Signature DestinationNational ParkSouthern Kenya

Amboseli National Park

Big elephant country beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, with marshes, open plains and some of Kenya’s most iconic safari views.

Include in My Safari View Photos Open Map

Best TimeJune to October and January to February

High SeasonDecember to March and July to October

Size390 km² / 151 mi²

Altitude1,124-1,169 m / 3,688-3,835 ft

Overview

Why visit Amboseli National Park?

Amboseli is one of Kenya’s signature safari landscapes, combining open plains, permanent wetlands and the dramatic presence of Mount Kilimanjaro just across the border in Tanzania. The park is compact enough for productive game drives and is particularly famous for long-studied elephant families that move between the marshes and surrounding plains.

Before You Go

A quick, practical view

Why travellers choose it

Highlights

✓Outstanding elephant viewing
✓Classic Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop
✓Productive wildlife viewing in a compact park
✓Excellent wetland and waterbird photography

Good to know

Considerations

•Peak periods can be very busy
•Dust can reduce visibility in dry, windy weather
•Leopard sightings are uncommon and rhino is absent

Wildlife

What you can see

Large elephant herds are Amboseli’s defining wildlife experience. Buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, hippo and giraffe are common, while lion is regularly seen and cheetah is possible; rhino is absent and leopard is rarely encountered.

Scenery & Habitat

The landscape

Amboseli mixes pale dust plains, acacia woodland and vivid green swamps fed by underground water from Kilimanjaro. When the mountain is clear, the combination of wildlife and its snow-capped summit creates some of East Africa’s most recognisable safari scenes.

Experiences

Things to do

Daytime game drives are the core activity. Hot-air ballooning may be available through selected operators, while Observation Hill provides a permitted place to leave the vehicle and look across the wetlands and plains.

Plan Around The Seasons

When to visit Amboseli National Park

Best Time To Visit

When to go

January to February and June to October are the most dependable periods for dry-weather game viewing. Clear views of Kilimanjaro are never guaranteed, so early mornings and late afternoons are especially valuable for photography.

Weather & Climate

What conditions feel like

Days are generally warm to hot and nights are mild. The wet season runs broadly from November to May, while June to October is drier and slightly cooler.

Getting There

How Amboseli National Park fits into your route

Amboseli is reached by road from Nairobi on the southern safari circuit, or by scheduled and charter flights to local airstrips. It combines naturally with Tsavo, Nairobi and cross-border Tanzania itineraries.

Ask us to build the route →