Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is often called the ‘Land of Giants’ – due to the impressive elephants here carrying massive tusks. The animals are set against breathtaking vistas of Mt Kilimanjaro, which makes an awesome backdrop to the small park. Aside from elephants, many plains animals are easy to spot. Fantastic photo opportunities are possible, and early mornings are best for clear views of Kilimanjaro.

Pros & Cons

Excellent wildlife viewing
Four of the Big Five are easily found (rhino excluded)
Outstanding elephant sightings
Views of Kilimanjaro on clear days
Excellent birding, especially waterbirds in swamp habitat
Good range of accommodation catering to different budgets and styles
The park gets very busy, especially in the high season
Big cats are relatively hard to spot

Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most popular parks, and offers great wildlife viewing. The park is famous for its elephants, but most big safari animals can be spotted here. Black rhino has become extinct, but the other four of the Big Five are present. The plains support an abundance of large herbivores including wildebeest, Burchell's zebra and Grant's and Thomson's gazelle.

Wildlife Highlights

Amboseli’s specialty is its elephants. Big herds roam the dusty plains in the morning and evening. During

Amboseli is a good birding destination and more than 420 species have been recorded here. The swamps are great for water-associated birds such as egrets, herons, pelicans and crowned cranes. Large numbers of flamingos may be present in the Wet seasons (March to May and October to December). The grassland areas offer some interesting ground birds such as Hartlaub’s bustard and the localized Pangani longclaw. The acacia woodland holds some dry country specials such as steel-blue whydah, white-bellied go-away bird and the Von der Decken’s hornbill.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Kenya
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Best Time for Bird Watching

Amboseli is a bird-watcher’s paradise throughout the year. Residents include unusual species that are spotted at any time. The migratory bird population fills the park from November to April. The months when rainfall is most likely to disrupt your bird-watching plans are November and April.

Although Amboseli can be visited at any time of year it is recommended to go in the dry months, which are from June to October and January to February.

Views of Kilimanjaro are hit-and-miss, but chances are best early morning and late afternoon in the Wet season months from November to May, when the sky is clear of dust.

Best Time June to September and January to February are best for general wildlife viewing (Little to no rainfall)

High Season December to March & July to October (The reserve can get quite busy)

Low Season April to June (Low-season rates may apply)

Best Weather June to September and January to February (Little rainfall)

Worst Weather April (Wettest month)

June to October –Dry Season

Wildlife watching is better when it’s dry and animals gather at water sources
Mainly sunny, almost no rainfall
Malaria is much less of a problem in the Dry season
It gets very dry and dusty
The sky is hazy and the scenery isn’t as pretty
Views of Kilimanjaro are less spectacular

November to May –Wet Season

Scenically the park is at its best
April to June is low season and lower rates may apply
Plenty of animals to be seen despite being the Wet season
Best time for bird watching and migratory birds are present
Views of Kilimanjaro are best after rainfall, when the sky is clear of dust
Road conditions can be bad in April and May
Planned activities, such as game drives, may be interrupted in the peak rainfall months especially April

Conditions in Amboseli National Park are hot and dry. Rain typically falls as short, heavy showers. During the day expect average temperatures of around 28°C/82°F and 15°C/59°F at night. Early morning activities, such as game drives, require warm clothing. The ‘long rains’ usually fall from mid-March to mid-May while the ‘short rains’ are from late October to mid-December.

Dry season–June to September

These are the coolest months and typically have bright, sunny days. It is very dry with practically no rain.

June & July – It is normally sunny. Expect average temperatures of around 25°C/77°F in the afternoon.
August & September – Daytime temperatures are on the rise until the rain breaks. Although temperature peaks are far higher, the average in September is about 26°C/79°F.

Wet season–October to May

The Wet season is marked by the ‘short rains’ followed by the ‘long rains’. January and February is a drier interlude. Driving can be a challenge in April and May when rains cause road conditions to deteriorate.

October, November & December – The rains generally begin at some point in October and peak in November. Normally it doesn’t rain for the whole day; however, afternoon storms are common. The average temperature is 28°C/82°F during the day, but it increases before it rains.
January & February – The exact start and finish of this Dry period separating the Wet seasons is never predictable. February, though, is the hottest month, and the average afternoon temperature is 30°C/86°F (expect higher peaks).
March, April & May – The long rains generally start mid- to late-March. It seldom rains for the entire day, but afternoon showers can be expected. The wettest month is April. Expect temperatures in the afternoon to reach 28°C/82°F.

Amboseli is located 365km/226mi southeast of Nairobi. Self-drive from Nairobi to the reserve is a good option. You can also drive from other parks if you’re doing a road trip around the country. The distance from Tsavo East or Tsavo West is about 460km/285mi and the driving time is about eight hours.

There are daily scheduled flights from Nairobi to Amboseli’s airstrip as well as flights from Tsavo West and the Masai Mara.

Nairobi is a popular entry point into. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), is located 15km/9mi southeast of Nairobi. The country’s second international airport is Moi International Airport (MBA), and is 9km/6mi west of Mombasa.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com
www.expedia.com

Domestic Flights

Charter flights are an option between parks – these are typically booked for you as part of your tour package. Domestic flights from Nairobi leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. Scheduled flights can be booked with several domestic carriers:

AirKenya (Flies from Nairobi)
Safarilink (Flies from Nairobi and Tsavo West)
Mombasa Air Safari (Flies from Mombasa, Masai Mara, Malindi and Diani Beach)

Safety

Amboseli National Park is very safe to visit in our opinion. Crime issues are not a problem in any of the developed parks and reserves in Kenya. You should, however, take normal safety precautions in urban centers as this is where petty theft can happen. Read ‘Cities & Other Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for more information. Incidents are very rare though and you’ll be shielded from any safety issues when on an organized tour.

Before coming on a trip to Kenya, seek advice about required vaccinations from your doctor. Malaria is present, especially at the heights of the rainy seasons – from April to May and October to November. It is advisable to take antimalarials. Other preventative measures, such as covering up in the evening and applying mosquito repellent with DEET, are also recommended.

In our opinion, Kenya is generally safe to visit. The tourist industry is very established and visitors are very well looked after. Several governments have advised against traveling to some cities and remote border areas, but tour operators will only take you to places that are considered safe. For more info on these travel warnings, see the advisory links below. There is crime in big cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, but most issues can be avoided by following basic safety precautions. More than a million tourists visit Kenya every year, and the vast majority of visits are trouble-free.

Below are tips on staying safe in Kenya.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

Your safari guides will ensure your safety at all times – all you have to do is follow their instructions and always keep your distance from wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so. For additional tips:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

As is the case all over the world, big cities tend to be crime hotspots. Although most issues are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing, some areas of Nairobi and Mombasa are best avoided unless on guided activities. When venturing out in the city, you should follow a few simple safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before heading out; don’t wear valuables and only take the money you need with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Kenya and general travel safety precautions.

• Kenya: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Malaria & Vaccinations – Kenya

The information on this page is just a brief, general guide and should not be used in replacement of a consultation with your travel doctor. The government organizations and travel clinics below are trusted resources for complete and up-to-date info about travelers' health in Kenya.

Malaria Risk

High risk throughout the country except in high altitude areas over 2,000m including Nairobi, Nairobi NP, Laikipia plateau and Mt. Kenya. Most safari parks are high-risk zones. The highest risk of transition is during the rainy season from September to April.

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible