National park · Kenya
Amboseli National Park
Enter Amboseli for a half‑day game drive to see elephants and Kilimanjaro (entry KES 80 – 120, drive 4×4), or spend a full day with a guided walk on Observation Hill in the early morning; avoid the rainy months Mar–May and Nov for road safety.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²)
- 767 km²; managed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nairobi
Amboseli National Park is a compact, accessible safari destination known for large elephant herds and iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park covers 767 km² of open plains, wetlands, and acacia woodland, and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. It is a reliable choice for a short trip from Nairobi, with game drives as the main activity and walking allowed only at Observation Hill.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
767 km² (296 sq mi)296 sq mi (767 km²) · national park since 1974
767 km²; managed by Kenya Wildlife Service.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nairobi.
Why go
- Large, accessible elephant herds on open plains.
- Panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, especially from Observation Hill.
- Rich birdlife with over 400 species.
- Proximity to Nairobi makes it a convenient short‑trip safari.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife viewing.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife viewing.
- MarStart of short rains; roads may get muddy.
- AprShort rains; some tracks wet.
- MayLonger rains; roads often impassable.
- JunDry, cooler; excellent game viewing.
- JulDry, cooler; excellent game viewing.
- AugDry, cooler; excellent game viewing.
- SepDry, cooler; excellent game viewing.
- OctDry, warm; good visibility of Kilimanjaro.
- NovShort rains return; roads may flood.
- DecCool, dry; good wildlife activity.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants (large herds)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 400 bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kimana Gate | Main southern entrance, vehicle check‑in, basic kiosk. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Iremito Gate | Eastern entrance, popular for lodges and game drives. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Observation Hill area | Designated walking spot with Kilimanjaro views and short trails. | Open; no permit needed. |
Sketch map
- 1Kimana Gate · Gate≈-2.637, 37.300Southern entrance, main access point.Map ↗
- 2Iremito Gate · Gate≈-2.660, 37.210Eastern entrance, near many lodges.Map ↗
- 3Observation Hill · Viewpoint≈-2.640, 37.260Best Kilimanjaro view; only walking area.Map ↗
- 4Enkongo Narok Swamp · Trail≈-2.650, 37.250Birdwatching hotspot.Map ↗
- 5Ol Tukai Lodge · Sleep≈-2.658, 37.215Mid‑range lodge near Iremito.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre‑point of the park (approximate).
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, adult) | KES 80–120 | person | 2026 estimate; official KWS rates may vary. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicle type
- Only 4×4 vehicles allowed on park roads; 2‑WD may be barred during rains.
- Walking
- Walking prohibited except in the Observation Hill area.
- Firearms
- Carrying weapons is forbidden; only licensed guides may have rifles for anti‑poaching.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no open fires inside the park.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without KWS permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ol Tukai Lodge
Mid‑range lodge just outside Iremito gate, pool and full‑board options.
Near the park
Tortillis Camp
Luxury tented camp with private decks and guided drives.
Near the park
Kimana town guesthouses
Budget rooms and basic meals; good for self‑drive visitors.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Road conditions in rainy season high
Wildlife encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to gates is via paved roads; park interior roads are rough and unpaved.
- Observation Hill has a short, graded path suitable for walkers with limited mobility, but steep sections may be challenging.
Visiting lightly
- Buy souvenirs directly from Maasai artisans in Kimana to support local communities.
- Choose lodges that follow KWS waste‑management guidelines.
- Avoid unofficial 'langur' or 'elephant' tours that promise close encounters.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Amboseli National Park?
Adult entry is KES 80 – 120 per person (2026 estimate). Children and residents pay less; tickets are bought at any gate.
What are the best hikes in Amboseli National Park?
Walking is only allowed on Observation Hill, a short 1‑2 km trail with Kilimanjaro views. All other wildlife viewing is done by 4×4 game drive.
When is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park?
Dry months June to October and the cool months January–February give the best wildlife sightings and road conditions.
Can I self‑drive in Amboseli?
Yes, but a 4×4 vehicle is required year‑round; during the short rains roads can become impassable.
Are there any accommodation options inside the park?
No permanent lodges are inside the park; accommodation is available just outside the gates (e.g., Ol Tukai Lodge, Tortillis Camp).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Amboseli National Park
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