In the heart of elephant country, a new chapter in luxury safari travel is about to unfold. Abercrombie & Kent, a name synonymous with high-end adventure, is set to open Kitirua Plains Lodge in Kenya’s Amboseli region. Scheduled to welcome guests from June 1, 2026, the new property marries six decades of safari heritage with cutting-edge design and a deep sense of place.
A Landmark Homecoming for A&K
More than 60 years after Geoffrey Kent led his first expedition across Kenya’s untamed wilderness, Abercrombie & Kent is returning to where it all began. Set within a private 128-acre concession bordering Amboseli National Park, Kitirua Plains Lodge sits in a prime location for wildlife lovers. From this elevated position, guests will enjoy sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, and a landscape known for its large elephant herds and vast savannahs.
CEO Cristina Levis calls the launch “a celebration of place, people, and the pioneering spirit that defines A&K.” The lodge marks a pivotal moment for the brand, a full-circle return to its African roots while pushing the boundaries of what modern safari travel can offer.
Bold, Refined, and Rooted in Culture
Unlike the traditional tented safari camps of old, Kitirua Plains Lodge is a design-forward retreat developed in collaboration with Luxury Frontiers, the architectural firm renowned for its eco-conscious, experiential designs.
The lodge will feature 13 standalone suites including 11 one-bedroom villas and two two-bedroom options each crafted with natural materials, muted tones, and Maasai-inspired details. Woven textures and raw finishes connect guests to the surrounding environment, while floor-to-ceiling views allow nature to flood the interiors.
Communal areas include a spa, gym, swimming pool, and a stylish boma designed for storytelling under star-filled skies. A bush boutique adds a touch of curated elegance for discerning travelers.
A New Circuit Across Kenya’s Wildest Lands
Kitirua Plains Lodge is the latest addition to the growing A&K Sanctuary portfolio in Kenya, which already includes Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Together, the trio forms a seamless circuit through three of Kenya’s most iconic ecosystems, from the thundering drama of the Great Migration to intimate moments with Amboseli’s elephants and the rhino sanctuaries of Laikipia.
This thoughtful curation allows travelers to experience diverse landscapes, rare wildlife encounters, and community-led conservation, all in effortless luxury.
Authentic Encounters in the Heart of Amboseli
Daily game drives through Kitirua’s concession and into Amboseli promise sightings of elephants, lions, cheetahs, and hundreds of bird species. Guests can also enjoy hot air balloon rides, stargazing evenings, and immersive visits with the Maasai community, offering rare insight into one of East Africa’s most storied cultures.
Whether you’re tracking big cats or sipping a sundowner with Kilimanjaro on the horizon, every moment at Kitirua Plains Lodge is designed to elevate the safari experience.
Reservations Now Open
Bookings for Kitirua Plains Lodge are officially open, with the lodge set to debut in June 2026. For those seeking an elegant return to nature, paired with meaningful cultural engagement and front-row access to Africa’s most spectacular wildlife, this is more than a safari. It’s a journey into the soul of Kenya.
Written By: Lydia Kelly
Published: 4th September 2025