Fodor's Expert Review Amboseli Sopa Lodge

When Ernest Hemingway wrote The Snows of Kilimanjaro, he stayed near the area on which this attractive lodge was eventually built. It's in lush established gardens in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro near the Tanzanian border. You'll stay in a roomy mud-and-thatch en suite hut, gaily decorated with wood, animal motifs, and brightly colored soft furnishings. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and lunch buffet inside in the big African-theme dining room, or eat out beside the pool, where there's also a pleasant poolside bar. In the evening sit down to a four-course meal where you can choose between European, African, or Asian dishes. There is a stunning lounge area and great viewing deck. It's also a great place for kids—there's plenty of room for them to run around, a lovely pool, and babysitters are always available if you want to be child-free for an evening. The lodge offers lots of activities including game drives, guided walks, and trips to Maasai villages. If you want to have a go at climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, the lodge can arrange that, too.