Amboseli National Park is located in southern Kenya, on the border with Tanzania. Here you’ll find the largest population of elephants at the foot of the imposing Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. In Amboseli National Park, Africa’s wild nature goes hand in hand with impressive views. In this blog post, I share all my practical tips for an unforgettable safari in Amboseli. Including the coolest activities and most beautiful accommodations.
About Amboseli National Park
Spanning nearly four hundred square kilometers, Amboseli is one of the best places in Kenya to spot large herds of elephants. But this impressive park offers much more: lions, giraffes, wildebeest, flamingos, cheetahs, and countless other wild animals. Yet it’s especially the majestic Kilimanjaro that steals the show. With its 5895-meter high peak, Africa’s highest mountain towers on the horizon, and on a clear day, you can admire the snow-covered peaks.
The park gets its name from the Maasai and Lake Kioko, which is centrally located in the area. During the dry season, the water often disappears completely, leaving an ash-like soil. In the Maasai language, this earth is called “amboseli”. This area surprises you with its marshes, despite the limited rainfall compared to the rest of Kenya and Tanzania. That mix of water and drought creates a unique ecosystem.
Amboseli with or without a Tour?
Amboseli is “only” 200km from Nairobi and, alongside the popular Masai Mara, is visited by many travelers. You can visit Amboseli with your own rental car and from Nairobi it’s about “5 to 6 hours driving, so we don’t recommend a day tour, as you’ll spend more time traveling than enjoying the safari. Stay at least one night. The roads are generally paved and in good condition, allowing you to access it with either a 4×4 or a regular rental car.”
We took an organized trip through Kenya with Afrika Safari and had our own jeep and personal guide. This significantly increases the chance of spotting wildlife. We stayed two nights near Amboseli National Park, and had a full day game drive. Amboseli is a medium-sized park, so you can discover most of it in one full day. If you’re traveling independently through Kenya but don’t have a rental car, you can choose to book a (multi-day) tour:
- 2-day tour from Nairobi
- 3-day tour from Nairobi
- 3-day tour Mombasa/Diani – Tsavo East – Amboseli – Mombasa/Diani
- 4-day tour Nairobi – Amboseli – Tsavo East – Mombasa
What to Do and See in Amboseli?
#1 Spotting Elephants (and more Wildlife) in Amboseli
Amboseli is known for its impressive elephant population. Nowhere else did we see such large herds, majestically making their way toward the swamps, with playful baby elephants nestled among the protective females. But Amboseli is more than just elephants. Bird lovers can spot over four hundred different waterbird species here, including graceful flamingos. The Big Five are also present, although rhinos and leopards are hard to spot. We saw lions chilling among the bushes, monkeys playing around and grooming each other, and zebras and wildebeest peacefully grazing on the savannah.
With its five different ecosystems – from open plains and acacia woodlands to swamps – Amboseli offers a varied and unforgettable safari experience.
#2 Take a Balloon Safari over Amboseli
Up early, because we’re starting the day with a balloon safari over Amboseli National Park. Before the sun appears above the horizon, we rise in a hot air balloon. In the background, Kilimanjaro towers majestically above everything, its snow-covered peaks glistening in the early sunlight. It’s an unforgettable experience to see the park from above, with the silence of the air around you and the immense beauty of nature beneath you. Below us, herds of elephants, giraffes, and antelopes move through the landscape. My first balloon flight – and what a special one! This activity comes with a price tag, but is absolutely a bucket list moment!
After landing, we enjoy an extensive breakfast with champagne. We even receive a certificate as a souvenir.
#3 Visit a Local Masai Tribe
The Masai tribe no longer lives in the park, but around Amboseli, you’ll find several villages where they live according to ancient traditions. We visited a Maasai village near Masai Mara National Park, so we didn’t do this activity at Amboseli. I absolutely recommend visiting a village during your trip through Kenya. Discover their culture and unique way of life while attending their traditional songs and jumping dance.
#4 Enjoy the Sunset During a Sundowner
A sundowner is the ultimate way to consciously enjoy one of the most magical and serene moments of the day: the African sunset. Nearly every lodge can arrange this for you. Tulia Safari Camp arranged the ideal setup, close to Amboseli National Park.
Accompanied by a Masai, we enjoyed some snacks and refreshing drinks (all you can drink!), while the sky slowly transformed into a painting of gold and orange hues. Magical!
#5 Climb Africa’s Highest Mountain, Kilimanjaro
From Amboseli, you can already see it—the iconic Kilimanjaro! Located right near the border with Tanzania, this location makes it ideal to combine a trip through Kenya with a visit to its southern neighbor.
For adventurers and sports enthusiasts, climbing Africa “s highest mountain” is an ultimate bucket list experience. The Machame Route, also called the Whiskey Route, is the most popular option and takes about 6 to 7 days. Not much time or prefer a shorter challenge? There are also alternative routes or the option to climb just part of the mountain.
- 1-day trip from Arusha/Moshi via Marangu Route
- 5-day Kilimanjaro trek via Machame Route
- 6-day Kili trip via Marangu Route
Where to Stay in Amboseli?
There are only a few accommodations to be found in the park. Most are located just outside Amboseli, as was our camp. We stayed in the beautiful Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp, without doubt our favorite accommodation during this trip through Kenya! Our spacious, luxurious tent offered a breathtaking view of Kilimanjaro AND the waterhole. During the day, we saw countless wild animals at the pool, and even while showering, I spotted a whole group of zebras in the soft light of the setting sun. Pure magic!
Our tent had its own small swimming pool—perfect for cooling off under the African sun. The service was excellent: the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the food was amazingly delicious! We stayed two nights at Tulia, but staying longer is anything but a punishment.
Besides Tulia, I can also highly recommend the accommodations below! I’ve selected the best stays with the best reviews for you—regardless of your budget.
Whether you choose a charming, affordable option or treat yourself to an overdose of luxury, there’s something for everyone. Prices range from €80 to €1000+ per night, so you can make your safari as modest or extravagant as you want!
Continuing your Journey through Kenya
Are you curious about our route through Kenya and all the beautiful parks we visited? Discover our ten-day itinerary through Kenya from Nairobi to Mombasa. This route takes you through the iconic Masai Mara where you can experience the great migration, the beautiful Lake Naivasha where you can take a boat safari among the hippos. Tsavo West is known for its rugged landscapes and cute dikdiks, while the journey ends on the white sandy beach of Diani!
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