Amboseli National Park is located in Kenya, near the Tanzanian border. The park covers an area of 151 square miles (392 square kilometers). It is part of a wider ecosystem that spans Kenya and Tanzania and covers an area of 3,100 square miles (8,000 square kilometers).
This protected region is crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s roof. Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve was the previous name for Amboseli National Park. It is located in the southern Kenyan county. This national park protects two marshes and the lowlands from Mount Kilimanjaro’s foothills.
Amboseli is made up of five distinct wildlife habitats. Open plains, yellow-barked acacia woods, lava-strewn rocky thorn bushes, swamps, and marshes are among them. The Oldoinyo Orok massif reaches a height of 8,300 feet and stretches towards the sky (2,760 m).
The habitat groups work together to create a plethora of stunning landscapes, all rounded off with views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park is surrounded by a vast expanse of sky that stretches from horizon to horizon. The nights are loaded with great stargazing possibilities.
Amboseli National Park is a safari destination with a diverse and abundant wildlife population. The vast majority of visitors to Amboseli are hoping for safari and wildlife experiences. Seeing wildlife with a clear view of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background is an unforgettable experience.
The long dry season provides wonderful opportunities to see wildlife visiting wetlands and other drinking holes. Together with elephant herds, wildlife fans can expect to see lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, mongooses, giraffes, Cape buffalo, warthogs, baboons, monkeys, zebras, impalas, and many species of gazelle. The principal wildlife viewing area is located on the park’s eastern side.
Safari-goers may see lions, leopards, cheetahs, black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, and giraffes on a single morning game drive around the eastern section. In addition to these sought-after species, you may see eland, waterbuck, and zebra. Amboseli is an excellent location for exploring Africa’s wilderness.
Around 400 different bird species await bird lovers. Amboseli National Park’s highlights from the skies include 47 raptor species of birds. Although many bird species can be found throughout the park, the lake, marsh, and swamp areas are among the best places to see them.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
The average daytime temperature in Amboseli is around 28°C (82 °F), while the average nighttime temperature is around 15°C (59 °F). Temperatures rise near the conclusion of the wet season (October to May), with April being very hot. After the downpours of the ‘long rains’ and before the lighter showers of the “short rains,’ things settle off a little in the dry season (June to September).
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best times to visit are between the area’s brief and extended bouts of rainfall and during the dry season proper (June to September). Rain will not disrupt your game drive, and the animals will not be able to hide in the sparse vegetation. However, the park does become rather crowded during certain times.
HIGHLIGHTS
Amboseli has one of the most beautiful and scenic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although the mountain is in Tanzania, the best views of Kilimanjaro may be found in Kenya. As you look for photographs of the mountain, you will see that many of them were taken from the Kenya viewpoint, and practically all of them were taken within Amboseli National Park.
Around 1,000 roaming elephants are one of the park’s main attractions. Aside from elephants, many people want to see some of the predator species such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. There are around 80 different animal species that work in tandem with elephants and predators.
One of the most fascinating wildlife encounters is seeing elephants forage in the swampy grasslands as they wade through above their legs. They’re like nature’s bulldozers.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK ATTRACTIONS IN A SUMMARY
- Large herds of elephants
- Spectacular view of Mt. Kilimanjaro
- Big Five Animals
- Observation Hill, which provides a panoramic view of the entire park, particularly the marshes and elephants,
- The swamp under observation hill is home to many elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and a variety of waterfowl, such as pelicans and Egyptian geese.
- Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
HOW TO GET THERE
By Road: The main entrance to the park is via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi-Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The other route is via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi-Mombasa Road from Nairobi. Tsavo West National Park is mostly accessible from Mombasa via the Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
By Air: Airstrips: The Park comprises a single light aircraft airstrip at the Empusel gate. There are more airstrips at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Camp and Namanga town.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS INCLUDES:
- KWS Self-Catering
- Kilimanjaro Guest House
- Simba Cottages
- Chui Cottages
- Amboseli Campsite
- Privately owned lodges
- Oltukai Lodge
- Amboseli Serena Lodge
- Tortilis Tented Lodge