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5Amboseli National Park Attractions Activities Tel/ Whatsapp: +254 723 684974
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Amboseli National Park Attractions and Activities Conntacts; Call/ Whatsapp +254723684974 for detailed information safaris, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Elephant herds and families, Activity fees and park entrance fees prices, rates, where to stay, what to do and see, visitor or tourist activities like cultural tours, sundowners, hiking, game drives, bird watching, accommodation and lodges, best offers, discounted rates for luxury tented camps, hotels, camping and campsites, self drive car hire rental, airfares, flights and flying safaris into the adjacent national parks.
Always observe park rules and regulationsAmboseli National Park Attractions- Location And Geography:
Amboseli National Park is located to the south east of Kenya in Kajiando district 238 Km from Nairobi. It has total area of 392 Km² and park borders Tanzania to the south. The name Amboseli comes from the Maasai place name, Empusel, meaning open plain. Amboseli National park is managed by KWS (Kenya Wildlife service) on behalf of the central government. The local people around the park are the nomadic Maasai. The Maasai way of life is compatible with wildlife conservation. Most of the conservation areas in Kenya are located in Maasai Reserves. A visit to Amboseli is not complete without visiting the Maasai homesteads.
History And Management
Amboseli National Park was gazetted in 1974 but in 2005 the park management reverted to Okejiando County council, thus the name changed to once more to Amboseli National Reserve. It had been a reserve since 1948. It is the best place to photograph the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro (5985M). The reserve is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.
Getting to Amboseli National Park/Reserve
Amboseli attracts visitors from all over the world. Amboseli National park can be accessed by road or air. Though a majority of the visitors are in organized groups, private individuals can visit the park without any fear. International visitors mostly arrive at either Nairobi, Mombasa or Kilimanjaro Airports where they are picked by tour operator or private cars and driven to the park.It is possible to hire private cars from Nairobi,Mombasa or Kilimanjaro airports and drive into the park. To visit the park you need a car. The road distance from Nairobi varies.
Driving from Nairobi:
Nairobi to Namanga (240 km tarmac) on the Nairobi - Namanga Road, via Meshanani Gate (75km).Nairobito Emali (228 km tarmac) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road, via Remito Gate (64 km)
Mombasathrough Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
Flying to Amboseli National Park
The Amboseli National Reserve has an airstrip at Empusel gate.Others are Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge, Kimana and Namanga town. Flights to Amboseli National park originates from Nairobis Wilson Airport and Moi Airport Mombasa. Charter flights are available from Nairobi Wilson Airport.Amboseli National Park Attractions
In summary Attractions in Amboseli National Park comprise of attractions and activities. Attractions of eye appeal, what people see include the majestic elephants and the beautiful scenery centred on Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru, swamps, lakes, hills, plains and unique culture the local masai. Activities comprise of recreational and leisure undertakings available to visitors like game drives, sundowners, cultural tours, camping, bush meals, balloon safaris, cultural dances, shopping, birding,etc.
Amboseli National Park Attractions-A summary
Below is a summary list of 8 most important tourist or visitor attractions in Amboseli National Park- Mt Kilimanjaro
- Large Herds of Elephants:
- Observation Hill
- Diverse species of Mammals
- Profusion of birdlife
- Unique culture of local Masai
- Swamps and Lakes
- Visitor Activities- game drives, bird watching, balloon safaris, cultural tours, sundowners
Amboseli National Park Attractions In Details
1. Mount Kilimanjaro Views:
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Amboseli offers some of the most beautiful splendid views of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Its beautiful snow-capped summit dominates the landscape, creating a spectacular backdrop for wildlife photography, particularly during clear mornings and late afternoons.
The mountain is technically in Tanzania, but Amboseli's location at its foothills provides unparalleled vantage points.
Mt Meru the second highest elevation in Tanzania.
2. Large Herds of Elephants:
Amboseli is often called the "Home of the African Elephant" due to its remarkably large and habituated elephant population. You can get incredibly close to free-ranging herds, observing their behavior, including bathing in the swamps.
