A Butler’s Day is Never Done

My job of delivering unforgettable memories for our guests at Angama Amboseli — through personalised service and thoughtful touches — starts very early. This means I often witness the sun rising, illuminating its rays over Mount Kilimanjaro as the day comes to life. There is always something to be done. First up? Getting the Guest Area and Butler’s Pantry ready — wiping down, arranging, and ensuring everything is just so. 

I deliver the wake-up-call trays just as the light changes, the scent of fresh coffee curling into the morning air as I knock on the door. Of course, tea and coffee is also served with a selection of delicious cookies in the Guest Area just before my guests depart for their morning safari. Afterwards, I set the tables and get the Butler’s tray ready for breakfast service.

At 07h00, we gather as a team for our morning briefings, where we run through guest preferences and any specific requests to ensure service excellence and note the special occasions and guest delights for the day. As the sun climbs higher, I prepare the Guest Suites for the day’s arrivals and make sure everything is ready, including refreshing their mini bars.

The day fills up quickly with tasks: placing requisitions, restocking service points, setting up meals and, of course, being present throughout service. As the day ends, the evening energy is very high as the guests unwind from a long day of adventure sprinkled with delights. There is no better way to end the day than to serve a delicious meal made by our talented Chefs.

I then bid my guests goodnight after taking their wake-up-call orders and run through the following morning’s programme before handing them over to the Askari team to escort them back to their Suites.

The best part of my job is serving my secret ingredient — genuine connection — which is at the heart of my role. I love building these connections with my guests by learning about their lives, sharing stories and making them feel part of the Angama family by creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I always strive to deliver personalised experiences that resonate with everyone's preferences.

There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing my guests in awe, taking note of, and making their special drink preferences, waiting to serve them lunch on the other side of the property in the Tortilis Forest are some of the small gestures that create lasting impressions. 

Looking back at the past year since I joined Angama, I must admit it has been an interesting journey full of many firsts. This is the place where I got to see my first wildebeest and wild animals (not behind a fence like in the animal parks), and of course, the impressive Mount Kilimanjaro. The best part had been learning the 'Angama Way', where we learn that guest delight is everyone’s business. I am lucky enough to be one of the faces at the front of this culture of warm Kenyan hospitality.