Amboseli, two days beneath Kilimanjaro

An Amboseli safari from Nairobi is the shortest trip in Kenya that still feels like a proper safari. Four hours on good tarmac, a night in the park, and two game drives among the biggest elephants left in East Africa, with Kilimanjaro behind them when the cloud lifts.

What you see on an Amboseli safari from Nairobi

Amboseli is small, 392 square kilometres, and almost flat. That is the point: there is nowhere for anything to hide.

• Elephants, and the famous ones. Families here have been followed since 1972 by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, and several of the older bulls carry tusks you will not see anywhere else in Kenya.
• The swamps. Fed by rain that fell on Kilimanjaro and travelled underground, they stay green in the driest month and pull in elephant, buffalo, hippo and a great many birds.
• Big cats, in smaller numbers. Lion and cheetah are both resident. Spotted hyena are common and often seen at dawn.
• More than 400 bird species, including lesser flamingo on the pans after rain.

There are no rhino in Amboseli. If you want the full big five, pair this trip with Lake Nakuru or Ol Pejeta.

How the two days run

Day one. We collect you in Nairobi early and take the Namanga road, crossing into Kajiado county and reaching the park around midday. Lunch at the lodge, then an afternoon game drive through the swamps as the light drops and the elephants come down to drink.

Day two. Out at first light, which is when the mountain is usually clear and the cats are still moving. Observation Hill gives you the whole basin in one view. Breakfast, then back to Nairobi by mid-afternoon.

Where you stay

A full-board lodge inside or on the edge of the park, Amboseli Sopa Lodge or similar, with a pool, a proper dinner and a short drive to the gate. Camps and tented options are available if you would rather be under canvas; tell us and we will quote both.

When to go

June to October and January to February are dry, and the game concentrates around the swamps. The long rains from March to May turn the basin green, drop the prices and bring the migrant birds; the tracks stay passable in a 4x4. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Kenya sets out the trade-offs.

What it costs

From $520 per person sharing, or KES 48,000 for Kenyan residents and citizens, with park fees already in the price. Every price on this page includes park entry fees, transport in a pop-top 4x4 with a guaranteed window seat, and a professional driver-guide who stays with you for the whole trip. Our guides are the same people year after year, which is why they know where the cats were yesterday.

Send a booking request with your dates and we will come back with availability, a firm price and an honest view of the month you have picked. Nothing is charged on this website.

Frequently asked questions

Is two days enough for Amboseli?

Yes, and it is the one park where two days genuinely works. The drive is four hours on tarmac and the park is small enough to cover properly in two game drives.

Can I see Kilimanjaro from Amboseli?

Most days, early and late. The mountain sits over the border in Tanzania and the classic view is from the Kenyan side. Cloud usually closes in by mid-morning.

What is the difference between Amboseli and the Masai Mara?

Amboseli is closer, cheaper and better for elephants and mountain views. The Mara is bigger, has far more predators, and hosts the migration from July to October. Our comparison of the two goes through it properly.

Do I need a 4x4 in Amboseli?

Yes. The park is dusty and the inner tracks are rough, and a pop-top roof is what lets you stand up to watch and photograph. That is what we send.