The park is also a significant center for elephant research, with projects like the Amboseli Elephant Research Project having studied these magnificent creatures for decades.
3. Diversity of Mammals:
Beyond elephants, Amboseli is the one place your can spot four of the "Big Five" (lion, buffalo, leopard, and elephant, though rhinos are absent and leopards are rarely seen).
The Park has a large mammal population. Among the species to be found here are elephants, zebra, gnu, hippopotamus, buffalo, spotted hyena, waterbuck, Maasai giraffe, Thomsons and Grants gazelle, impala, lion and cheetah. gerenuk, fringed-eared, duikers, aardwolf, spotted hyena, lions, buffaloes, baboons, bush baby, Serval cat, caracal, leopard, jackals..
Game drives are the primary activity, allowing you to explore the park's diverse habitats, including savanna grasslands, acacia woodlands, rocky thorn bush, and swamps.
4. Observation Hill:
From its pyramidal peak one has 360-degree panoramic view of the entire park.
It's one of the few places in Amboseli where visitors are allowed to get out of their vehicles and enjoy a short hike to the summit.
From Observation Hill, you can overlook the swamps teeming with elephants, hippos, and birds, and enjoy incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's an excellent spot for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset.
5. Bird Paradise:
Amboseli is a birdwatchers paradise with over 420 species recorded, including 40 birds of prey.
The park's swamps and wetlands attract a wide array of water birds such as pelicans, kingfishers, herons, and various migratory species, especially during the wet seasons.
6. Cultural Tourism (Maasai Culture):
Amboseli is located in the heart of Maasai land, offering opportunities to interact with the local Maasai people.
You can visit Maasai villages (manyattas) and cultural centers to learn about their traditional way of life, dances, and crafts.
7. Swamps and Lakes:
Swamps-OloKenya, EnKongo Narok, Oltukai, which serve as livelihood of this otherwise dissolute park. They are also inhabited by hippos and attract large numbers of birds..
Lake Amboseli is a temporary lake that floods during heavy rains, attracting flamingos and other water birds.
Amboseli National Park Attractions-Visitor Activities:
8. Photography: Amboseli is a photographer's dream, with the combination of wildlife and Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
9. Picnicking: Designated picnic areas, including at Observation Hill, allow you to enjoy meals amidst the beautiful scenery.
10. Camping: KWS offers self-catering accommodation and various campsites for budget travelers.
11. Hot Air Balloon Safaris: For a truly unique perspective, you can experience a hot air balloon safari over the park.
12. Best Time to Visit: The dry season (June to October and January to February) is generally considered the best for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around the remaining water sources.
13. Game drivesthese are conducted through out the day. The best times to see animals is early in the morning and evenings. During the heat of the day animals will congregate in the swamps.
15. Balloon Safaris: They depart at dawn with guests returning to their lodges after champaigne breakfast
16. Bird Watching: -With over 400 recorded species of birds, Amboseli is an ideal destination for birding.The best time to watch birds is at dawn or at dusk.
17. Sundowners: sunset watch meals and drinks - romantic samptous meals served with sparkling drinks in the most scenic locations as the sun sinks in the horizon is an experience never to be missed. Most of the facilities do offer these on request
18. Night game drives:Offer opportunities to see nocturnal or night wildlife in action like lion hunting
19. Bush Meals:breakfasts/ lunches/ dinners
20. Camping: - camping is available in the public and special campsites. Unlike public campsites, there is nothing special in Special campsites. Special campsites are do it yourself and lack amenities like toilets, showers, kitchens
21. Swimming: most of the lodges have fitness centers that feature swimming pools
22. Mice:- Meetings, Incentives, Conferences facilities are available in the lodges
23 Cultural tours: to the local villages
24. Campfires:are meeting or gatherings open to all guests. At the campfire ground is a big fire to keep the guests warm as they dance, tell stories and jokes, drink and exchange contact. Yes most of the campfires feature campfire bar where guests can order drinks. It is a lovely experience never to be missed
25. Health and spa in massage parlours:
26. Wining and dining: offer numerous avenues and opportunities to sample local cuiseine
27. Rhino sanctuary:Amboseli Park is a holiday destination of choice for nature lovers and features a Rhino Sanctuary.
Amboseli National Park truly offers an unforgettable African safari experience, combining iconic wildlife encounters with breathtaking landscapes.
