A car stopped on an african road in the amboseli park under mount Kilimanjaro while a giraffe is crossing the road

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Amboseli National Park

Top choice in Kenya


Amboseli belongs in the elite of Kenya’s national parks, and it’s easy to see why. Its signature attraction is the sight of hundreds of big-tusked elephants set against the backdrop of Africa’s best views of Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m). Africa’s highest peak broods over the southern boundary of the park, and while cloud cover can render the mountain’s massive bulk invisible for much of the day, you’ll be rewarded with stunning vistas when the weather clears, usually at dawn or dusk.

Apart from guaranteed elephant sightings, you’ll also see wildebeest and zebras, and you’ve a reasonable chance of spotting lions and hyenas. The park is also home to over 370 bird species. And with chances to delve a little deeper into the world of wildlife conservation, it all adds up to one of Kenya’s premier wildlife experiences.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kenya attractions

1. Elephant Research Camp

1.03 MILES

The elephants of Amboseli are among the most studied in the world, thanks largely to the work of Dr Cynthia Moss, whose books include The Amboseli…

2. Normatior (Observation Hill)

2.9 MILES

This pyramid-shaped hill is one of the only places in the park where you can get out and walk. The summit provides an ideal lookout from which to…

3. Sinet Delta

4.03 MILES

From Normatior (Observation Hill), the northern route runs across the Sinet Delta, which is an excellent place for birdwatching. The vegetation is thicker…

4. Lake Amboseli

7.82 MILES

Away to the northwest from the delta, this ‘lake’ occupies a large swathe of the park, but it’s usually bone dry, except after extended rains. At other…

5. Maasai Cattle Market

19.71 MILES

If you're in the Amboseli area on a Tuesday, consider stopping in the town of Kimana (along the paved road between Emali and Oloitokitok) for its weekly…

6. Enduimet Wildlife Management Area

21.09 MILES

You may never even be aware of its existence (there are no signs or entry fees), but Enduimet WMA is a quiet success story in protecting the wildlife…

7. Mt Kilimanjaro National Park

26.71 MILES

Since its official opening in 1977, Mt Kilimanjaro National Park has become one of Tanzania’s most visited parks. Unlike the other northern parks, this…