Enjoy a Romantic Out of Africa Picnic at Angama Mara

The Out of Africa Experience

Many of our guests tell us that Out of Africa is their most-loved film of all time – for some this may be why they chose to come to Africa. By a quirk of fate, Angama Mara was built on the same site that many of the most memorable scenes from Out of Africa were filmed. Travel back in time to the Golden Age of safaris and celebrate this treasured piece of literary history.

Relive the Love Story

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Whether you’re an aficionado or not, you can immerse yourself in all the touchpoints of the novel or film that Angama has to offer

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Subtle nods to ‘Out of Africa’ can be found throughout Angama. If you’ve read the novel or watched the film, see if you can find them all scattered around the lodge

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Even if you’re not familiar with ‘Out of Africa’, you’ll enjoy the special movie-related experiences — for example, the private picnic on the Out of Africa kopje, or sundowners on the Saddle featured in the movie’s poster

A Picnic Just for Two

Enjoy an intimate picnic on the crest of the Out of Africa kopje. Discover an old-world private picnic scene: checked blankets, comfy cushions, canvas safari chairs, a wicker picnic basket, sparkling wine on ice, coffee in a Stanley flask, elegant picnic food and of course, that view.

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Picnics can be enjoyed any time of the day

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After being led to the site by a Maasai naturalist, you will be left to enjoy your picnic in total privacy

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Have the Photographic Studio capture this iconic scene for you

Sundowners on the Saddle

The film’s iconic poster was shot on the saddle between the hills on which one of our camps is built — the one we call the Out of Africa kopje. We set the scene with director’s chairs, folded blankets, picnic boxes, antique items and champagne on ice, a beautiful table laden with drinks and bitings — all with endless views of the Mara.

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Rummage through the ‘dress-up’ box to add to the fun

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Our on-property photographer will recreate that Out of Africa moment for families and groups

An Out of Africa Dinner

Enjoy an elegant dinner in the Angama Map Room, which will be set, evocative of the era, with white damask table linen, candles, and white roses, and music from the movie playing gently in the background.

If the evening marks a celebration such as a birthday or anniversary, guests are invited to honour the tradition of Karen Blixen, which was to tell stories about the person or couple over cognac at the dinner table next to the fire.

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The Out of Africa dinner is ideal for groups, both big and small

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Ask us about our special Out of Africa-themed pre-dinner Scavenger Hunt

In Every Tented Suite

Enjoy the little details that honour the book and film, such as a lovely edition of Out of Africa in every guest tent. You will also find a copy of the enchanting Longing For Darkness: Kamante’s Tales from Out of Africa, by Peter Beard and Kamante, Blixen’s major-domo. Yet another nod to the film is the screen that stands next to the Blixen-inspired bathtub.

In the Guest Areas

One of the most striking pieces in the Guest Area is a pair of plantation chairs identical to the one used on the set — Meryl Streep sits on this handsome wooden and wicker lounger made by Nairobi’s acclaimed furniture designer, Mark van Rampelberg. In the library, you will find a little yellow bi-plane similar to the one flown by Denys Finch Hatton, while a single red rose serves as a tribute to Karen Blixen (she was presented with one by a literary admirer every day towards the end of her life). It is the only flower in the lodge.

Finch Hatton’s ‘Burial’ Site

Who could forget the touching scene where Streep delivers a heart-wrenching eulogy at Finch Hatton’s burial? This is the same site featured at the end of the film, where the lions came to visit his grave a year later. All of this was filmed right here on our property, and guests can pay their respects at the beautiful moth tree, with a special commemorative plaque marking the spot.

Above: Karen Blixen’s “iguana” is actually the agama lizard found near Angama (no relation)

Charlotte Ross Stewart | 18 January 2022

Shoot Not the Iguana

The night before my final interview with Nicky Fitzgerald, I watched Meryl Streep gracefully stride across the surroundings of Angama Mara in Out of Africa…