Amboseli National Park was declared a national reserve in 1968 and upgraded to a national park in 1974. In 2005, management was transferred to the Olkejuedo County Council and the Maasai community, a move still under legal review due to its potential impact on Kenya’s national parks.
Covering 392 km² (151 sq. miles), Amboseli features plains, acacia woodlands, rocky thorn bush, swamps, and marshes. The park also includes a dry Pleistocene lake basin that temporarily fills after the rains, creating Lake Amboseli. Sparse vegetation and a long dry season make it ideal for wildlife viewing.
Amboseli is home to elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous other African animals. Birdwatchers can enjoy a variety of species, both large and small. The park is famous for offering close-up sightings due to open landscapes.
The park offers breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m, providing a stunning backdrop for photography and safari experiences.
Visitors are advised to follow park rules: remain in vehicles except at designated spots, do not harass animals, keep to tracks, avoid off-road driving, and always respect wildlife. Roads are volcanic soil and can be dusty in dry seasons or impassable when wet.
Combine your Amboseli adventure with other iconic parks, or check our Masai Mara safaris or Lake Naivasha tours for curated trips.
For official park updates and conservation information, visit the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The main purpose of a wildlife safari is to see Kenya’s wild animals in their natural state. Many people are surprised when they see birds perched within the reach of predators, or gazelles grazing near big cats. The truth is that predators generally only kill to eat, and for the rest of the time both predators and prey live harmoniously together. Amboseli National Park is known for its large herd of over 900 free-ranging elephants. This is the best national park to visit to see these wonderful and huge creatures. Herd of Elephants in Amboseli View or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Visit Observation Hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and, of course, the herds of free-roaming elephants. Meet the Maasai people and learn about the Maasai culture and their indigenous lifestyle. Bird watching is best between October and January if you want to see Kenya’s migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name a few.