Kenya · National park
Amboseli National Park
Elephants beneath Kilimanjaro
Size
About 392 km²
Location
Southern Kenya, on the Tanzania border
Best time
Jun–Oct and Jan–Feb
Known for
Elephants · Kilimanjaro views
About the park
The classic view of Africa
Amboseli is a small park with a big view. Snow-capped Kilimanjaro rises just across the border in Tanzania, and in the clear early mornings it towers over dusty plains, acacia woodland and the swamps fed by the mountain's meltwater.
Those swamps keep Amboseli green in the dry season and draw some of Africa's most studied elephants. Researchers have followed families here for more than 50 years, and the park is known for relaxed bulls with impressive tusks that let vehicles come close.
Highlights
Why visit Amboseli
Big elephant herds
Families gather in the swamps every day, often with Kilimanjaro behind them.
Kilimanjaro views
Best at sunrise and sunset, when the clouds usually lift from the summit.
Rich birdlife
More than 400 species, from pelicans and herons to crowned cranes.
Maasai neighbours
The park is surrounded by Maasai land, with community visits nearby.
When to visit
The dry seasons, June to October and January to February, bring the clearest mountain views and animals concentrated around the swamps. The rains in April, May and November turn the plains green but can hide the mountain in cloud.
Wildlife you may see
Elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, and many water birds.
Getting there
About 4–5 hours by road from Nairobi, or about 1 hour by scheduled flight. From Arusha it is around 4 hours via the Namanga border, so it pairs well with northern Tanzania.
Visit with Asili
Trips to pair with Amboseli
Plan your Amboseli safari
Add Amboseli to any Kenya trip or to a northern Tanzania safari, and we'll time your stay for the clearest mountain views.
Enquire now