Kenya has some fantastic parks, and Amboseli National Park is the favorite one of all for many travelers. It is a compact park that is easy to get around.
It is a place for unforgettable wildlife encounters, from cheetahs and lions to denning hyenas and up-close elephants.
Looming over the park along its southern side is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain.
may lie across the border in Tanzania, but the best views of all are from Amboseli Park. Amboseli is also deep in the Maasai heartland.
And the wider ecosystem includes many Maasai-run conservancies where you can encounter these true custodians of the land. Here are our expert thoughts on this small but rewarding safari destination in southern Kenya, on the border of Tanzania.
Location of Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is located in Kajiado County in southern Kenya. The park is located about 200 kilometers (a 4 to 5-hour drive) from Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi.
It is very accessible from Nairobi city. And its closeness to Nairobi does mean that lots of Kenyans drive through for weekends and school holidays.
Wildlife In Amboseli National Park
Elephants are easily the main attraction of any Amboseli National Park safari – they are big, they are beautiful, and they are always found in the Enkongo Narok, Ol Tukai, Olokenya, and Longinye swamps that lie in the park’s heart. You will spot African buffaloes wallowing during the heat of the day or the Masai giraffes in the shade of an acacia tree, chewing on their favorite food.
Wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras dot the open plains, but predators are a little harder to spot. Keep your eyes open for that special sighting: lions feeding on a kill, a leopard lazing on a tree branch, or a cheetah running at incredible speed across the savannah.
Laughing hyenas are a treat to watch, too. Spending time at a den makes you appreciate their complex social interactions.
The birding in Amboseli National Park is also exceptional, with around 420 recorded bird species, which is more than you will find in many countries.
How to Get To Amboseli National Park?
You can get to Amboseli National Park by road or air. Either way, Amboseli is very accessible from Nairobi city. Its closeness to Nairobi does mean that lots of Kenyans drive through for weekends and school holidays.
Accommodation in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park has a number of accommodation options in and outside the park. Adventurous travelers may prefer a camping safari.
The campsites inside the park are at fantastic locations, but the private campsites outside the park generally have better facilities.
There is also a variety of lodges to choose from. Most accommodation options are located outside the Kimani Gate.
Some of the best places to stay inside the park include Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge and Ol Tukai Lodge, which have a fabulous location and lovely grounds.
Tortilis Camp is an elegant and nicely secluded luxury tented camp away from the busier areas of the park, but still with fantastic Kilimanjaro views.
Other places to stay in Amboseli National Park include;
- Tulia Amboseli Camp
- Kibo Safari Lodge
- Elerai Camp
- Tawi Lodge
- Kilima Safari Camp
- AA Lodge
- Sentrim Amboseli Camp
When Is the Best Time to Visit Amboseli National Park?
Though you can visit Amboseli National Park at any time of year, it is best to go in the dry months (June to October and January to February). The dry season (June to October) offers the best wildlife viewing as the animals congregate around available water. However, this does mean contending with higher costs and visitor densities. The rainy seasons can make traversing the park and spotting wildlife tricky. That said, the scenery is arguably at its most spectacular with the dampening of the dust.
June to October –Dry Season
Wildlife viewing is better when it is dry, and animals gather at water sources
Malaria is much less of a problem in the Dry season
It can get very dry and dusty
The sky is hazy, and the scenery isn’t as pretty
The views of Mount Kilimanjaro are less spectacular
November to May –Wet Season
Scenically, the park is at its best
April to June is the low season, and lower rates may apply
Plenty of animals to be seen despite being the Wet season
The best time for bird watching and migratory birds are present
Views of Kilimanjaro are best after rainfall, when the sky is clear of dust
Road conditions can be bad in April and May
Planned activities such as game drives may be interrupted in the peak rainfall months, especially in April
