Amboseli National Park Guide, Facts, Map, Size + Best Photos
Amboseli National Park or Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve is a famous Kenya national park crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro and herds of elephants. This travel guide provides facts and tips on where to stay, what to do and the best time to visit the park!
If you’re looking for a thrilling Kenya wildlife experience, Amboseli National Park is the perfect destination for you. The park offers a wide variety of fauna and flora that will amaze you.
One of the iconic safari images you’ll see in Amboseli is elephants roaming the grasslands with Mount Kilimanjaro as the backdrop. It’s a breathtaking sight that you won’t want to miss.
Facts about Amboseli National Park:
Amboseli National Park is relatively small compared to most of East African parks covering only 244 square miles. The park’s soil is salty and dusty, which is a result of the once-active volcano, Kilimanjaro.
The mountain is responsible for the swamps and freshwater marshes in the middle of the park, which are fed year-round by melting snow and rain runoff from the mountain Kilimanjaro.
Masaai Amboseli National Park is located in southern part of Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. It’s approximately 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Nairobi. Travelers can get there by road or by air. The drive from Nairobi takes about four hours, while a flight from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park is only 45 minutes.
Wildlife at the Park
The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Amboseli is famous for its elephants, which are abundant and roam freely from the plain to the marsh. There is some evidence that the elephants have become too numerous, leading to over-grazing and the disappearance of the trees that support them.
The Kenya Wildlife Service is now focused on finding ways to protect the habitat of the creatures they protected so well in the past. Apart from the Big Five and scores of other mammals, the park is home to about 600 different species of birds.
Significant Mammals in the Park:
The Amboseli National Park boasts an impressive variety of significant mammals, including the famous Big Five – African elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and rhinoceros, impala, baboon, cheetah, Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, hippopotamus, zebra, crocodile, dik-dik, and hyrax, etc.
Birds in Amboseli:
Bird watching in Amboseli is another rewarding experience. During game drives or nature walks, accompanied by competent bird guide profiling different bird species, you’ll spot a variety of species, including the hamerkop, ostrich, grebe, pelican, cormorant and darter, heron, egret and bittern, hoebill, stork, ibis, spoonbill, secretary bird, vulture, and kingfisher.
Exciting Activities in Amboseli National Park:
Game Drives – Wildlife Game Viewing by a Safari Car
Game drives in Amboseli are a must-do adventure. You’ll experience the reserve and its wildlife on comfortable safari vehicles with a local Guide who is knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, landscape, and Kenyan culture.
Early morning game drives begin just before sunrise with a cup of Kenyan highland coffee. Afternoon game drives begin late after the mid-day heat has subsided and end just before darkness falls.
Hot-Air Balloon Safaris
A balloon safari is an excellent way to experience Amboseli from the sky. Typically, a balloon safari begins at the break of dawn, and the ride lasts for about an hour, during which you will drift silently over the plains and its wildlife.
After your balloon ride, enjoy a champagne breakfast “in the bush,” with a well-laid meal and waiters on hand for a fitting finale to a memorable flight.
Bush Meals
Enjoy a selection of local dishes as you sit around a bonfire in a secluded gathering place in the wild. Maasai dancers will introduce you to their vibrant culture, while the chilly evening air is warmed by the bonfire.
Cocktails
Catch the African sunset with a cocktail in hand, the perfect way to end a day of adventure in Amboseli.
Masaai Cultural Tours
Amboseli National Park is a stunning reserve that is steeped in Maasai culture and history. The park was originally set aside in the early 20th century as a grazing reserve for the Maasai, who have lived in the region for centuries.
The Maasai people have never been cultivators, relying instead on the milk, blood, and meat of their cattle as the foundation of their culture and economy.
Although they were moved to communal ranches on the park’s borders when the park was designated as an exclusive wildlife reserve in the 1970s, a percentage of the entrance fees now go towards supplementing their traditional cattle-based economy.
When you visit Amboseli National Park, you will have the opportunity to experience the rich Maasai culture and learn about their way of life.
A cultural visit to a local school is also a must-do experience. You’ll have the chance to meet eager students and pioneering teachers who are working hard to bring education to the bush.
Best time to Visit Amboseli:
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park is during the dry season that is normally from June to October and January to February, when animals gather around the waterholes and are easier to spot.
Also, during this period the acacia trees have fewer leaves making it easier for travelers to view wildlife. Just beware, daytime temperatures can be quite hot so it’s important to take sunscreen and wear a hat!
Save on your Amboseli Safari by visiting during the rainy season when the rates for lodges are lower and few travelers hence competitive rates from tour operators.
Weather in Amboseli National Park Kenya
Accommodations in Amboseli National Park and nearby areas.
Where to Stay on Your Visit?
Visitors to Amboseli National Park have a variety of accommodation options to choose from including camping and luxury lodges. The park has several lodges and campsites that offer comfortable accommodations for every travelers.
Some popular options include;
Luxury Accommodations;
- Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
- Ol Tukai Lodge
- Tawi Lodge
- Tortilis Camp
- Elewana Amboseli Porini Camp
Midrange Accommodations;
- Kibo Safari Camp
- Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
- AA Lodge Amboseli
- Kilima Safari Camp
- Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Budget Accommodations;
- Kimana Camp
- Amboseli Eco Camp
- Nyati Hill Cottages
- Maasai Simba Camp
- Amboseli Bush Camp
Location of Amboseli.
Getting to Amboseli National Park is easy. You can reach the park by road in about four hours from Nairobi or take a 45-minute flight from the capital.
So, pack your bags and come explore the rich culture and stunning wildlife of Amboseli National Park!
Park Entrance
Amboseli National Park Charges.
The park is open every day from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
| Category | Adult (High Season) | Adult (Low Season) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident | 100 | 80 |
| Rest of Africa US$ | 50 | 35 |
| EAC Citizen/ Resident Kshs | 1,000 | 800 |
Responsible tourism and wildlife conservation at Amboseli:
It’s essential to remind all our dear clients and travelers to respect the park’s rules and regulations, including keeping a safe distance from the wildlife and not littering.
Additionally, it’s important to promote responsible tourism practices, such as supporting local businesses and conservation efforts.
Amboseli National Park is famous mainly for the stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Masaai culture and a large concentration of elephants of over 1,500 individuals.
Yes, Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from Amboseli National Park as it is situated on the Northern side of the mountain.
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