By air
Wilson, Nairobi (WIL), ~45 min by light aircraft; ~4 h by road
Africa · Kenya
Amboseli, Kenya
Elephants under Kilimanjaro
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to October and January to February — dry
Don't miss
The Enkongo Narok swamp
Observation Hill
The lake beds
The Kilimanjaro views
Things to do
Game drives among the elephant herds
Sunrise views of Kilimanjaro
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: M. Disdero · CC BY-SA 2.5
What to pack
Neutral colours
A quieter corner
A visit to a Maasai cultural village
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Amboseli?
In the dry months: June to October and January to February. Wear neutral colours on game drives.
What is Amboseli known for?
Elephants under Kilimanjaro. Game drives take you among the elephant herds, and sunrise brings views of Kilimanjaro.
Where should I go within Amboseli?
The Enkongo Narok swamp, Observation Hill and the lake beds. Add a visit to a Maasai cultural village.
How long does it take to reach Amboseli from Nairobi?
About 45 minutes by light aircraft from Wilson, Nairobi (WIL), or roughly 4 hours by road. Expect lodge dining once you arrive.
About Amboseli
- Inland
Where it is
Amboseli National Park lies in Kajiado County in southern Kenya, on dry plains and green swamps at the northern foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises just across the border in Tanzania.
History
The Maasai have long grazed their cattle in Amboseli, whose name comes from a Maa word for salty dust. It became a national park in 1974 and lies at the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its elephants have been studied by researchers since 1972.
People
The Maasai live around the park, herding cattle and speaking Maa, and many community group ranches share their land with wildlife and run conservancies and lodges. Beadwork, cattle and the ceremonies that mark the passage from warrior to elder remain central to Maasai life.
Known for
- Large elephant herds
- Views of Kilimanjaro at sunrise
- The Enkongo Narok swamp
- Observation Hill
- Maasai cultural villages
Did you know?
Amboseli's swamps are fed largely by underground water from Kilimanjaro, which seeps through the volcanic rock and keeps them green through the dry season.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.