Park Entrance Fees:
- Foreigner/Non Resident Adult US$ 60.00
- Foreigner/ Non Resident Child US$ 30.00
- Resident Adult KES 1030.00
- Resident Child KES 515.00
- Citizen Adult KES 860.00
- Citizen Child KES 215.00
Activity Fees:
- Camping fee Adult Non Resident USD 30.00
- Camping fee Non Resident Child USD 25.00
- Camping fee Resident Adult KES 600.00
- Camping fee Resident Child KES 350.00
- Camping fee Citizen Adult KES 500.00
- Camping fee Citizen Child KES 215.00
- Security/Guided tour per guide 4 hours KES 1720.00
- Security/Guided tour per guide over 4 hours KES 3015.00
Safaris / Tours to Amboseli National Park
At Gorilla Safaris Rwanda, we do organize custom or tailor make tours for our clients to Amboseli National Park perse or in combination of other national parks within like Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara and across the border, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Tarangire from Nairobi,Mombasa or Kilimanjaro.
OurWildlife safaris can last from one to several days depending on the guest request. A good safari will include visits to nearby national parks of Tsavo West, Tsavo West and the nearby Chyulu Hills. Note that the park is also surrounded by group ranches which offer an alternative destination. A popular package is the 12 days Nairobi-Masai Mara-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Lake Manyara-Amboseli-Nairobi .Those that have short stay can combine Amboseli National Reserve with the Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara Naivasha Safari. A very good package would combine Amboseli with Mt Kenya, Samburu, Sweet Waters Nakuru and Maasai Mara Safari. Amboseli National Park is easily combined with Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Safaris or Beach destinations of Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi, Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam. To help us tailor make your safari just let us know the number of participants, desired destinations, the dates of travel and duration of stay. Also important are desired accommodation facilities.Climate Of Amboseli National Park
Being on the leeward side of Mt Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park experiences a modified tropical climate. The are is hot and dry (arid) with an annual rainfallof 300 mm. The hottest month- September has averages of 30 degrees centigrade and the coolest month have 27 degrees centigrade.Amboseli experiences two rainy seasons-April/ May; November December. Evaporations rates are very high. The Aridity of the area makes ideal for game sighting. During the dry months, animals congregate on the swamps.Amboseli National Park/ Reserve Habitats
Amboseli National Park Attractions / Activities
In summary Attractions in Amboseli National Park comprise of attractions and activities. Attractions of eye appeal, what people see include the majestic elephants and the beautiful scenery centred on Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru, swamps, lakes, hills, plains and unique culture the local masai. Activities comprise of recreational and leisure undertakings available to visitors like game drives, sundowners, cultural tours, camping, bush meals, balloon safaris, cultural dances, shopping, birding,etc.Amboseli National Park Attractions
Amboseli Elephants
Amboseli National Park/Reserve is the home of the most celebrated and longest studied elephant population in the World. Due to absence of poaching and culling, Amboseli elephants are the only ones with animals spanning the whole age range- newborn calves, old matriarchs in their 60s, and unusually many large adult bulls in their 40s, 50s and even 60s. Currently, the Amboseli population comprises of approximately 2000 individuals in 54 families and over 211 independent adult bulls.
Physical features
Amboseli elephants and Mt Kilimanjaro are definitely among the top 10 attractions in Amboseli National Park
The main physical features in Amboseli Reserve are;- Mt.Kilimanjaro-offering beautiful splendid views and photographic background.
- Observation hill
- Mt Meru in Tanzania.
