Amboseli National Park
Safari suitability: 9/10
Find your tourElephants at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and close proximity to major international airports.
What YAS members think
Highlights
- Views of majestic, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro
- Masai villages
- Safari by vehicle, horseback and hot air balloon
- Big five present
- January through March and July through October are the best times to visit
About Amboseli National Park
Located in the Loitoktok District of Kenya’s Rift Valley province, home to the Masai, Amboseli National Park—previously known as Masai Amboseli Game Reserve—is located 140 km (87 miles) south of Nairobi and just northwest of snow-capped, free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro. The Kilimanjaro-adjacent park is known for its elephants and proffers 392 km² (151 miles²) of remarkable scenery.
Part of a larger ecosystem surrounding the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Amboseli is a study in contrasts, mingling the browns of savannah and elephant with the blues of mountain and sky to grand effect and plentiful habitat. Plains, woodland, bush country, swamp and marshland dot the park, and impala, cheetah, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra ramble alongside the big five, beneath hundreds of flitting bird species and against the background of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Underground water supplied by the mountain’s ice cap and filtered through its volcanic rock pools in two clear-water springs within the park.
Amboseli doesn’t allow safari by foot, but safari by vehicle, horseback and hot air balloon each provide extraordinary views of animal, vegetable and mineral, and the park’s Observation Hill overlooks mountain and mammal alike.
The best times to visit Amboseli National Park
January through March and July through October are the best times to visit, with July through October coinciding with the dry season. It is during the dry season that the animals are forced around the remaining water supplies and make for some great game viewing. That said, the dry season is also peak tourist season and, given Amboseli's small size, can mean crowds. The long rains come in March and run through the end of May, but also mean lush, green scenery and flowers. Very few lodges close during the rainy season, so budget-hunters may wish to consider the off-season.
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We did 4 days of safari it was really mind blowing. Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Amboseli is what impressed me the most. We saw tons of animals: elephant, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, hippo and lion and lionesses. The lodges we stayed in were all beautiful. Our very professional guide, who also spoke Italian well, showed us everything that was possible to see. I recommend this experience to everyone
The location of Amboseli National Park makes it a huge attraction for inclusion in a Kenya safari holiday. The whole park is overlooked by the world famous views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly best seen at dusk or dawn when low hanging clouds thin out to reveal the iced summit of this continent’s highest mountain. This backdrop has contributed to this park being amongst the most visited in Kenya, which has brought its own drawbacks. On my last visit I stayed in the beautiful Kibo Safari camp. Magnificent views of the Kili, large herds of elephants and plain game. Its a park I can always recommend!
Great sightings at Amboseli National Park on my holiday experience during December. Amboseli is a popular safari destination in Kenya with a super view of Mount Kilimanjaro-the highest mountain in Africa. Many wildlife attractions included; different bird species, lions, many buffaloes, big tusked elephants, zebras, giraffes, cheetah, and many more.
What amazing views from Amboseli, this is breathtakingly beautiful views while in Kenya. We call it the floor of Africa but we call it the Majestic Kilimanjaro
We had a very smooth and wonderful three day safari trip to Amboseli National Park that is crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak and the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close range. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands.
If you are an elephant lover this is the game reserve that you definitely need to visit. It has one of the largest elephant herds in Kenya. You'll get to see them moving about and if you are a photographer it'll even be better for you. Also, Amboseli offers the best view of Mount Kilimanjaro either early in the morning or late evening depending on the weather conditions at the time of your visiting. Apart from the elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro, you'll get to see various wildlife species like lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, zebras and birds.
Amboseli National Park is one of the prime parks in Kenya and the second mosts-visited in Kenya. The park never disappoints when it come to all the big fives. The elephant of Amboseli National park are very big and most love to feed around the central swamp within the park. Lion, cheetah and rhino are a must to see. Another amazing feature is the perfect view of the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro mostly in the morning and when the sun set.
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenyas most popular parks. It is home to the African elephant found in vast herds. Best place to get close to free ranging elephants and other wildlife. The bull elephants in this park have some of the largest tusks in Kenya. The park is also a birdwatchers paradise with over 420 species recorded. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa, offers good backdrop for wildlife photography. The observation hill is a main feature that offers three sixty view of the park. The park has five different habitats ranging from wetlands with sulphur springs, dried up bed of Lake Amboseli, savannah and woodlands. The Maasai community lives around the park and often seen grazing their livestock.
Amboseli National park is the second visited destination by animal lovers, one of the destination where large herds of elephants are found, view of the Kilimanjaro which as the highest peak in Africa, several habitats and animals grazing on a swampy areas. Amboseli National park does not disappoint any animal lover at all. Take a trip to this national park and you will always wish to make a return for another amazing views. You need at least one night stay or two nights for a great safari. There several lodges ranging from luxury to budget option. A full day game drive or more than 6 hours game is very import as one will have an extensive game drive and cover a large area seen different types of animals. Looking for a great adventure, include Amboseli National Park on your itinerary and you will definitely love it.
Amboseli National Park is in southern Kenya. Its known for its large elephant herds and views of immense Mount Kilimanjaro, please make sure you visit this park once you come to Kenya.
Driving to Amboseli from Nairobi
Amboseli is just under four hours away, in vehicle, in normal conditions.
Driving to Amboseli from Kilimanjaro International Airport
The drive from JRO to Amboseli is just under three hours, in normal conditions, and from Arusha to Amboseli is closer to four hours.
Domestic flights to Amboseli
Safarlink offers daily flights from Nairobi Wilson to Amboseil. The direct flight time is 45 minutes. Air Kenya also offers daily flights.
The following airlines travel to Amboseli National Park
Regional services within Kenya. At Airkenya safety and security are of paramount importance. As one of Africas leading aviation companies Airkenya aspires to reach new heights of service delivery. At Airkenya our diverse operations are looked into with eagle eyes. Our aircraft are thoroughly inspected by highly trained engineers to ensure our passengers enjoy consistently smooth safe flights. Our excellent maintenance facilities have been approved by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with international airworthiness safety standards. This together with our dedicated ground team has secured Airkenya an impressive track record for safety. Visit website
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Mombasa Air Safari is a Kenya coast scheduled airline. MOMBASA AIR SAFARI has been based at Mombasa's Moi International Airport since 1974. Our offices at Mombasa and Diani Beach Ukunda Airport are open during normal business hours. Our agent in Malindi Southern Sky Safaris have offices in the centre of Malindi. Our fleet consists of five aircraft with a seat capacity exceeding 100 seats. We have our own maintenance capability based at Moi International Airport Mombasa. Visit website
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Premier safari airline and charter. Safarilink is Kenya's premier safari airline with a network of connecting domestic scheduled services to all the best safari destinations within Kenya and across the border into northern Tanzania. From it's base at Wilson Airport, Nairobi SafariLink provides daily scheduled flights to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo West, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Lewa Downs, Samburu, Lamu, Kilimanjaro, Loisaba, Migori and Diani Beach. Additionally it can also provide private charter flights if a client's particular requirement as regards destination or timing cannot be met by the scheduled services. Visit website
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