swimming Pool: A refreshing mid-day break from game drives.
- Gift Shop: Sells local crafts, essentials, and souvenirs.
- Conference Room: For groups, meetings, and workshops.
- WiFi: Available in common areas (though patchy at times)
🐘 Safari Activities
Sentrim can arrange both in-park safaris and community-based excursions, either directly or through third-party safari operators.
Activities Available:
- Full-day and half-day game drives in Amboseli
- Sundowners and bush dining (on request)
- Cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages
- Nature walks in the Kimana area (led by local guides)
- Birdwatching from lodge grounds
Wildlife in Amboseli includes elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, and over 400 bird species.
💵 Sentrim Amboseli Rates (2025)
🛏️ Sentrim Amboseli Lodge – Resident Accommodation Rates (2025)
Rate Includes: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) – Standard Tents
| Dates From | Dates To | Single Room (1 Guest) | Double Room (2 Guests) | Triple Room (3 Guests) | Family House (2 Bedroom) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th Dec 2024 | 31st Dec 2024 | – | – | – | – |
| 1st Jan 2025 | 31st Mar 2025 | 17,000 KES | 30,000 KES | 40,000 KES | 46,000 KES |
| 1st Apr 2025 | 31st Jun 2025 | 16,000 KES | 28,000 KES | 36,500 KES | 42,000 KES |
| 1st Jul 2025 | 31st Oct 2025 | 21,000 KES | 35,000 KES | 44,000 KES | 46,000 KES |
| 1st Nov 2025 | 19th Dec 2025 | 16,000 KES | 28,000 KES | 36,500 KES | 42,000 KES |
| 20th Dec 2025 | 31st Dec 2025 | 21,000 KES | 35,000 KES | 44,000 KES | 46,000 KES |
🌍 Sentrim Non-Resident Accommodation Rates (2025)
Rate Includes: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) – Standard Tents
| Dates From | Dates To | Single Room (1 Guest) | Double Room (2 Guests) | Triple Room (3 Guests) | Family House (2 Bedroom) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th Dec 2024 | 31st Dec 2024 | 240 USD | 330 USD | 430 USD | 430 USD |
| 1st Jan 2025 | 31st Mar 2025 | 180 USD | 260 USD | 320 USD | 380 USD |
| 1st Apr 2025 | 31st Jun 2025 | 150 USD | 230 USD | 300 USD | 370 USD |
| 1st Jul 2025 | 31st Oct 2025 | 240 USD | 330 USD | 430 USD | 430 USD |
| 1st Nov 2025 | 19th Dec 2025 | 150 USD | 230 USD | 300 USD | 370 USD |
| 20th Dec 2025 | 31st Dec 2025 | 240 USD | 330 USD | 430 USD | 430 USD |
📝 Important Notes for All Guests
🌟 General Inclusions:
- Full board: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
🧾 Additional Charges & Policies
- Easter Supplement: 3,500 KES / 30 USD per person per night
- Christmas & New Year Supplement: 4,000 KES / 35 USD per person (24th–26th, 31st Dec & 1st Jan)
- Half-Board Reduction: 425 KES (residents) or 5 USD (non-residents) per person
- Lunch or Dinner Only: 3,500 KES or 35 USD per person
- Packed Lunch Box: 3,000 KES or 25 USD
👶🏽 Children Policy
- Children 0–2 years: Stay free
- Children in their own room: 75% of room rate
- One child sharing with 1 adult: Child pays 50%, adult pays half of double
- Two children sharing with 2 adults: Each child pays 50% of per-person sharing rate
- Family Houses are sold as single units — child policy does not apply
🦓 Optional Activities (Payable Separately)
| Activity | Rate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Balloon Safari | 550 per person |
| Lunch/Dinner/Breakfast by poolside (7 pax min) | 25–30 per person |
| Bush breakfast/lunch/dinner within lodge (7 pax) | 25–30 per person |
| Bush breakfast/lunch in the park | 40–45 per person (excl. park fees) |
| African Barbecue + Maasai Cultural Experience | 30 per person (7 pax min) |
| Extra lunch boxes | 25 USD |
👨👩👧👦 Best For:
- Families: Affordable triple rooms, kid-friendly pool, and flexible meals.
- Budget to mid-range travelers: Lower rates than Serena, AA, or Elerai.
- Group tours and retreats: Ample capacity and group discounts.
- Solo travelers: Safe, staffed, and well-situated for independent game drives.
- First-time safari guests: Classic lodge experience, close to the park gate, easy logistics.
🆚 How It Compares to Other Lodges
| Feature | Sentrim Amboseli | AA Lodge / Kibo / Serena | Angama Amboseli / Elerai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Budget to Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Luxury |
| Park Access | Excellent (near Kimana Gate) | Good | Good / Inside conservancy |
| Views of Kilimanjaro | Yes (from select tents) | Yes | Panoramic from most rooms |
| Rooms | Canvas Tents + Cottages | Tented Suites | Luxury Tents/Villas |
| Activities Included | Optional / On-request | Some included | All-inclusive |
| Cultural Experiences | Available via extra fee | Yes | Refined & curated |
| Family-Friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Less suitable for kids |
| Pool | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
🔑 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Great value-for-money
- Close proximity to Kimana Gate
- Classic safari feel without high cost
- Offers both tent and cottage options
- Good for families, students, and groups
❌ Cons:
- Not inside the park (5 min drive from gate)
- Fewer premium services than upscale lodges
- WiFi limited to common areas
- Limited à la carte activities – mostly outsourced
📌 Final Verdict
Sentrim Amboseli Lodge is an excellent mid-range option for travelers who want an authentic Amboseli safari without the high costs of luxury camps. It’s particularly ideal for families, budget-conscious safari-goers, and first-time travelers who want a classic lodge experience in a prime location near the park gates.