Amboseli Safari

Watch over 900 free-ranging elephants by taking an exhilarating Amboseli safari.

This event happens at the Amboseli National Park that is situated only 250km from Nairobi. Even though it is small, this park continues to attract legions of visitors because it is very accessible.

This park is the most popular after Maasai Mara Game Reserve and has been lauded as the best place to view elephant herds up close. It borders Tanzania and is situated at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

As a result, Amboseli National Park has an endless underground water supply that is filtered through volcanic rock. This water then funnels into 2 clear water springs at the heart of the park which attract animals of all sizes – elands, waterbucks, zebras, the big five, jackals, hyenas and other scavengers.

The name Amboseli comes from the Maasai word Empusel which means ‘salty dust’. If you’re a nature lover, this Amboseli safari will expose you to 5 different habitats ranging from the wetlands with Sulphur Springs, the acacia woodlands, the dried up bed of Lake Amboseli, the rocky thornbush and the savannah.

Expect to see big blue skies combined with swamp and dusty earth that has been trampled by hundreds of animals.

Amboseli’s climate can change from drought to flood. Ceaseless rain can change the area into a swamp and prolonged lack of rainfall turns the grass-covered plains to dust.

With its magnificent view of Africa’s highest mountain, this park offers a unique backdrop for game viewing. It also has a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses Lake Amboseli and migratory birds after the rains.

After it was declared a national park in the 1970s, the Maasai felt excluded, so they exterminated the longhorn black rhinos and lions. As a result, lions and other predators are hard to come by at the Amboseli National Park. Herbivores are present in plenty.

During your Amboseli safari, your guide will most likely relay these rules that have been set up to protect wildlife:

Do not get out of the vehicle except at designated spots
Keep to the tracks at all times
No off-road driving is allowed
Give the animals the right of way
Do not harass the animals

Must see

Mount Kilimanjaro
The dry Pleistocene lake basin
Elephant herds
Big 5
Observation Hill
Egyptian goose
Mongoose
Nocturnal porcupine
Hyrax
Seasonal Lake Amboseli
Flamingoes, pelicans & other migratory birds
Sulphur Springs in the wetlands

Must do

Attend an elephant conservation lecture at the Elephant Research Centre
Watch scenic views of plains, swamps and roads from Observation Hill
Watch Mt. Kilimanjaro from Sinet Delta
Birdwatching
Visit a local Maasai village
Camping
Wildlife photography

Best accommodation at Amboseli

Amboseli Serena Lodge
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge
Kibo Safari Camp
Kilima Safari Camp
AA Lodge Amboseli
Maasai Simba Camp
Satao Elerai
Tawi Lodge
Kibo Villa Amboseli
Ambokili Lodge
Tortilis Camp
Penuel Plaza Hotel
Camp Noomuran
Ol Donyo Lodge
Campi ya Kanzi
Porini Amboseli Camp
Chui Cottages
Kilimanjaro Guest House

Best time for an Amboseli Safari

Amboseli can be visited at any time of the year. Wildlife viewing is however recommended in the dry months which are January, February, June, July, August and September.

During the wet months, animals hide and do not gather at water sources in large numbers and insects and mosquitoes will hamper your comfort.

Amboseli National Park is open daily from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm including public holidays. Entry after 6:15 pm is not allowed. No entry is allowed on foot either.

The Kenya Wildlife administration offers reduced fees for Kenya citizens and residents.

The park can be accessed in two ways:

By air: The park has an airstrip for light aircrafts at Empusel gate. There is also an airstrip at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town.
By road: The main road which is from Nairobi via Namanga (on the Nairobi – Arusha road) will lead you to the park’s Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi via Emali on the Nairobi – Mombasa road. Visitors from Mombasa can access the park through the Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.