In 1985, the movie “Out of Africa” was released in the United States, sparking a wave of safari tourism among Americans.
With its superior cinematography and the actors’ exquisite performances, “Out of Africa” was destined to be a classic: 11 Oscar nominations, 7 Oscar wins, and millions of viewers enchanted by Africa.
The film, which runs for 161 minutes, unfolds at a leisurely pace, yet with profound emotion, devoid of shaky camera work or rapid cuts. 
Before this, I could never associate Africa with women, but this indeed tells a woman’s story.
The entire movie is based on the personal experiences of Karen Blixen, also known for her autobiographical novel “Out of Africa.”
The female lead is based on Karen herself, while the male lead is the famous British hunter Denys Finch Hatton.
Karen and Denys met and fell in love in Kenya, their romance growing on the land they both passionately adored.
Do you remember the romantic scene where Denys washes Karen’s hair by the river in the wilderness? That scene was filmed at the Mara River.
In real life, Karen moved to Kenya at the age of 29 and lived at the foothills of the Ngong Hills, south of Nairobi.
From 1917 to 1931, she managed a coffee plantation at the foot of Ngong Hills. In 1931, after Denys died in a plane crash and her farm was destroyed by fire, she returned to Denmark and wrote about her experiences in Africa.
The film crew of “Out of Africa” used Karen’s former residence for filming, which was later transformed into the Karen Blixen Museum and opened to the public.
Karen would never forget Denys telling her: “The African highlands at dawn, the air is so fresh and cool it seems you could touch it, giving the illusion that you are not on land but moving along the ocean floor in the deep, dark water.”
Sunrise and sunset, the growth and withering of grass, to the vast expanse of Africa, Denys and Karen might have been just fleeting visitors, but in life, they were masters of their own destiny, living a life without regret.
The movie, filmed in 1985, sets its story in 1914. When Denys invites Karen to travel, he says, “You really should see the Mara River; I’m afraid it will soon be gone.”
However, his prophecy did not come true—neither in 1914 nor in 1985. Even today, many tourists eagerly await the annual spectacle of the “Great Migration” crossing the Mara River in July and August, an unparalleled wonder on Earth.
The Mara River remains untamed and wild. The biggest change in this land is the addition of several high-quality hotels, among which Angama Mara stands out as the most storied and legendary.
On the Ngong Hills, Robert Redford, playing the male lead, lures Meryl Streep, as the female lead, with a picnic.
Many tourists choose Angama Mara hotel to replicate the scene, having a picnic in the same location.
Beneath your feet, herds roam freely, and above, the sky is pure, with bright white clouds drifting by—a scene like a rare piece of art.
Angama is an exclusive luxury safari brand with three properties in Kenya, and Angama Mara is the most famous.
Located in the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Angama Mara sits beside the Great Rift Valley, known as Earth’s scar.
In Swahili, “Angama” means “suspended in the air,” and “Mara” means “spotted,” describing the sparse trees on the savannah. Together, these words convey a sense of “being between heaven and earth,” evoking a secluded beauty.
From a distance, Angama Mara hotel appears to float on a cliff, shrouded in mist, like a floating castle in the sky.
From mid-May each year, wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores leave the Serengeti, drawn to the Maasai Mara region of Kenya by stable temperatures and rich vegetation.
Angama Mara’s location is ideal, just a 10-minute drive from the Mara Triangle, where wildlife is most concentrated, and 20 minutes from where the wildebeest cross the river, with the chance to see endangered black rhinos.
From the loungers on your balcony, you can watch the animal migration on the plains, with the constant melody of birdsong in your ears. This unique advantage has earned it a spot among the “Top 10 View Hotels in the World.”
Angama Mara is operated by Steve Fitzgerald and Nicky Fitzgerald.
You might not recognize their names, but if you’ve heard of their previous venture, And Beyond, you’ll know they are significant figures in African tourism. This couple has designed over 65 hotel projects in Asia and Africa.
In 2013, when they were about to retire, they received the unexpected news that the local Maasai were willing to sell the prime cliffside location to them, which thrilled them. They had waited 15 years for this day.
They decided to postpone their retirement and dedicate the rest of their lives to running Angama Mara. In June 2015, Angama Mara opened its doors. Steve passed away in 2017 due to illness, and the hotel is now managed by Nicky and their daughter.
The hotel stands atop a cliff, its unique exterior eye-catching, with the main building perched on protruding rocks, featuring a stunning glass wall structure around a large chimney-like pillar.
There are thirty individual tents, divided into two camps on either side of the valley.
Each room has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing you to enjoy the scenery from your bed, with each room exceeding 100 square meters in size.
Each room has a large balcony equipped with red rocking chairs, perfect for relaxing or enjoying a private dinner.
The interior design mimics an African hunting lodge, transporting us back to the colonial era of Africa.
Angama Mara offers various outdoor experiences, such as visiting a Maasai village.
On the vast plains, Maasai herders dressed in red, holding sticks, alongside bushes, acacia trees, and wildlife, form a striking landscape of Kenya.
As one of Kenya’s most representative tribes, the Maasai have maintained their pastoral traditions. With their staffs in hand, calm gazes, and standing proudly in the wilderness, the Maasai are not just shepherds but also the kings of this plain.
You can also take a hot air balloon ride to experience the unique beauty of the Maasai Mara from above.
Flying in a colorful hot air balloon, from thousands of feet up, you can look down with a God’s-eye view at the stampeding herds, feeling the raw, epic narrative of the African land, which is the most joyful way to witness the animal migration.
Drifting over the heart of the East African savannah, below you are the vine-covered primeval forests and the wild, survival-driven paths.
A must-do activity is an open-top safari vehicle tour, offering awe and fresh experiences from the Maasai Mara plains.
Among the many safari experiences, walking might be the most challenging, requiring not only stamina and mental resilience but also an experienced guide, which might be even more crucial.
However, discovering the hidden wonders of the savannah along the way is the best reward for the effort.
Zannier’s guides will lead guests away from areas frequented by predators, showcasing only the most enchanting aspects of the savannah. The guide’s rifle is only for scaring off potential threats, never for actual use.
The picnics during the safari are heartwarming, whether in the shade of a giant tree on a cliff or amidst the swaying wildflowers in the lush grass.
Fresh local ingredients and meticulous preparation are presented through impeccable details, showcasing the local butler’s remarkable talent for creating a romantic dining atmosphere.
Taking out exquisite food from the picnic box, paired with a cold Kenyan Tusker beer, sitting in a “restaurant” with an endless view, at this moment, one finds the reason to fall in love with Africa.
Upon returning from the safari, the hotel offers many unique activities. You can visit the gallery displaying African art, crafts, and jewelry, watch Maasai women doing beadwork in the craft studio, or even participate in DIY activities if interested.
For those still full of energy, there’s a fitness center to break a sweat.
Or swim in the 40-foot-long outdoor pool overlooking the savannah.
You can also enjoy a spa treatment on the open terrace, read a book in the library, or watch a movie, all excellent ways to relax. In short, whether you’re out or in, there’s never a dull moment.
The pure, glittering starlit sky is Kenya’s gift to the night, each star shining like a diamond, mesmerizing.
In fact, the best view is right on the private deck of your room, from an energetic breakfast in the morning to a candlelit dinner at sunset, accompanied by the joyful music of the plains. Here, it’s all about the scenery and the cuisine, without any need for romance or worry.
