Kitirua Conservancy

Kitirua Conservancy is a 32,000-acre community-owned wildlife conservancy located on the southwestern edge of Amboseli National Park, offering breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a critical wildlife corridor linking Amboseli National Park in Kenya with Tanzania’s Enduimet Wildlife Management Area and Kilimanjaro National Park, allowing elephants and other species to move freely across borders.

Established in 1984 as the first conservancy in the greater Amboseli ecosystem, Kitirua blends biodiversity protection with sustainable tourism and Maasai pastoralism. The conservancy is divided into zones for conservation, tourism, and controlled livestock grazing, ensuring that both people and wildlife benefit from the land.

Wildlife in Kitirua includes elephants, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, and more than 400 species of birds. Guests can enjoy day and night game drives, Maasai-guided bush walks, and cultural interactions, offering an intimate and less crowded safari experience compared to the national park.

How to Get There

From Nairobi (by road):

✓ Distance: Approximately 240 km
✓ Travel Time: Approximately 4–5 hours, depending on traffic, weather, and the final stretch inside the conservancy
✓ Scenery & Wildlife: Views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Maasai homesteads, and possible sightings of elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife once near Amboseli
✓ Route: Nairobi to Emali on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway (A109), then turn onto the Emali–Loitokitok/Kimana Road (C102) toward Amboseli. From Kimana, lodge vehicles or tracks lead into Kitirua Conservancy

By Train (SGR):

✓ Take the Nairobi–Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and alight at Emali Station
✓ From Emali, the drive to Kimana (Amboseli/Kitirua area) takes about 1–1.5 hours on the C102 road
✓ Lodge transfers can then pick you up from Kimana or the Amboseli gate and continue into Kitirua Conservancy

By Air:

✓ Flight Time: Approximately 35–40 minutes
✓ Scheduled flights depart from Wilson Airport (Nairobi) to Amboseli Airstrip
✓ After landing, lodge/game-drive vehicles transfer you into Kitirua Conservancy, taking 20–60 minutes depending on your camp’s location

History

Kitirua Conservancy was established in 1984 as a pioneering partnership among the Olgulului-Ololarashi Group Ranch, tourism investors Ker & Downey and Cheli & Peacock (now part of the Elewana Collection), and the Amboseli Conservation Programme. It was designed as a concession area to protect wildlife corridors and provide alternative livelihoods for Maasai landowners.

The conservancy operates under a zoning system that balances core conservation areas with seasonal livestock grazing and eco-tourism. Community committees regulate grazing based on rainfall and pasture availability. Lease fees from tourism help fund ranger salaries, patrols, equipment, and community projects such as borehole construction, school bursaries, and fuel for water generators.

Today, Kitirua stands as the oldest conservancy in Amboseli and a model for cross-border conservation, ensuring that elephants and carnivores can migrate safely between Kenya and Tanzania.

Wildlife Viewing Experiences

✓ Morning & Afternoon Game Drives: Guided 2–3 hour safaris across Kitirua’s diverse habitats — from open plains and swamps to acacia woodlands. Expect sightings of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, and predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals

✓ Sunset Safaris: Late afternoon drives offer breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro bathed in pink and orange hues, with elephants and plains game grazing in the fading light

✓ Night Game Drives: Experience the conservancy after dark. Listen for the distant calls of lions and hyenas as you search for elusive nocturnal species, including genets, civets, porcupines, and bushbabies

Nature-Based Guided Walks

✓ Walking Safaris: Join expert naturalist guides and Maasai trackers to explore the land on foot. Learn the art of animal tracking, identify plants and birdlife, and experience the bush in its most authentic, immersive way

✓ Birdwatching: Kitirua is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with everything from flamingos in Amboseli’s swamps to powerful raptors soaring overhead. Migratory and resident species thrive here, making every walk a chance for discoveries

Immersive Conservation & Community Experiences

✓ Eco-Project Insights: Discover how Kitirua Conservancy is jointly managed with the local Maasai community and conservation partners. Discover anti-poaching patrols, rangeland management, and how tourism supports community projects

