Ultimate Travel Guide for Amboseli National Park Safaris
Amboseli National Park is a small park located south of Nairobi. It covers an area of 39,206 hectares (151 sq. mi / 392 sq. km) and stretches north into Tanzania, forming the heart of an 8,000 sq. km ecosystem.
In the background, Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, rises 5,885 meters above sea level. This creates a beautiful view that makes Amboseli one of the most popular national parks in Kenya. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust,” which refers to the volcanic ash that covered the area millions of years ago from Kilimanjaro’s eruptions. Amboseli is also famous worldwide as one of the best places to see giant elephants up close.
The park attracts many nature lovers who come to see its rich wildlife and explore five different ecosystems. These include wetlands with sulfur springs, the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, woodlands, and savannah. The park is also home to the Maasai people, who offer visitors authentic cultural experiences.
Besides large herds of free-ranging elephants, Amboseli hosts thousands of other animals. It also offers great chances to enjoy wide-open skies and swampy springs.
Two water springs in the park’s center are fed by underground water. They provide a vital water source for the many animals living here.
Amboseli’s landscape is mostly grasslands and savannah. But you will also find dry lake beds, thorny bushes, acacia forests, marshes, and swamps.
Amboseli Park Entry Fees
Like all national parks in Kenya, visitors must pay entry fees. These fees vary by category and are charged per person per day.
Wildlife in Amboseli
Elephants are the main highlight of Amboseli, but there is more to see. The park is home to over 56 animal species, including large herds of Cape buffalo, Grevy’s and Burchell’s zebras, white-bearded wildebeests, elands, hartebeests, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, hippos, waterbucks, jackals, giraffes, and wild dogs.
During the day, most animals gather near the Ol Okenya Wetland. Elephants move slowly with their large tusks, feeding and bathing in the swamp.
At night, you might spot shy animals like leopards, cheetahs, and mongooses. Lions, hyraxes, dik-diks, lesser kudus, porcupines, and hyenas are also seen.
Birds of Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is a top bird-watching spot in Kenya, with about 600 bird species recorded. The wetlands attract water birds such as pelicans, crowned cranes, herons, and cattle egrets.
Pink flamingos visit the park during the rainy months of March, April, May, October, November, and December.
Grassland birds include Hartlaub’s bustard, Rufous chatterer, African jacana, and the local Pangani longclaw. Birds that prefer dry areas live in the acacia woodlands. These include Von der Decken’s hornbill, white-bellied go-away-bird, and steel-blue whydah.
Other Conservancies Near Amboseli National Park
Selenkay Conservancy
Selenkay Conservancy covers 15,000 acres and lies 16 kilometers north of Amboseli’s border. It is one of Kenya’s oldest community-led conservancies. The government created it after buying land from the Maasai people to protect wildlife from poaching, which was a big problem before. This effort also gives local people a way to earn income besides farming.
Selenkay’s land connects with Amboseli to the north and offers great views of Mount Kilimanjaro, especially at dusk when the skies are clear. When clouds clear, visitors can see Kilimanjaro’s ice-covered peak, making early mornings and late evenings great for photography.
Like Amboseli, Selenkay is home to thousands of elephants, seen both in bull groups and family herds.
Access is easy thanks to good roads. There is one tourist safari camp here, making it a quiet place where wildlife is less used to humans. This makes it ideal for adventurous travelers.
Kitirua Conservancy
Kitirua is a special place covering 30,000 acres, about 50% bigger than Selenkay Conservancy. It lies along the Amboseli-Tanzania border, giving easy access to Amboseli’s wetlands and grazing lands.
Other Tourist Activities in Amboseli National Park
- Maasai Cultural Tour: The Maasai people have lived here for a long time. Visitors can tour their villages to enjoy their culture and traditions. The Maasai still live as herders far from modern life. They perform traditional dances, songs, and tell stories. Their clothes, art, food, and language are also very interesting to see.
- Sinet Delta: Sinet Delta is one of the few lakes south of Amboseli. It offers great views of Mount Kilimanjaro and is a perfect spot for bird lovers. The thick plants around the lake attract many giraffes.
- Elephant Research Camp: Elephants are the star attraction of Amboseli, drawing tourists worldwide. The Elephant Research Camp gives behind-the-scenes experiences about elephant care and conservation. The camp is not open to the public, but visits can be arranged in advance for small groups on certain days.
- Nature Walk: Visitors can take guided nature walks with armed rangers. If you want a break from the safari vehicle, you can walk in Amboseli’s wild areas, which are full of wildlife, birds, and beautiful views.
- Observation Hill: Observation Hill is a cone-shaped hill in the park’s western part. It offers great views of the swamps and plains. You can get out of the jeep here, walk around, and take photos of Mount Kilimanjaro from afar.
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris: Hot air balloon rides are a popular activity in Amboseli. They give a chance to see wildlife and the park’s scenery from the sky. These rides float over the wide grasslands, Nyika Plateau, and tropical forests at the park’s heart.
Visiting Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is a small but special park that welcomes all visitors. It is close to Nairobi and can be fully explored in one or two days. The park is in the middle of famous safari areas, near both northern Tanzania and southern Kenya.
Nearby are well-known parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Kilimanjaro National Parks. In Kenya, you can combine a visit to Amboseli with trips to Tsavo East and West, Maasai Mara, Nakuru, or even enjoy a beach holiday in Mombasa.
Near Amboseli, the small but beautiful Chyulu Hills await visitors. Hiking here takes you around volcanic hills with great views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The area is home to many animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, and different kinds of antelope.
Best Time to Visit Amboseli National Park
You can visit Amboseli any time of the year. But the best time to see wildlife and enjoy the views is during the dry seasons, from June to October and December to February.
During these months, animals gather around water holes and marshes. These places also attract predators hunting for food.
Getting to Amboseli National Park
By Road
The main road from Nairobi to Namanga gate is 240 km long. It is mostly paved and follows the Nairobi-Arusha highway through Meshanani Gate. However, the last 75 km from Namanga to Meshanani Gate is not paved.
A shorter road is 228 km long and goes through Emali along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. The Nairobi to Emali part is paved, but the final 64 km from Emali to Remito Gate is not.
Most visitors enter Amboseli through Tsavo West National Park and use the Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate to get into Amboseli.
By Air
You can also reach Amboseli by plane. There are several airstrips in and near the park. The main airstrip is at Empusel Gate. Another airstrip for small planes is at Olekelunyiet Gate. Additional airstrips are found in Namanga town.
