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 safari bucket list!
Amboseli National Park is one of the easiest and most rewarding safaris you can do in Kenya, especially if you’re short on time or visiting for the first time. Amboseli works perfectly as a 1-2 day safari from Nairobi or as an add-on after the coast.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan an Amboseli safari, what experiences are truly worth it, where to stay, and when it makes sense to book a guided tour versus going independently. This is based on my own time in Amboseli, staying in a conservancy lodge and spending full days on game drives.
Essentials for Your Amboseli National Park Safari
How to Get to Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park, a gem of wildlife and stunning landscapes, is about 4–5 hours by car from Nairobi, making day or overnight trips easy. Flights from Wilson Airport take around 45 minutes, and most lodges provide transfers. The SGR train to Emali is an option, but adds extra travel.
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-Resident Adults: $90 USD per day.
Non-Resident Children: $45 USD per day.
Payment Note: You must pay via the eCitizen platform before arrival. Cash is no longer accepted at the gates, and the park is strictly cashless. For more info, head to the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Kenya Wifi & Internet
When it comes to staying connected, Wi-Fi is available only in your lodge. To be connected right from the get-go and share your safari experience, make sure to purchase an eSIM card for Kenya.
Best Time to Visit Amboseli National Park?
Amboseli can be visited year-round, but June to October is ideal for clear views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and active wildlife. January and February are warm with fewer crowds, while the rainy season (March to May) brings green landscapes but can make roads muddy.
How to Plan an Amboseli Safari
Option 1: Amboseli as a Day Trip from Nairobi
This works if you’re short on time and want a first safari experience without committing to multiple days. Booking this full-day Amboseli Tour will be ideal to spend most of the day on game drives and return to Nairobi in the evening.
It’s fast-paced, but you still get a real taste of Amboseli’s wildlife and scenery. If you’re already in Nairobi and can only spare one day, this is the simplest option.
Option 2: A 2-Day Amboseli Safari from Nairobi
This is the sweet spot!
With one overnight inside or near the park, you get early morning and late afternoon game drives, which are the best times for wildlife and Kilimanjaro views. You’re not rushed, and the experience feels far more immersive than a day trip.
If you’re booking your first safari or want elephants, scenery, and comfort without going all-in on a long itinerary, this 2 Day Amboseli Safari Tour with accommodation is the option I’d recommend.
Option 3: Amboseli as Part of a Multi-Day Safari
Amboseli pairs beautifully with other parks. Many travelers combine it with:
Maasai Mara for big cat sightings
Tsavo East or West for raw landscapes and fewer crowds
The Kenyan coast for a safari and beach combination
If you have a week or more in Kenya, adding Amboseli to a longer safari route such as this 7 Day Masai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Nakuru Tour gives you variety without repeating the same experience!
Where to Stay in Amboseli National Park
Staying inside or near the park means you wake up to views of elephants grazing against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, cut travel time to game drives, and can catch sunrise and sunset wildlife moments without rushing.
For Gold-Rated Eco-Luxury: Reserve your cottage at Tawi Lodge for a “Luxury with a Conscience” experience. Tawi sits on its own 3,000-acre private conservancy right at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Every thatched-roof cottage faces the mountain, meaning you can literally watch the sunrise over the peak from your bathtub.
For the “Center of the Action”: Book Ol Tukai Lodge if you want to be inside the park. Ol Tukai is legendary for being one of the best spots in the world to see elephants. Because you are already inside the gates, you’re the first one on the trails at 6:00 AM while everyone else is still queuing at the entrance.
For Ultimate Seclusion: Book your stay at Elephant Gorge Camp if you want to skip the crowds. This is where I personally stayed, and it’s a total hidden gem. Located in a private conservancy, you get luxury tents with private jacuzzis and a deck that overlooks a very active waterhole. It’s the kind of place where you don’t even need a game drive to see wildlife – the elephants come to you. It’s intimate, eco-conscious, and perfect for a high-end romantic escape.
Book your safari lodge early; the available ones fill up quickly!
Amboseli National Park, Kenya Safari Highlights
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, buffalo, and numerous bird species. The park’s wetlands attract a significant number of water birds – especially flocks of flamingos!
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 very well 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.
A stop at a Maasai village adds a cultural touch to your Amboseli safari. You’ll meet locals dressed in traditional shukas, learn about their semi-nomadic lifestyle, and see how they craft intricate beadwork.
Many tours include a short walk through the boma, a glimpse into local homes, and sometimes even a mini workshop on making beads. It’s a quick but meaningful way to connect with the culture without taking up a full half-day.
Game Drive in Conservancies
Besides the Amboseli National Park, you can also 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.
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.
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.
Ready for more adventures in Africa? Check out my other posts!
Explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a 3 day Zimbabwe Holiday!
Safari in Kenya? Plan your Ultimate 3 Day Safari in Kenya Maasai Mara
Longer Kenya itinerary? Head to my 10-Day Kenya itinerary and the 30 gems to love!
Women Travel Essentials I Can’t Live Without
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