Amboseli National Park is 392 sq km at the core of an 8,000 sq km ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is in southern Kenya and famed for its large elephant herds and views of immense Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. 

The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust” and covers five main wildlife habitats such as open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps, and marshland and covers part of a Pleistocene Lake basin, now dry. 

Things to do in Amboseli National Park

Game Safaris, Bush Breakfasts, and Sundowners.

Game Safaris are conducted all day long however it is best to have them early at 6:30 am to 11:30 am and at 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm. During this time you can be able to see the high concentration of animals on water banks quenching their thirst. Look out for the 

Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-dik, Le Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine and Bushbabies among others. Take a moment to sit back, and enjoy the spectacular views, the smells, the colors, and the gentle breeze.

Bush breakfasts are a chance to enjoy a full breakfast surrounded by wildlife in the middle of the plains. Wind down the day with a Sundowners safari tradition – after a day of safari; stop, and watch the spectacular sunset; traditionally with a drink of your choice in hand!

Guided Nature walk and Observation Hill

The park is naturally rewarded with stunning vegetation, swamps, and mammal species that can be encountered on your nature walk experience. A guided nature walk in Amboseli National Park can be conducted around the park and on the observation hills.

A guided nature walk is the best way of adventuring to the hidden treasures of the park since it is done on foot and also gives a chance to have closer viewing of wild animals such as herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes among others as you listen to sweet melodies of birds singing as well as having rewardable sightseeing with backdrop of snowcapped Kilimanjaro and leave with wondrous experience once in lifetime.

On your guided walk visit the Observation Hill situated in the west part of the park, Observation Hill is a cone-shaped hill where you can get out of your vehicle and take a walk. It is one of the famous places to visit in Amboseli and offers a stunning view of the surrounding plains and swamps, as well as Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.

Bird watching and Sinet Delta

Amboseli National Park is an ideal place for birding since it is home to over 400 bird species and they can be spotted along swamp areas, grasslands, and acacia woodland. The Sinet Delta is one of the Key attractions in the park. It’s a birder paradise and displays a wide range of bird species.

The Delta is located in the Northern part of Amboseli National Park. The Sinet Delta is dominated by the thicket vegetation that habits more bird species. The other vegetation around the Delta is swamp vegetation that is mixed up with open savannah grassland.

There are also many Giraffes and other animals at the delta that guests can enjoy viewing. Look out for bird species like the globally threatened Madagascar Pond-Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Lesser Kestrel, and over 40 birds of prey. Other bird species include Lilac-breasted Roller, African swamphen, Taveta Golden Weaver, falcon, Vulnerable Lesser Kestrel, Grey Crowned Crane, Falcon Naumanni, Steel-blue Whydah, Eurasian thick-kneel, Common redshank, Rufous-naped lark, Goliath heron, African fish eagle, Double-banded Courser, White-faced Whistling-Duck, African Pygmy-Goose, and Blue-billed Teal.

Community-Based Tours / Cultural Tours

The park is surrounded by the local community ‘’Maasai people’’ on your visit to Amboseli National Park you can visit these local people in the afternoon time. And get to learn about their unique way of life such as their thrilling traditional dances as they jump up and down you can join them and leave with quite a remarkable experience once in a lifetime, unique clothing, you can as well as participate in the re-afforestation by planting seeds with them.

Walking safaris with local Maasai guides are encouraged so that guests have the opportunity to find out, first hand, about the Maasai culture, stimulating pride and desire among the community to preserve their traditions and customs.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

This is a rewarding activity conducted very early in the early as you can be able to fly the skies of Amboseli National Park and have a great rewardable aerial viewing of herds of elephants, buffaloes, the plains, birds of the air, and many more. From the savannah grasslands to the Nyika plateau to the tropical rainforests to beautiful wildlife, the scene is breathtaking.

Where to stay at Amboseli National Park

Elerai Camp

Satao Elerai Camp is located in a quiet, unspoiled, unique setting on a 5000-acre private conservation area 12 km southeast of Amboseli. Elerai Camp has five Cottage Rooms and twelve mountain-facing Deluxe Tents, both designed to ensure that your stay will be in complete luxury.

Each Deluxe Tent has its ensuite bathroom with a spacious shower and a toilet with a mountain view. Raised cedar wood floors, acacia poles, and makuti (thatch) roofing complement the surrounding environment. Large balconies with relaxing day beds offer the perfect place to relax & watch the moods of the mountain.

The elegantly furnished en-suite cottages have large sliding doors that open out onto your verandah overlooking the plains below and Amboseli National Park. Look out for the Elephant, Giraffe, and Zebra from the comfort of your room. They are designed using natural rock and acacia wood, the bathrooms have their own naturally crafted bathtub and shower which is unique to Elerai.

The dining room looks out onto Mt. Kilimanjaro to the South and down across the resident waterhole to the plains of Amboseli to the West. Other facilities swimming pool and a campfire. 

Elewana Tortilis Camp

The camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and is situated in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland, with the majestic backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, and the World’s highest free-standing mountain, snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

It comprises 16 tents with a glorious view of the mountain. Each makuti-covered tent consists of a main bedroom with twin or double beds, an en-suite bathroom, and a spacious verandah. The tents are all large and spacious, with king or twin beds, and elegant en suite bathrooms.

There is a main lounge, bar, and dining area all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs, with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate from the main camp, upon the hill where they share an outdoor swimming pool.  A terrace outdoor furniture and a garden are also added facilities at the camp. 

Kilima Safari Lodge

Kilima safari camp is located in Amboseli National Park, next to the Kimana Gate Park entrance. The camp is set out on a 420-acre site with a spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Kimana area of Amboseli is famous for its large elephant population. Clients can enjoy great game viewing from their tents which face the animal water pools and all public areas and guest rooms are set towards Mount Kilimanjaro.

All 72 tents at the camp are en-suite with a seating area and a private bathroom. They are categorized into 50 classic safari tents each with a large private balcony, 10 Superior Safari tents with lion-claw bathtubs, and 12 lodge rooms each with a large private balcony.

Other facilities include a restaurant and bar, conference facilities, swimming pool, kids pool, campfire, gift shop, spa, and massage lounge. 

The Best Time to Visit Amboseli Park

The park can be visited all year round however the best time is January – February and June to October which is great for game viewing when grass is shorter which makes animals easier to spot and they don’t stray far from water sources.   The months of November to May are rainy seasons or green seasons and there are short rains.

April and May are the longer rainy seasons. The rainy seasons are great for photography when the vegetation is lush and green and landscapes look amazing. These are also great months for birding especially the migrant bird species that color the skies that are clear of dust. 

Getting to Amboseli National Park

By Road

Amboseli National Park can be easily accessed from Nairobi the main city of Kenya using Namanga Road to pass via Meshanini gate which takes 240 kilometers and is a 4-hour drive.

Then from Nairobi to Emali tarmac using Mombasa Road, it covers a distance of 228 kilometers by drive in 3 hours.

By Air

Domestic flights that fly to Amboseli National Park are in the form of charter flights or scheduled flights. These set off from Nairobi Wilson Airport and Moi Airport Mombasa which flies you to one of Amboseli airstrips which takes 30 minutes.