✓ Tusker Encounters: Kitirua is part of the greater Amboseli ecosystem, home to some of Africa’s last remaining “big tusker” elephants. Guests may be fortunate to encounter these legendary giants during their stay

✓ Community Visits: Visit a traditional Maasai manyatta (homestead) to learn about pastoralist life, beadwork, and cultural traditions passed down through generations

Unique Bush Experiences

✓ Sundowners & Bush Meals: Enjoy a picnic breakfast under acacia trees or a sundowner cocktail overlooking Kilimanjaro, often with elephants wandering nearby

✓ Photography Safaris: With Kilimanjaro as a backdrop and abundant wildlife, Kitirua is a dream for photographers. Some lodges offer specialist photographic guides

✓ Stargazing: With no light pollution, the night skies above Kitirua are dazzling. Guided stargazing sessions bring constellations and Maasai star lore to life

✓ Specialist Tracking: For adventurous guests, some guides offer focused tracking of elephants or big cats, interpreting fresh footprints, broken branches, and other signs of the wild

Kitirua Conservancy is a vital wildlife corridor in the greater Amboseli ecosystem, linking Amboseli National Park in Kenya with Tanzania’s Enduimet Wildlife Management Area and Kilimanjaro National Park.

Covering approximately 32,464 acres (about 13,200 hectares, or 161.8 km²), Kitirua is among the oldest conservancies in Amboseli, established in 1984 as a partnership among local Maasai landowners, conservationists, and tourism operators.

Its landscapes range from semi-arid savannah and seasonal swamps to open plains framed by sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering diverse habitats that sustain both herbivores and predators year-round.

Wildlife at Kitirua Conservancy

Large Mammals

✓ Elephants (key migratory corridor, including “big tuskers”)
✓ Giraffes
✓ Zebras
✓ Wildebeest
✓ Gazelles & other antelope species
✓ Buffalo

Big Cats & Predators

✓ Lions
✓ Cheetahs
✓ Spotted Hyenas
✓ Black-backed Jackals

Other Mammals

✓ Baboons
✓ Vervet Monkeys
✓ Bat-eared Foxes
✓ Civets & Genets (seen on night drives)
✓ Bushbabies

Birdlife

✓ Flamingos and water birds in seasonal swamps
✓ Raptors such as martial eagles and vultures
✓ Over 400 recorded species, including both resident and migratory birds

The Conservancy offers a choice of two exceptional lodges, each delivering a unique balance of luxury, sustainability, and immersive safari adventure against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

A&K Sanctuary Kitirua Plains Lodge

✓ Two-Bedroom Suites include private courtyards for dining and relaxation
✓ Panoramic views of Kilimanjaro from suites, private decks, and even freestanding bathtubs
✓ Facilities: wellness centre, gym, open-air yoga deck, swimming pool, wine cellar, and laundry service
✓ Dining highlights include an open-fronted restaurant, weekly Boma Braai, bush meals, and private deck dining
✓ A striking eco-lodge seamlessly integrated into the landscape with curved walls, fluid rooflines, and natural earth tones
✓ Experiences: day & night game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, cultural visits, plus off-site hot-air balloon and helicopter excursions.
✓ 13 contemporary suites (11 one-bedroom, two two-bedroom) with Maasai-inspired accents, en-suite bathrooms, private verandas, and free Wi-Fi

Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli

✓ Facilities: swimming pool, spa treatments, bar, lounge, and open dining spaces overlooking the plains
✓ Award-winning luxury eco-camp with uninterrupted views of Kilimanjaro and access to the 30,000-acre Kitirua Conservancy
✓ 16 spacious safari tents with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, plus a Family Tent and Private House (with shared pool)
✓ Dining highlights include bush breakfasts, sundowners on the plains, and freshly prepared meals in stunning natural settings
✓ Activities: twice-daily game drives in Amboseli, exclusive conservancy safaris, guided bush walks with Maasai naturalists, night game drives, birdwatching, and cultural village visits

Both lodges combine comfort with conservation, offering guests the rare opportunity to experience Amboseli’s wildlife and landscapes in a private, uncrowded setting

Mobile: + 254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com