Amboseli National Park is one of the most spectacular places in Kenya and a destination that you shouldn’t miss on your itinerary. Here, Mother Nature controls everything. Calls from the white-bellied go-away bird fill the air on cool mornings, as the beautiful sun sets on the savannah plains, the daily discord is replaced by the haunting calls of owls and the spine-tingling roars of lions. There are hidden secrets in the open savannah grasslands tales that are kept hidden from the World by the Acacia woodlands.

Amboseli National Park is a World all of its own, and each day, visitors explore this stunning destination to experience out-of-this-world wildlife experiences. Exploring the Park and planning a safari to the area can be daunting, and to help you plan for it, this comprehensive guide is going to be all you need to ensure that you have a safari of a lifetime.

Location, Size, and History of Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is uniquely situated at the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya.

This compact Protected Area covers an area of 39200 hectares with 5 diverse habitats- open plains, acacia woodland, thorn scrub, swamps, and marshlands. The Ol Donyo Orok Massif and Lake Amboseli mark the western part of Amboseli National Park, which lies at an elevation range of 1124 to 1164 meters.

First established as a Game Reserve in 1948, the area was later upgraded into a National Park in 1974. It was later recognized as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1991.

Formerly known as “Masai-Amboseli Game Reserve”, the name Amboseli means “salty dust” in the Maasai dialect. The Maasai, a pastoralist tribe, live near Amboseli National Park.

Top things to see in Amboseli National Park

Wildlife

Amboseli National Park is a haven for wildlife. You will find a diverse variety of game, owing to the abundance of ecosystems/natural habitats. These include lions, Kudus, African bush elephants, African wild dogs, African buffaloes, impalas, spotted hyenas, Masai giraffes, Oribis, Topis, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, and many others.

Birdlife

You can find approximately 400 different species of birds in Amboseli National Park. These include African pygmy-goose, African palm-swift, African green pigeon, African jacanas, lesser jacanas, African cuckoos, black-bellied bustards, Abyssinian scimitar bill, African open bill, Eurasian hoopoes, African gray hornbill, blue-napped mousebird, Eurasian nightjars, Pink-backed pelicans, spur-winged goose, Hammerkop, Hadada ibis, Great white pelicans, African darter, African sacred ibis, dusky turtle-dove, cape teal, Great spotted cuckoos, yellow-necked francolin, saddle-billed stork, and many others.

ostriches, fulvous whistling-duck, knob-billed duck, crested francolins, Shelley’s francolins, common quail, red-necked francolin, ring-necked dove, rock pigeon, tambourine dove, red-eyed dove, mourning collared dove, Kori bustards, Hartlaub’s bustards, white-browed coucal, pied cuckoos, common cuckoos, red-chested cuckoos, trumpeter hornbill,

Don’t miss out on the sights and sounds of the black-crowned night-heron, black stork, spotted eagle-owl, Dwarf bittern, yellow-billed stork, white-headed mousebird, Southern ground hornbill, verreaux’s eagle, white-bellied go-away bird, Egyptian goose, eastern yellow-billed hornbill, buff-crested bustards, the shoebill storks, little bittern, gray herons, cattle egret, intermediate egret, purple heron, Goliath heron, and the speckled mouse bird among others.

Types of safaris/tours in Amboseli National Park

Game drive safaris

Agreed, it is not wholly desirable to get up early and embark on a game drive by 6:00 am when it is bitterly cold for much of the year. Yes, your fellow travelers might have their idiosyncrasies, but with several eyes on the job, there is no better way to sight the most animals in the least amount of time (3-4 hours) than a game drive safari. With our highly experienced safari guides, you will be led to where the local lions are lounging and make the spotting of Masai giraffes and impalas as thrilling as spotting the leopards.

Birding safaris

With over 400 bird species in Amboseli National Park, this protected Area is one of the best places to go bird watching since visitors are bound to see a few uncommon species. Keep an eye out for the black-bellied bustards, Abyssinian scimitar bill, African open bill, Eurasian hoopoes, African gray hornbill, and the blue-napped mousebird, among others.

The best time to go bird watching in Amboseli is during the wet season, which lasts from March to May and October to November, since most migratory species arrive.

Walking safari

A walking safari is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Amboseli National Park’s surroundings and learn about the natural habitats of different wildlife species. Although guided nature walks may appear to be dangerous, the armed Ranger guide will never put you at risk. Before embarking on this expedition, the area will be checked to be sure that it is free of predators- lions and leopards. While at it, keep all your senses on wildlife, bird species, and floral species.

Cultural tours

Celebrate authentic Masai traditions and immerse yourself in a cultural experience with a visit to their Bomas around Amboseli National Park. A peaceful slumber awaits in one of the Cosy, traditional Masai huts that rest along the borders of the Protected Area.

Gather in the evening for a traditional Masai feast, and let the beat of their dance and songs set the tone for a memorable safari experience.

Best time to visit Amboseli National Park

As the seasons pass in Amboseli National Park, the landscape changes in both dramatic and unseen ways. Choosing the perfect time for your adventure hinges on your safari expectations.

If you are looking for an epic wildlife encounter, book your Amboseli safari during the dry season’s peak- June to September. During these months, you will enjoy a front-row seat to seeing colossal herds thundering across the savannah plains, their thirst leading them to the life-giving Lake Amboseli. And in their wake, predators stalk their prey.

Perhaps your soul craves bird watching nirvana, then the wet season, which is from March to May, and October to November, is the perfect time to visit. At this time of the year, most natural habitats, especially open plains, acacia woodland, and marshlands, burst with life, and you will be treated to the sights and sounds of colorful feathered beauties through the lush landscapes. However, the verdant vegetation means animals are difficult to spot.

Traveling in this season also comes with off-season benefits that go well beyond reduced accommodation rates.

Best places to stay in/around Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park has a few but unmissable accommodation options that include Elewana Tortilis Camp, Elerai Camp, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Tawi Lodge, Kibo Villa- Amboseli, Kibo Safari Camp, Kimana Omega Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Sentrim Amboseli, Amboseli Eco Camp, and many others.

Getting to Amboseli National Park

There are two ways (air or road) to enter Amboseli National Park.

If traveling by road, there are four main entry gates for Amboseli National Park: Kitirua gate, Iremito gate, Meshanana gate, and Kimana gate. To drive to the Park, you will need a 4X4 Safari vehicle and expect a 4-hour drive from Nairobi City via the Nairobi-Arusha route.

For travelers with a larger budget, flying into Amboseli National Park from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or between the airstrips across the country is another option. You will arrive at the Park via Amboseli Airstrip, and then transfer to your Lodge.