Amboseli Wildlife
Accommodation in Amboseli National Park:
Accommodation in Amboseli is diverse and comprise of luxury 5 star safari Lodges, hotels and Tented Camps to basic do it yourself campsites and bandas to cater for different classes of travellers. Among the famous lodges are Amboseli serena, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Amboseli Kimana Lodge and Amboseli Oltukai Lodge. The finest five star lodges like Otukai, Kibo Villa, Kibo Safari Camp, Tawi Lodge, Tortilis camp, Kilima Safari Camp offer luxury facilities like spa, jaccuzi, fitness centers and private swimming pools.
Luxury Accommodation
Amboseli Serena Lodge
Amboseli Serena Lodge has a total of 92 rooms. The lodge offers:- Bush Dinners; Sundowners at Observation Hill; Private picnics; specialist cultural entertainments; Full housekeeping services (laundry, valet, babysitting on request );Full medical back-up and emergency evacuation facilities; Africana Gift Shop; Beauty treatments, massage and hairdressing; Swimming Pool, nature walks, jogging trails, bird watching and game drives; Forex facilities; Full library of books on Africa.80 luxury chalet-style twin rooms at Ol Tukai Lodge, all with an uninterrupted view of the wetlands or Kilimanjaro. All rooms have private bathrooms and individual terraces. Other facilities include:-Restaurants and 2 bars, Swimming pool, Bureau de Change, Credit cards, Children corner, Telephone, fax and radio call, 200 delegates Conference facility with video, flip charts, projector and other relevant apparatus, Multi denominational chapel, Clinic. Activities include board games, game drives, Maasai dances, bird-walks and lectures on elephants Amboseli Lodge
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Nestled in 190 acres of wooded Maasai land, the lodge sits on the foot hills of Africa's highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro four hours drive from Nairobi. Mature wooded gardens with a variety of trees and plants, from thorn trees and acacias, to fragrant frangipanis, colourful bougainvillea and giant cactus plants thrive in these surroundings. Different species of birds build their nests while monkeys with babies clinging under their bellies and squirrels dart through the gardens. The Lodge boasts of, Gift shop, Laundry, Swimming pool, Children's pool, Evening turn down service, Baby sitting, Balloon safaris, Nature walks, Car wash
Amboseli Sentrim Lodge
Amboseli Tawi Lodge
Amboseli AA Lodge
Amboseli Eco Lodge
Amboseli Kimana Camp
Amboseli Kibo Safari Camp
Amboseli Satao Elerai Lodge
Amboseli Kibo Villa Lodge
Amboseli Tortilis Camp
Our Popular Safaris
National Parks
Tanznaia National Parks
Rwanda National Parks
Frequently Asked Questions
Question:What are the visitor, people or tourist activities in Amboseli? What do people do in Amboseli?
Answer:There are numerous activitiesties are available for visitors in Amboseli National Park. The list is endless. In summary among the top 10 visitor or tourist activities in Amboseli national park are game drives, game watching, safaris, elephant watch, mountain climbing, balloon safaris, bird watching, sundowners, bush dinners, night game drives, mice, camping, holidaying and vacationing, honeymooning
Question:How much is the park entrance fee in Amboseli National Park?
Answer: The park entrance for 2024 and onwards to 2025 is as follows:
- Foreigner/Non Resident Adult USD 60.00
- Foreigner/ Non Resident Child
- Resident Adult KES 1030.00
- Resident Child KES 515.00
- Citizen Adult KES 860.00
- Citizen Child KES 215.00
Question: How much are activity fees in Amboseli National Park?
Answer:Activity fees, prices or costs in Amboseli National Park for years 2024/2025 are as follows;
- Camping fee Adult Non Resident USD 30.00
- Camping fee Non Resident Child USD 25.00
- Camping fee Resident Adult KES 600.00
- Camping fee Resident Child KES 350.00
- Camping fee Citizen Adult KES 500.00
- Camping fee Citizen Child KES 215.00
- Security/Guided tour per guide 4 hours KES 1720.00
- Security/Guided tour per guide over 4 hours KES 3015.00