Amboseli often ranks at the top of the list of national parks in Kenya. It is renowned for its excellent variety of wildlife and the best view of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. The park is home to four of the big five: lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. However, Amboseli is sought after for its free-roaming elephants and great scenic beauty. The park’s size is relatively small, so the animals are not spread out, and the chance of seeing them all is high.

In terms of popularity, it’s second only to Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya, and the best part is that it offers excellent year-round game viewing. While comfortably seated in an open-roof safari van, you can enjoy morning and even late afternoon game drives. While in a game drive, you get to observe the hills around the park and swamps such as Enkongo Narok. Best of all you will sightsee the natural beauty of the park.

Where Is the Park Located?

Those planning their safari trip for the first time often want to be sure of the Amboseli national park location. As a result, inquiry such as Amboseli national park is in which county often arise. Well, the park lies approximately 200 kilometers west of Nairobi city and is located in Kajiado County, Kenya. It borders Tanzania and is located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s accessible by both road and air. The park’s majestic landscape is situated within 392 square kilometers of protected wilderness.

Why is it Popular?

Almost all the people that visit Kenya want the Amboseli Safaris and wildlife encounters. Overall, Amboseli national park is famous for its scenic beauty, diverse wildlife and species of birds. Amboseli has five different and unique wildlife habitats: swamps, marshes, Lava-strewn rocky thorn-bush, open plains, and acacia woodlands. These groups of unique habitats create a scenic landscape.

Additionally, the mountain’s melting snow flows underground and feeds the swamps and the wetlands in Amboseli. The water sources attract animals of all sizes, including waterbucks, olive baboons, jackals, zebras, gazelles, etc.

The park is also a great bird viewing destination, with more than 400 species recorded. Despite all that, the park is famous for its numerous roaming elephants. Tourists often flock to Amboseli to see the elephants feeding in the grassland.

Best Time to Visit

While the game drive can be all year round, it’s best to plan your itinerary during the dry season, which in Kenya starts from July to October and December to February. With little rain falling, the animals often go to the park’s swamps to cool and drink water supplied by Mount Kilimanjaro.

With the wildlife packed into a small area, the travel time will be short, yet you will see most animals in one place. To see various birds, it’s best to go during the October-December rains as it’s the ideal time also to spot a fairly large number of migratory species. The natural beauty of Amboseli Park can be clearly viewed and enjoyed on Observation Hill, which is also an ideal spot for photographers and sundowners. 

Pega tours recommend you go for the morning game drive since it’s the ideal time for animals to leave their hiding places. That way, your session will offer a wonderful viewing.

Where to Stay

Amboseli accommodation options suit all budgets. It ranges from tented safari camps to luxury game lodges. The self-catering Bandas/simple cottages offered by the Kenya Wildlife Service are the most affordable, while the park lodges offer a more private and luxurious experience. The Bandas are divided into three options: Simba Cottages, Chui Cottages, and Kilimanjaro Guest House. 

On the other hand, the Amboseli national park lodges such as the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Tawi Lodge, Oltukai Lodge, Satao Elerai camp, and Ol Donyo Lodge offer a more luxurious option that includes private terraces, various safari activities, and swimming pool. For people looking to camp, the Amboseli Campsite is conveniently located near the national park.

Amboseli Safaris and Activities

The rich diversity of wildlife, including the big mammals and a wide array of birds, means that attractions are all year round, which makes the Amboseli safaris one of the most unforgettable. Game viewing is the top activity in Amboseli, and you can do it in two ways. 

You can sign up for a guided game drive or self-drive in your own vehicle. While planning your African safari, you may wonder how many lions are in Amboseli? There are around 100 lions in Amboseli, which can be seen either in the early morning or late in the evening.

Those interested in birdlife can arrange to board a vehicle or walk on foot to see species such as flamingo, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, and endangered Malagasy pond heron. Bushwalks and night game drives are available in private conservancies such as the Selenkay Conservation Area. Apart from bird watching and game drive viewing, other Amboseli national park activities include:

  • Guided nature walks
  • View of the lake Amboseli
  • Visiting the Observation Hill
  • Capturing the view of the Kilimanjaro
  • Cultural tours
  • Hot air balloon safari

Overall, no two days will be the same; thus, your safari experience will undoubtedly be unforgettable.

Is Amboseli National Park Worth Visiting?

It’s worth visiting Amboseli park because the experience leaves you with unforgettable memories of a true wildness. The numerous activities available, including game drive viewing and guided nature walk, make it easier to get close to nature. Besides, getting a glimpse of the iconic view of Kilimanjaro and herds of elephants of all ages makes the park worth visiting.

Itinerary Advice

Despite the amazing wildlife experience it offers, Amboseli is a small park. That is why you should combine a visit to Amboseli with one of Kenya’s other tourist destinations or even a park. You may extend your safari to Naivasha to view the Great Rift Valley lakes or climb Mount Kenya the second highest mountain in Africa. While Masai Mara is a popular option, it still offers almost the same wildlife safari and savannah.

If you prefer a beach vacation in Mombasa but need to include a zoo-like experience, Pega Tours recommends you visit Haller Park, a man-made sanctuary. Contact us to get custom itineraries from Pega Tours to ensure your trip meets your needs and preferences, making it easier to make lasting memories.