NEW DESIGN-LED SAFARI LODGE TO OPEN IN KENYA’S AMBOSELI REGION
A&K Sanctuary unveils Kitirua Plains Lodge, a sustainability-focused luxury property shaped by landscape, local craft and contemporary safari architecture.
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Luxury safari operator Abercrombie & Kent has announced the opening of Kitirua Plains Lodge, a new design-led property in Kenya’s Amboseli region that aims to redefine traditional safari accommodation.
Set on a 128-acre private concession bordering Amboseli National Park, the lodge has been designed to blend into its natural surroundings rather than dominate them.
Developed in partnership with architecture firm Luxury Frontiers, the property reflects a broader shift towards environmentally responsive and community-integrated safari experiences.
Positioned within sweeping savannah landscapes and offering uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge features 13 standalone suites oriented to frame the iconic peak.
The design draws on vernacular architecture and local artistic traditions, with an undulating black roof inspired by traditional Maasai buildings and lath screens based on indigenous construction methods to enhance ventilation and shade.
The project marks a return to Amboseli for Abercrombie & Kent, where founder Geoffrey Kent first introduced clients to luxury safari travel in 1962, establishing a model of adventure by day and comfort by night that continues to influence the industry.
Materials used throughout the lodge have been sourced locally where possible.
According to the company, 90 per cent of the furniture was made in Kenya using mango wood and African teak, while Mazeras stone quarried nearby has been used for cladding and flooring.
Interior finishes, including rough-plaster walls mixed with soil from the site, reflect the colours and textures of the surrounding terrain.
Sustainability measures have been embedded into the design from the outset.
The lodge operates on 100 per cent solar power, uses passive cooling strategies to reduce reliance on air-conditioning and recycles greywater for irrigation.
Waste management systems, including recycling and composting, were incorporated during construction.
Community engagement also formed a central part of the development, with local workers employed during construction and traditional techniques used to encourage skills transfer and economic benefit.
Features such as hand-woven sisal ceilings, clay bead pendants and sculptural grass art highlight the role of regional artisans in shaping the property’s aesthetic identity.
Kitirua Plains Lodge is scheduled to open on June 1, 2026, joining A&K Sanctuary’s existing Kenyan properties Olonana Lodge in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
The lodge will be available as part of the brand’s Tailor Made and Small Group journeys.
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The multi-award-winning singer and actress joins a nine-night Caribbean voyage departing 23 November, in what promises to be a festive highlight at sea.
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Crystal Cruises has announced that Vanessa Williams will join guests aboard Crystal Serenity for a special Thanksgiving sailing departing Fort Lauderdale on November 23.
Williams, whose career spans music, television and stage, is perhaps best known for chart-topping hits including “Save the Best for Last” and “Love Is.”
She is currently playing Miranda Priestly in the West End production of The Devil Wears Prada in London, and has previously starred in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.
During the voyage, Williams will perform a live set drawing on her greatest hits alongside seasonal favourites, and will host an intimate Q&A session offering guests a closer look at her career and personal stories.
“Music has always been about connection, and there’s something truly special about sharing that connection during the holiday season,” Williams said.
“I’m so excited to join Crystal Serenity this November and look forward to celebrating with my family and guests through music, stories and festive moments.”
The nine-night round-trip itinerary from Fort Lauderdale calls at Samana in the Dominican Republic, Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands and Oranjestad in Aruba, before an overnight stay in Cartagena, Colombia. A Thanksgiving feast is among the onboard highlights.
Bookings can be made through a travel advisor, at crystalcruises.com or by calling 1300 503 640.
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