DESTINATION GUIDE // KENYA
Amboseli National Park
Big elephant herds under the snows of Kilimanjaro, on open ground where you can see for miles.
392 km2
PARK AREA
1,600+
ELEPHANTS
Jun-Oct
BEST MONTHS
240 km
FROM NAIROBI
400+
BIRD SPECIES
Quick answer: Amboseli National Park sits in Kajiado County in southern Kenya, on the Tanzanian border directly beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. It covers 392 square kilometres and is roughly a four hour drive or a 45 minute flight from Nairobi. It is the most reliable place in Kenya for large elephant herds and clear mountain views.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Amboseli National Park At A Glance
Amboseli is small by Kenyan standards but unusually rewarding. Meltwater from Kilimanjaro feeds permanent swamps in the middle of otherwise dry country, so wildlife concentrates in predictable places year round. The vegetation is low and open, which means you see a long way and photography is straightforward. On clear mornings the mountain fills the southern horizon.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Kajiado County, southern Kenya, on the Tanzanian border |
| Distance from Nairobi | Approximately 240 km, 4 hours by road or 45 minutes by air |
| Size | 392 km2 |
| Established | Reserve in 1906, national park in 1974 |
| Altitude | 1,100 to 1,200 metres |
| Time zone | EAT, GMT +3 |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Elephant Herds
Amboseli has some of the most studied elephants on earth, with families tracked across five decades. Herds of fifty or more cross the pans daily.
Kilimanjaro Views
The mountain is clearest at dawn and just before dusk. Observation Hill gives a wide view over the swamps and the peak together.
Birdlife
Over 400 species. The swamps hold pelican, crowned crane and African fish eagle, with flamingo on the seasonal lakes.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Oct | Dry, clearest mountain views, animals concentrated at the swamps | High |
| Jan to Feb | Warm and clear, excellent photography, fewer vehicles | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, lush and very quiet, lower rates | Low |
| Nov to Dec | Short rains, fresh grass, good value | Medium |
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