Amboseli National Park in a nutshell
Amboseli National Park is in Kajiado County in southern Kenya. The park covers 392.06 km² of savanna, woodland and wetlands at the Kenyan foot of Kilimanjaro. The wider Amboseli ecosystem is larger than the park and reaches across the border into Tanzania, so park area and ecosystem area are two different numbers. The mountain itself stands in Tanzania. Maasai communities live in and around the area, and UNESCO has listed it as a biosphere reserve since 1991.
This guide covers what you need to plan a visit: safaris and tours, park fees and payment, the elephants, the Kilimanjaro views, wildlife, Lake Amboseli and the swamps, the Chyulu Hills, Kimana and Loitokitok, Maasai village visits, history, weather, where to stay and getting there. Prices are for 2026 and can change. Mountain views and animal sightings depend on the day, so plan for good chances, not promises.
Our picks: Amboseli safaris
If time is short, the fly-in is back the same day with the fees included. For a first visit, the two- and three-day safaris with park fees in the price are the simplest to plan, and the day trips are the cheaper way in, with early starts.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Amboseli and Chyulu Hills in 3 days
- Amboseli and Chyulu Hills
- Both park entries included
- Two nights, full board
Game drives in Amboseli, then guided hikes or scenic drives in the Chyulu Hills. Ask about the exact pickup point before booking.
Check availability →
Fly-in game drive to Amboseli
- Return flight from Nairobi
- Park fees included
- Picnic or bush lunch
A flight of about 45 minutes replaces the long drive, with guided game drives on arrival. You are back in Nairobi the same day.
Check availability →
2-day Amboseli safari with an overnight stay
- Park entry included
- One night, all meals
- Pop-up roof van
Park entry, dinner, a night and breakfast are in one price. The tour can also be booked as a private one for up to eight people.
Check availability →3-day Amboseli safari with park fees included
- Park fees included
- Two nights, full board
- Hotel or airport pickup
A pop-up roof van with two nights in the park area. The group and private options start at different points, so check yours.
Check availability →
Amboseli day trip with a Maasai village visit
- Game drive in a 4x4
- Hotel pickup and return
- Guide and water
The drive to the park takes about three hours each way. Park fees are extra, and so is the fee for the village.
Check availability →
Day trip from Nairobi to Amboseli
- Hotel pickup and return
- Game drive in Amboseli
- Guide and water
A 4x4, safari van or Land Cruiser, depending on the option you pick. Park fees are extra, and so is the fee for the Maasai village stop.
Check availability →Amboseli safaris and tours
Day trips from Nairobi and multi-day safaris, with live prices and availability. Check what each offer says about park fees and transport.
Plan your Amboseli visit
Start with the safari and fee pages, then pick the topics you need.
Amboseli safari
Game drives, rules in the park, and day trips or 2 and 3 day formats compared.
Amboseli tours
Guided safaris, the day trip from Nairobi and what to check about transfers.
Park fees
Entry by visitor category, vehicle fees, children, students and payment.
Getting to Amboseli
Roads from Nairobi, the park gates and scheduled flights.
Where to stay
Lodges and camps in the park and around it, and camping fees.
Weather and best time
Rainy and dry seasons and how to choose your travel time.
Animals, landscapes and people
What makes the area worth the trip.
Amboseli elephants
Family herds, big tuskers and the long running research.
Animals of Amboseli
Lions, giraffes, wildebeest and over 400 bird species.
Kilimanjaro views
Photo spots, Observation Hill and what affects the view.
Lake Amboseli and the swamps
A lake basin that changes with the water, and the swamps around it.
Chyulu Hills
Green hills, lava fields, a long cave and a separate entry fee.
Kimana and Loitokitok
A gate, a town, a sanctuary and a border post, kept apart.
Maasai village visits
Visiting a community respectfully and photographing with consent.
History of the park
From a reserve for the Maasai in 1906 to a national park in 1974.
Kilimanjaro itself is in Tanzania. If you want to climb it, see the Kilimanjaro climbing guide. A longer Kenya trip can add the neighbouring Tsavo parks, and the capital has its own Nairobi National Park guide.
A few things to know before you go
Current facts that shape a plan.
One tariff all year
The current Amboseli tariff has applied since 1 October 2025 and has no seasonal split. Non-residents pay $90 per adult and $45 per child in 2026; residents and citizens pay in Kenyan shillings.
Park fees →The big tuskers of the past
Tim (1969 to 2020) and Craig (who died in January 2026 at the age of 54) belong to the park's story. Today the main draw is the family herds, which researchers have followed since 1972.
Elephants →A lake that changes
The lake basin is neither always dry nor always full. It can be dry ground in some periods and swampy when the water is high, while springs keep the swamps supplied.
Lake Amboseli →Biosphere reserve, not World Heritage
UNESCO lists the Amboseli biosphere reserve (1991). The park was put forward for the World Heritage tentative list in 2023, which is not an inscription. The World Heritage site Kilimanjaro National Park is in Tanzania.
History →Pay without cash
Park fees are paid through the KWS payment system on eCitizen. M-Pesa and Visa are among the options. Online payments can add fees, so the final amount may be higher than the tariff.
How to pay →More independent guides to Kenya
Separate guides from the same team.
Kenya Coast
Diani Beach, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi and safaris to Tsavo East.
Lamu
The Swahili old town, dhow trips and the islands of the archipelago.
Maasai Mara
Safaris, the Great Migration, balloon flights and park fees.
Nairobi National Park
Game drives in the capital, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.
Lake Nakuru
Rhinos, flamingos, Rift Valley lakes and day trips from Nairobi.
Tsavo
Tsavo East and West, red elephants and safaris from Mombasa.
Samburu
The Special Five, the Ewaso Nyiro River and northern Kenya.
Lake Naivasha
Boat rides with hippos, Crescent Island and Mount Longonot.
Hell's Gate
Cycling, the gorge walk and the Olkaria geothermal spa.
Ol Pejeta
Rhinos, the last northern white rhinos, chimpanzees and Nanyuki.
Mount Kenya
Treks to Point Lenana, the climbing routes and park fees.
Aberdare
Waterfalls, Treetops, mountain forest safaris and Nyeri.
Amboseli National Park: frequently asked questions
Where is Amboseli National Park?
In Kajiado County in southern Kenya, at the Kenyan foot of Kilimanjaro and close to the Tanzanian border. By road, Iremito Gate is 204 km from Nairobi via Emali. See getting there.
How much does Amboseli National Park cost?
For non-residents the 2026 entry fee is $90 per adult and $45 per child, valid for one entry of up to 24 hours. A vehicle fee is added per day, from KES 600 for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats. Details are on the park fees page.
Can I see Kilimanjaro from Amboseli?
Often, but not on every day. Clouds can hide the summit, and no lodge or viewpoint can promise a clear view. The Kilimanjaro views page explains the photo spots.
Do I need an eTA or insurance for Kenya?
Many visitors need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA). Processing usually takes 3 days, and applying at least 2 weeks ahead is recommended. Some nationalities and permit holders are exempt. Since October 2026, most visitors staying under 12 months also need Kenya's state-provided travel health insurance. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
Can I visit Amboseli as a day trip from Nairobi?
Yes, as a planning format. The gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00 and the road is 204 km each way, so ask the operator about pickup and return times. See Amboseli tours and the safari page.
Is amboseli-national-park.org run by the Kenya Wildlife Service?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the official website of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kajiado County or any conservancy, and it is not connected to any safari operator or lodge.