Getting to Amboseli from Nairobi
There are two ways to reach Amboseli National Park. By road, you can drive from Nairobi through Emali to Iremito Gate or through Namanga to Meshanani Gate, both park gates. The park tariff comes from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). By air, scheduled flights leave from Wilson Airport in Nairobi for the Amboseli airstrip. The road suits a day trip from Nairobi, and a flight shortens the journey when time is tight.
If you do not want to drive yourself, compare the Amboseli day trips from Nairobi, which handle the road and the gate. Whatever you choose, plan to arrive in daylight, because the gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00, and the UK travel advice for Kenya recommends arriving in national parks by day.
Nairobi to Amboseli by road
Two routes and what to plan for.
Through Emali to Iremito Gate
The distance from Nairobi through Emali to Iremito Gate is 204 km. A variant through Kimana brings you to Kimana Gate. See Kimana and Loitokitok for how the town, the gate and the sanctuary differ.
Through Namanga to Meshanani Gate
The distance through Namanga to Meshanani Gate is 220 km, and the road is gravel from Namanga. Count on a slower final stretch than on the Emali route.
Driving time
The distances depend on where in Nairobi you start. There is no fixed driving time, because traffic and road works vary. Leave early and keep a margin.
Public transport
Do not count on a scheduled public connection into the park. Plan on your own vehicle, a transfer or tour with an operator, or a flight.
For most visitors without their own vehicle, a day trip or a multi-day safari is the simplest way to cover the road, and it removes the gate and fee logistics. Self-drive visitors should check the gate they plan to use and carry a way to pay park fees online.
Our pick: fly instead of drive
A flight of about 45 minutes from Wilson Airport replaces the long road trip from Nairobi.
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 day trips and safaris from Nairobi
Road and flight trips to Amboseli, with live prices and availability.
Amboseli map: gates and routes at a glance
The three gates named for access.
| Gate | Reached by | Distance from Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Iremito Gate | Road through Emali | 204 km |
| Kimana Gate | Road variant through Kimana | Varies by route |
| Meshanani Gate | Road through Namanga, gravel from Namanga | 220 km |
Gate hours are 06:00 to 18:00, with an exception for guests staying overnight. Other gate names may be in use, so confirm the entrance with your lodge or operator. For most self-drive visitors coming from Nairobi, the Emali route to Iremito Gate has the shorter distance.
Park fees are paid online through KWSPay on eCitizen, and you can pay with M-Pesa or Visa. The park fees page has the 2026 rates.
Flights to the Amboseli airstrip
Scheduled 2026 flights from Wilson Airport.
Scheduled flights to Amboseli leave from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, which is about 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). If you connect from an international flight, allow time and a transfer for the airport change. A timetable shows a planned flight, not a guaranteed one.
| Scheduled service | Wilson to Amboseli | Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled service A, 2026 | 07:30 to 08:05 | 08:15 to 08:50 | Daily, minimum 2 passengers |
| Scheduled service B, 2026 | 07:00 to 07:45 | 08:00 to 08:45 | Example rack rate $204 one way plus $16 tax, $341 return plus $32 tax; serves Amboseli, Selenkay and Kimana; minimum 2 people per strip and 4 to operate |
| Scheduled service C | 08:15 to 08:55 in high season, 07:30 to 09:00 in low season | 09:05 to 09:50 | High season 16 December to 31 March and 1 July to 31 October |
Flight times differ between services, and routing can change a time, so treat the table as a guide and confirm your own flight. The fares are an example, not a live price. For most visitors with limited time, a flight saves the road time, provided you leave a margin for the airport change and a daylight transfer from the strip to your lodge.
The airstrip name and the 2026 closure
Two things to check before you fly.
Which strip?
The paved airstrip in the park is known as the Kimana airstrip and is 1.2 km long. Some flight schedules list Amboseli and Kimana as separate strips. Do not assume the names mean the same place. Ask which strip your ticket lands at and how the transfer to your lodge works.
Not Kilimanjaro Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport is not an Amboseli airstrip, so do not book a flight there for a park visit.
Floods in March 2026
The main Amboseli airstrip closed on 9 March 2026 because of floods, and flights were redirected to another airstrip. It reopened in May 2026 after a technical inspection. This was a temporary closure, but after heavy rain, ask your operator what the arrangements are. See Amboseli weather for the rain seasons.
The Mara connection
A 2026 schedule offers a connection from the Amboseli to Wilson flight on to the Mara. For that side, see flights to the Masai Mara.
Entry rules and travel advice for 2026
Check the current rules for your nationality before you go.
eTA
The Kenya eTA is a travel authorization, not a guarantee of entry. Processing normally takes 3 days, and at least 2 weeks before travel is recommended. Exemptions exist, for example for holders of a valid Kenyan residence or work permit and for certain nationalities, so check whether yours is exempt rather than assuming everyone needs one.
Health insurance
Since October 2026, most visitors who stay under 12 months need Kenyan travel health insurance provided by the state, applied for with the eTA, or through a separate portal if you already hold one. A foreign policy does not replace it. Exceptions include Kenyan citizens and residents, citizens of East African Community states and airside transits.
Yellow fever
A valid proof is required on arrival from yellow fever endemic areas. It is not a blanket rule for every direct flight, so check where your journey starts.
Health screening
UK travel advice mentions confirmed Ebola cases in Kenya and border screening and other measures for travelers at risk, mainly after travel from Uganda, Ethiopia or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is not a closure of Amboseli. Read your own government's advice before you travel.
Roads at night
The same advice recommends arriving in national parks by daylight, following ranger instructions and avoiding night driving on roads where possible.
The Tanzania border
Loitokitok is a border town, not an informal crossing. Hours and requirements are on the Kimana and Loitokitok page. For the Nairobi end of your trip, see the guide to getting to Nairobi National Park.
Plan the rest of your trip
Fees, lodging and the area around the gate.
Getting to Amboseli: frequently asked questions
How far is Amboseli from Nairobi?
The road distance is 204 km through Emali to Iremito Gate and 220 km through Namanga to Meshanani Gate, with gravel from Namanga. The exact distance depends on where in Nairobi you start.
How long does the drive from Nairobi take?
There is no fixed time, because traffic and road conditions vary. Leave early, keep a margin and plan to arrive in daylight.
Can I fly to Amboseli?
Yes. Scheduled flights leave from Wilson Airport. Scheduled flights take roughly 35 to 45 minutes. Confirm your flight, the airstrip and the transfer with your operator.
Is there a bus to Amboseli?
Do not count on a scheduled public connection into the park. Plan on your own vehicle, a tour or transfer, or a flight.
Do I need an eTA for Kenya?
Not everyone does. Some nationalities and permit holders are exempt, so check the current rules for yours. Allow at least 2 weeks before you travel, and note the health insurance rule that began in October 2026.
Is amboseli-national-park.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, an airline, Kajiado County or any safari operator.