Amboseli National Park is located in the most southern tip of Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. It is known for the insane safari in Amboseli National Park, where you can spot huge herds of elephants, among other things. Yet it has more to offer than just a day on safari. Find out below the things to do in Amboseli in Kenya.
Content of this blog:
1. Jeep safari in Amboseli National Park
Of course, the name Amboseli says it all: you can’t have visited without going on safari in Amboseli National Park. With Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, hundreds of elephants and the presence of the big five, Amboseli National Park is one of the most famous safari parks in Kenya.
The entrance fee to Amboseli National Park as a foreigner is $60 per person. In addition, you also pay an average of $200 for a jeep and guide. So it’s wise to check if you can share the jeep and guide with other travelers to reduce costs and of course have some more fun.
While on safari in Amboseli, we saw the most herds of animals of all our safaris in Kenya (more than at Maasai Mara, Tsavo and Lake Nakuru). We also saw a lioness hunting (successfully) up close. That was so incredibly cool! A safari in Amboseli National Park always lasts all day. You are picked up around 06:00 and 12 hours later you are dropped off back at your accommodation.
What should you bring with you on safari in Amboseli National Park?
Going on safari in Amboseli? Then something special awaits you: vast savannahs, herds of elephants and that iconic view of Kilimanjaro. But to really enjoy this adventure, it’s helpful to set out well prepared. The sun can be bright, the mornings chilly, and you don’t want to miss anything along the way. This checklist will help you bring everything you need on your safari in Amboseli:
- Airy clothes and layers
- Cap or hat against the sun
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito spray
- Camera with zoom lens or phone
- Binoculars (often they already have these in the jeep, check that to be sure)
- Sweater or jacket for the morning. It can be really cold in the jeep.
- Your own packed lunch and snacks
2. Motorcycle safari in Amboseli
Besides the “normal” jeep safari, you can also do a motorcycle safari right through the bush with sunset at Amboseli. We did this the day before we went on jeep safari and that was a good choice because the few animals we saw by motorcycle were very special because of this.
Anyway, it is incredibly special and cool to drive through the savannah on a motorcycle. During a motorcycle safari in Amboseli, you see the savanna and the animals in a completely different way. You are much more in nature than when you are in a jeep. Closer to the ground and face to face with the animals.
You don’t go Amboseli National Park, but you stay just outside the official gate in the conservancy area. Still, you’ll see plenty of wildlife here too: zebras, giraffes, gazelles and elephants. It gives a tremendous adrenaline rush when you’re on a motorcycle and see a giant elephant standing 10 meters away.
You sit on the back of an experienced, local guide who knows the bike and the roads well. He knows all about nature and you don’t have to feel unsafe for a second. They remain wild animals, of course, but they don’t get too close and observe their natural behavior.
We booked the motorcycle safari through the owner of the beautiful cabin where we stayed in Amboseli. The owner of the cabin is named Brian and is incredibly helpful. If you book through booking.com you can contact him directly, or WhatsApp him at +254 701 041682 to book the motor safari. It costs $40 per person (not including tip).
3. Hiking in Amboseli: across the border with Tanzania
Together with Brian, we also did a fantastic hike in Amboseli. The hike was 10 kilometers long, straight through nature and forest. We also crossed the border into Tanzania a few times and even had traditional tea in a tea house in Tanzania.
During the walk Brian tells an awful lot: about nature, how people in Kenya grow up and about the environment. He answers all your questions and is honest about the living conditions and how everything works in Kenya. We found it very informative to learn more about Kenya and the locals this way. You can also WhatsAppen Brian for this walk. It costs $35 per person.
4. Hot air balloon ride over Amboseli
As with Maasai Mara, you can also take a hot air balloon ride in Amboseli. This is a once in a lifetime activity, which does come with a hefty price tag. For $450 per person, you can admire Amboseli National Park for an hour from the hot air balloon.
5. Enjoy the views of Kilimanjaro
In Amboseli you don’t want to just be busy, in fact, it is so wonderful to also spend an afternoon doing nothing and enjoying the view of Kilimanjaro. You are only 5 kilometers away from the border with Tanzania, and Kilimanjaro, making this immense mountain beautiful to behold. We spent the afternoon sitting in the sun and reading a book, occasionally distracted by Kilimanjaro’s snowy summit.
The best accommodation near Amboseli
We’ve mentioned it a few times already, but our cabin at Amboseli was really fantastic. The cabin itself is beautiful, all wood and nicely decorated. Besides, it is so special to sit here by yourself and wake up with a coffee and Kilimanjaro in the background. You can also make your own campfire here in the afternoon and it comes with a kitchen where you can cook your own meals.
In fact, in the village of Amboseli, called Oloitokitok, there are (almost) no restaurants. Only a few small stores and the local market where you can get groceries.
What we also really liked about this accommodation in Amboseli was that Brian was really able and willing to help us with everything. He arranged the motorcycle safari, safari in Amboseli and the hike for us. He also took us to the bus station one day before departure to buy tickets for the trip to our next destination in Kenya: Tsavo.
Would you rather stay in a (luxury) lodge near Amboseli National Park or even in the park? Then we can recommend
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