Imagine waking up to the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro as your backdrop and herds of elephants as a daily sight – Amboseli National Park is nothing short of breathtaking. With its stunning scenery, rich wildlife and proximity to Nairobi, this Kenyan game reserve has to come onto your Kenya bucketlist!
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to about visiting the Amboseli National Park, the highlights of wildlife and which lodges in Amboseli to stay at.
Exploring Amboseli National Park: Essential Info
How long is it from Nairobi to Amboseli?
Amboseli National Park, a gem of wildlife and stunning landscapes, is approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Nairobi. This distance makes it a convenient destination just a few hours away from the bustling city.
Here’s how you can get to Amboseli National Park:
By Road
Driving from Nairobi to Amboseli is one of the most popular ways to reach the park. It’s idea to enjoy the scenic route and stop at interesting spots along the way. The drive typically takes around 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic. If you are experienced in driving in Africa, I recommend going for a road trip and renting an adventure car to get to the park yourself.
By Air
For a quicker and more comfortable journey, flying to Amboseli is a great option. Several airlines operate daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Amboseli’s airstrip. The flight takes about 45 minutes, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Kenyan landscape and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Airlines like Safarilink, Air Kenya, and Fly-SAX provide regular flights to Amboseli. For these flights, you’d head to Wilson Airport, located just a few kilometers from Nairobi’s city center. Most lodges and camps offer transfer services from the airstrip to your accommodation.
By Train
Whether you’re in Nairobi or Mombasa, the Madaraka SGR is a fantastic and affordable option to get to Amboseli. Only 1.5 hours from Nairobi and 5 hours from Mombasa, the ticket ranges between 1100 and 1500 KHS (8,30-11,30 USD).
You’d exit at the Emali SGR station and have your lodge in Amboseli let you pick up. From Emali, depending on where your lodge is, it’s a roughly 2-hour drive.
How much is the entry fee for Amboseli National Park?
The entry fee for Amboseli National Park varies depending on your residency status and age. Here are the current rates:
Non-Residents:
Adults: $60 USD per day
Children (3-17 years): $35 USD per day
You can pay the entry right at the park or through the eCitizen Government Platform. For more info, head to the Kenya Wildlife Service homepage.
Kenya Wifi & Internet
When it comes to staying connected, Wi-Fi is available in your lodge only. You can consider getting a local Safaricom SIM card in Nairobi or Mombasa.
If you need mobile internet access on the go, purchasing an eSIM card is a convenient option. For the duration of your Amboseli safari, check out Airalo for great data packages that offer affordable internet access.
Best time to visit Amboseli?
Amboseli National Park is a year-round destination, but certain times offer more favorable conditions for wildlife viewing and overall safari experiences.
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park is during the dry season, from June to October. This period offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources, and the weather is clear with better views of Mount Kilimanjaro. However, it’s also the peak tourist season, so the park can be crowded, and prices for accommodation and tours are higher.
The short rainy season, from November to December, brings fewer tourists, lush green landscapes, and excellent bird-watching opportunities due to migratory birds. The long rainy season, from March to May, offers vibrant scenery and lower prices, but heavy rains can make some areas inaccessible and wildlife harder to spot.
The transition months, January and February, are warm and mostly dry, providing good wildlife viewing conditions, though it can get quite hot.
Why is Amboseli National Park Famous: The Best 6 Things That Make it Special
Game Drive Day in Amboseli National Park
One of the biggest highlights of Amboseli is the breathtaking view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. The snow-capped peak provides a stunning backdrop to the park’s landscape.
The park is also famous for its large herds of elephants and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous bird species. The park’s wetlands attract a significant number of water birds – especially flocks of flamingos!
Your guide will know the best tracks within the park and where to spot which animal. There is a great Observation Hill Spot that offers stunning views of the plains – and one of the few washroom stops.
For the ultimate safari experience from Nairobi, I recommend booking this adventurous 2 days Amboseli National Park Tour. This short safari will allow you to overnight in a lodge in Amboseli while making the most out of your game drive. If you are short on time, I suggest booking this full-day Amboseli game drive experience.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
If you’ve never done a hot air balloon ride, Amboseli makes it possible! You’ll start early in the morning to take advantage of the calm winds and see the country awake.
