Amboseli lodges and where to stay
Accommodation around Amboseli falls into three groups: lodges and other accommodation inside the park, public camping, and places on the community land outside the gates. Park accommodation clusters in the busy area around Ol Tukai, and public camping lies near the park office. The Ol Tukai area and the community land beyond the park are different places with different arrangements, so it helps to know which one a booking is in.
Amboseli has public camping, self-catering houses and cottages, and private accommodation. Public camping and the park tariff come from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). This guide does not recommend a single lodge, and the options named here are not a complete list of what lies inside the park boundary. If you are still choosing between a day trip and a night in the area, look at the Amboseli safari tours and see how many nights each one includes.
Places to stay in Amboseli National Park
Four options inside the boundary.
Lodges near Ol Tukai
Park accommodation concentrates in the heavily used zone around Ol Tukai. You wake up inside the park, so your game drive can start at first light. Amenities and prices differ from lodge to lodge, so compare what each booking includes.
Public camping near the park office
Public camping is available at Amboseli, and its fee is lower than the special campsite fee. Check the booking unit, the facilities and availability for your dates before you rely on a pitch.
Self-catering houses and cottages
Self-catering houses and cottages are also available. They suit groups and longer stays, because you cook for yourselves. Ask what is provided and how you order supplies.
Special campsites
Special campsites are a higher-priced category. Ask whether a specific site is available for your dates before you plan around it.
Do not assume that any one lodge is the only place to stay in the park. For most visitors who want to wake up inside the park and keep the logistics simple, a lodge near Ol Tukai is the easiest choice. Budget travelers with their own vehicle should look at public camping first.
Our pick: stay and safari in one booking
One night with all meals is included, if you would rather not book a bed separately.
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 safaris with an overnight stay
Two and three day Amboseli safaris from Nairobi, plus day trips, with live prices and availability.
Amboseli accommodation outside the park
Community land around Kimana.
You can also sleep outside the park gates, around Kimana and on the surrounding community land. The Kimana Sanctuary is a community conservation area and a link between Amboseli and Tsavo. It is not part of the national park. You can read how the town, the gate and the sanctuary relate on the Kimana and Loitokitok page.
Staying outside has two practical effects. First, you enter the park through a gate each day, so the gate hours of 06:00 to 18:00 shape your timetable. Second, a stay in a sanctuary does not replace park entry. Park fees apply when you drive into Amboseli, and the park fees page explains the categories. Ask your host about the rules for night drives and off-road driving, because arrangements can differ between conservancies.
Camping fees at Amboseli in 2026
Adult and child or student rates. Park entry is charged separately.
| Visitor category | Public camping Amboseli | Special campsite Amboseli |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 250 / KES 200 | KES 500 / KES 250 |
| Kenya resident | KES 350 / KES 250 | KES 700 / KES 350 |
| Non-resident | $30 / $25 | $50 / $25 |
| African citizen outside East Africa | $15 / $13 | $25 / $15 |
Each cell shows the adult rate first and the child or student rate second, from the KWS tariff of October 2025. Check the unit of the fee (per person per night or otherwise) before you pay, and confirm that a pitch is free. A reservation fee of KES 10,000 per week applies to special campsites and is not refundable. Resident rates need a valid Kenyan residence permit, and being a citizen of an East African country is not the same as being a resident.
For most campers who organise their own trip, public camping is the simplest and cheapest place to start. Choose a special campsite only after you have confirmed which site you would get and what it includes.
How to choose where to stay
Four questions that decide it.
How many nights?
For one night, staying inside the park saves the daily gate run. For two or three nights, compare an inside lodge with a stay on community land and the drive each morning.
How will you arrive?
If you fly, ask where the airstrip transfer ends and who meets you. If you drive, check the gate you will use and when you can arrive in daylight. See getting there.
What do you want to see?
Elephants, swamps and the mountain view are the main reasons to come. Weather affects the mountain view, and the weather page explains the seasons.
Combining parks?
If Amboseli is one stop on a longer trip, see where to stay in Tsavo or where to stay in the Masai Mara.
Amboseli accommodation: frequently asked questions
Can I stay inside Amboseli National Park?
Yes. Amboseli has public camping, self-catering houses and cottages and private accommodation, and park accommodation concentrates around Ol Tukai. Check where a specific booking is located.
Does my park fee cover several nights?
No. The park fee is a daily fee for a single entry of up to 24 hours, and camping fees are charged separately. If you stay several nights, ask what your booking includes.
Is camping available in Amboseli?
Public camping and special campsites both exist at Amboseli. Check availability and the unit of the fee for your dates before you rely on a pitch.
Which lodge should I choose?
This guide does not recommend single lodges. Compare location, what the price includes and how far each place is from the gate you will use.
Is it better to stay inside or outside the park?
Inside, you start your drive without the trip to a gate. Outside, on community land around Kimana, you drive in each day within the gate hours of 06:00 to 18:00. Choose by the length of your stay and your budget.
Is amboseli-national-park.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kajiado County or any lodge, camp or safari operator.