Kajiado County · southern Kenya
Amboseli National Park
Elephant country beneath Kilimanjaro, with swamps that hold game through the dry months.
- Country
- Kenya
- Typical access
- Road from Nairobi
- Usual stay
- 1–2 nights
- Terrain
- Dry lake bed, volcanic soils, permanent swamp, acacia woodland
Overview
What Amboseli is.
Amboseli is dry, flat and wide, and it sits directly under the north face of Kilimanjaro. On clear mornings the mountain fills the horizon; by late morning it usually disappears into cloud, which is why early drives matter here more than in most parks.
Meltwater from Kilimanjaro surfaces as permanent swamps in the middle of the park. Those swamps are the reason elephants, buffalo and hippo stay through the dry season while the surrounding plains harden and bleach.
The park is small enough to cover properly in a full day, which makes it an efficient second or third stop on a Kenyan circuit.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see.
- Large elephant herds, including well-known big-tusked bulls
- Buffalo, hippo and waterbuck in the swamps
- Lion, cheetah and spotted hyena
- Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and gerenuk
- Pelican, flamingo and a long list of waterbirds on Lake Amboseli when it fills
Experiences
How the days work here.
Kilimanjaro at first light
The mountain is normally clearest at dawn and again briefly at dusk.
Swamp-edge game drives
Elephants move between dry plain and swamp through the day, often at close range.
Observation Hill
A short walk up a volcanic rise giving a rare overview of the swamps and the plains.
Best time to visit
When to come to Amboseli.
- June – OctoberDry season. Game concentrates on the swamps and dust makes for dramatic light.
- January – FebruaryDry, hot and clear. Often the best mountain views of the year.
- March – MayLong rains. Green, quiet and good for birds; the mountain is often hidden.
- November – DecemberShort rains. Green, few vehicles, generally good value.
Where you stay
Our shortlist at each level.
Properties Ndurumo may recommend or use at each level. Final accommodation is confirmed with your quotation and remains subject to availability.
Budget
Nyati Safari Camp
Midrange
Kibo Safari Camp, Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
Luxury
Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli
Routes that include Amboseli
Safaris through here.
Kenya · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Private Amboseli Safari
Elephant country under Kilimanjaro, on a private vehicle from Nairobi.
Nairobi · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya · 6 daysclassic safari
6 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Safari
Three of Kenya's best-known parks, with a full day in two of them.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya · 7 daysclassic safari
7 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli Safari
A full week across Kenya's Rift Valley and south to Kilimanjaro's shadow.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya · 8 daysclassic safari
8 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo East Private Safari
The broad Kenyan circuit, ending in the red-earth wilderness of Tsavo.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Tsavo East · Nairobi
Kenya · 9 daysprivate safari
9 Days Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Maasai Mara & Amboseli Private Safari
The long way round Kenya: northern deserts, Rift Valley lakes, grassland and Kilimanjaro.
Nairobi · Samburu · Lake Nakuru · Lake Baringo & Bogoria · Maasai Mara · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya & Tanzania · 10 daysclassic safari
10 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
One ecosystem seen from both sides, plus Kilimanjaro's shadow in between.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 11 daysclassic safari
11 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The ten-day circuit with Lake Manyara added, and less driving on the Tanzanian side.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 12 daysclassic safari
12 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The longest cross-border circuit, with a full stationary day in the Serengeti.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Questions
About Amboseli.
Will I see Kilimanjaro?
Often, but not reliably. The mountain is usually clearest at sunrise and around sunset, and cloud can hide it for a full day in the wet months.
Can Amboseli be done as a short trip?
Yes. Three days from Nairobi gives a travel day in, a full day in the park and a travel day out, which is how Ndurumo's private Amboseli route is built.
Plan your safari
Build a trip around Amboseli.
Tell us your dates and how long you have, and we will shape a route that gives Amboseli the time it deserves.