The balloon ride usually lasts about an hour, offering a serene and panoramic view of the park. With some luck, you’ll also be able to spot wildlife from the air! One of the most popular and trusted operators is Kilimanjaro Balloon Safaris.
Bush Picnic with Mt Kilimanjaro Views
Since you’re having a true safari experience, you also need to have a traditional bush picnic. Within the conservancies, each of the Amboseli lodges typically has its preferred spot for a sunrise game drive and following bush picnic.
Having a private bush picnic, basically on the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, is an experience you’ll never forget. Surrounded by nature, you might even hear the occasional lion roar in the distance (pretty magical if you ask me!).
Maasai Village Visit
Amboseli is also known for its Maasai culture. The Maasai are indigenous to the area, and visiting their villages is one of the most special things you can do in Amboseli.
If you start in Nairobi, I recommend booking this wildlife-packed Amboseli day tour that includes a Masai Village Visit. This is the ideal combination of exploring Amboseli National Park and get to know the Masai culture.
The Maasai are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists, relying on cattle, goats, and sheep for their livelihood. Cattle are central to their culture, serving as a measure of wealth and social status. Maasai communities live in compounds called bomas, which are circular enclosures made from branches and mud. These bomas house extended families and their livestock.
Maasai men and women wear brightly colored cloths known as shukas. Red is the predominant color, symbolizing bravery and unity.
Since music and dance are integral to Maasai culture, it’s the first thing you’ll encounter. Once you enter, you’ll see the villagers gather and greet you with a dance. The adumu, or jumping dance, is a well-known performance where morans jump high in the air, showcasing their strength and endurance.
During a walk around the Boma, you have the chance to learn more about the culture. The Maasai guide will explain their traditions, show you a local house from the inside and answer any of your burning questions!
A visit to a Maasai village typically ends with a visit to their very own Maasai market behind the village. Maasai beadwork is intricate and symbolic. Women craft and wear beaded jewelry that signifies their age, marital status, and social position. Have a walk around, buy some unique souvenirs or join them on how to make some beads yourself!
Game Drive in Conservancies
Besides the Amboseli National Park, you also have the chance to go on game drives in the local conservancies. These conservancies around Amboseli National Park play a crucial role in wildlife conservation and community development. The amazing thing is that they work in collaboration with local Maasai communities to protect the environment and wildlife while promoting sustainable tourism.
It’s important to note that conservancies help maintain critical wildlife corridors that allow animals to move freely between different protected areas. They play a key role in preserving the rich biodiversity of the Amboseli ecosystem, protecting various species of flora and fauna.
Sundowner at Gorge
As with every safari, you want to end your adventure-filled days the best way – with a sundowner. Every lodge will likely have its preferred spot, and for us, it was right next to a gorge. The sound of baboons in the distance, we had our own bar stocked with wine, cocktails, and beer – ready to be served. Our Maasai guide Lemaron was telling us stories and myths from his Maasai culture. Maasai culture is just something special and being in Amboseli makes it even easier to discover.
Where to Stay in Amboseli?
Best Lodges Amboseli
Elephant Gorge Camp by Atua Enkop Africa: The stunning eco-luxury camp sits within the Aloca Conservancy, located on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. With its wonderfully decorated mess, outdoor pool with views of the waterhole, and luxury suites including family suites having a jacuzzi – this camp offers everything you can wish for. The experiences range from bush picnics to game drives, sundowners, bonfire nights to drives to Amboseli National Park. The waterhole has to be one of the most stunning features, with herds of elephants frequenting it.
Kibo Safari Lodge: Is another great option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly camp within the Amboseli region. Equipped with an outdoor pool, garden and bar, this camp offers over 70 self-contained tents for single, double or family occupation.
Book The Top Lodges Amboseli Here
Seeing the abundant herds of elephants roaming the plains, Mt. Kilimanjaro peaking through the clouds and sometimes, the roaring of hyenas and lions just makes this region so special. Amboseli is ideal for anybody looking for a convenient safari, right near Nairobi or Mombasa.
Keen on more East Africa travel inspo? Check out these posts!
Kenya Masai Mara: a 3-Day Conservation Safari You’ll Love
Longer Kenya itinerary? Head to my 10-Day Kenya itinerary and the 30 gems you’ll love!
Keen to visit Kenya’s biggest National Park? Head to Tsavo and find out why it’s amazing!
Been to Zanzibar? Find out about the best activities & things to do in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
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