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3-Day Amboseli Safari Tours

4.4/5  –  256 Amboseli Reviews

Three days in Amboseli National Park is a popular choice for a safari. Amboseli NP is one of Africa’s bucket-list destinations. And for good reason: this is the location of the quintessential African image of a huge herd of elephants walking in front of the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro. While elephants are the main attraction, there is plenty of other wildlife too. The open terrain makes for easy viewing, and the central wetlands make the park an excellent birding hot spot too. Amboseli NP is often incorporated into a longer Kenyan safari covering several parks and reserves, but it is also a suitable destination for a short trip. The park’s relatively small size makes it easy to explore on a 3-day tour.

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6 Questions About 3-Day Amboseli Safaris

1. What can I expect from a 3-day safari in Amboseli?
2. Is a road safari or fly-in safari a better choice?
3. What kind of accommodations can I expect?
4. Which animals am I likely to see?
5. How much will this safari cost?
6. Is a 3-day safari in Amboseli recommended as a short bush break from Nairobi?
 
 

6 Questions About 3-Day Amboseli Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

What can I expect from a 3-day safari in Amboseli?

“You’re in for an experience of a lifetime when going on a 3-day tour in Amboseli NP. Even when you’re out of the city for just 3 days, you’ll get a chance to really get away from it all. Leaving your hotel after breakfast, you’ll get to the park mid-morning. This gives you some time to relax and enjoy lunch before heading out on your first afternoon game drive. Seeing animals walk across the dusty plains at sunset is a very special scene. After a lovely dinner, you might want to turn in early as you’ll be out looking for animals again at sunrise. Early morning is a glorious time in Amboseli. With luck you’ll see the peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro glisten in the first rays of sunshine. You’ll get a nice break in the middle of the day to enjoy at the lodge or campsite before heading out again in the afternoon. On a 3-day safari in Amboseli, you’ll get a chance to explore different areas of the park. You’ll look for big elephant herds, buffalo, zebras, antelopes and gazelles, and hopefully you’ll see some predators too. On your last morning you can head out again to see what’s around, or you might prefer to stay in with a cup of coffee to watch the sunrise on Africa’s highest peak. Either way, after breakfast you’ll start your journey back to Nairobi. You can also book a 3-day Amboseli safari from Mombasa. This itinerary usually includes a night in Tsavo East or Tsavo West National Parks en route to Amboseli.”

1

Is a road safari or fly-in safari a better choice?

“There are pros and cons to consider when choosing between a road or fly-in safari to Amboseli NP. Either way, Amboseli is very accessible from Nairobi. The distance is about 200km/124mi on a good road and the driving time is about four hours. When driving from Nairobi, you get to the park before lunch time. There are plenty of budget and mid-range tours offering this popular 3-day Amboseli NP road safari. A road trip gives you a chance to get a glimpse of ordinary Kenyan village life as you drive past settlements along the way. However, if you prefer to maximize your time in the park and you don’t mind the additional cost, a fly-in safari is an attractive option too. There are daily flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the park’s airstrip. Coming from Mombasa, the drive to Amboseli takes about seven hours. Regular flights from Mombasa make a 3-day Amboseli safari from the coastal resorts a more attractive option.”

2

What kind of accommodations can I expect?

“Amboseli NP has several accommodations options in and near the park. Adventurous travelers might enjoy a camping safari. The campsites inside the park are at fantastic locations, but the private campsites outside the park generally have better facilities. There is also a variety of hotels to choose from. Most accommodations options are located outside the Kimana Gate. There are some great mid-range options, as well as several budget and luxury establishments. In the mid-range category, you have a choice between a tented camp or a simple lodge. Both offer all you need for a comfortable stay. Whichever accommodations you choose, you most likely won’t be there much as you’ll try to spend most of your time out in the bush. Staying inside the park, however, does mean you’ll be in the best location to start your game drives. The options inside the park are limited to campsites, two lodges and a luxury tented camp.”

3

Which animals am I likely to see?

“Amboseli NP is one of Kenya’s top wildlife-viewing destinations. Big elephant herds can be seen crossing the dusty plains to spend most of the day in the central wetland area. Solitary males often steal the show with their relaxed nature and unusually big tusks. You’ll see plenty of other animals too. You might spot buffalo wallowing during the heat of the day, or giraffes in the shade of an acacia tree, chewing on their favorite food. Zebras, wildebeest and gazelles dot the open plains, but predators are a bit harder to spot. Keep your eyes peeled for that special sighting: lions feeding on a kill, a cheetah running at incredible speed across the savannah or spending time at spotted hyena den watching the clan’s complex social interactions.”

4

How much will this safari cost?

“A mid-range tour, using a mid-range tented camp or lodge, costs between US$500 and US$1,000 per person. Several factors determine the cost of a 3-day Amboseli NP safari. Operators use different vehicles and the quality of the guiding can vary as well. However, the biggest difference in tour prices is determined by the level of accommodations. Private tours are most popular, but you might be able to economize by joining a group tour. If your timing is flexible, you could consider traveling in the low season when visitor numbers are low and prices favorable. Most people opt for a road safari, but luxury fly-in packages are available too. Always get a few quotations to compare and don’t forget to check out the reviews of the operators on SafariBookings; it’s always good to read about other people’s experiences.”

5

Is a 3-day safari in Amboseli recommended as a short bush break from Nairobi?

“If you need to get away for a couple of nights from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi, a trip to Amboseli NP is the perfect choice. You don’t need to travel far from the capital city of Kenya to be in the wild. Amboseli, located about 200km/124mi south of Nairobi, is around four hours away by car. If you begin your journey early, you’ll get there before lunch. You’ll be able to rest for a couple of hours before going out on your first afternoon game drive. On a 3-day/2-night safari, you’ll have the luxury of a full day in the park and plenty of time to explore. Regular flights between Nairobi/Mombasa and the park make Amboseli even more attractive for a quick getaway.”

6

Amboseli Reviews

4.4/5 256 Reviews
Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Guaranteed wildlife-viewing at the foot of Kilimanjaro
5/5

Amboseli has instant likeability and although it can be crowded with game-viewing vehicles, there are plenty of good reasons for its popularity. For a start, it’s a straightforward drive from Nairobi via the newish C102 road – the...

Full Review

Expert
Mark Eveleigh  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

One of Kenya’s most picturesque parks with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro
5/5

I creaked into Amboseli after a frantic break-neck drive with the military convoy from Tsavo in a near-dead Suzuki Vitara hire-car. I had a soldier riding with me and the cartridge of his AK47 wore a hole through the dashboard because of...

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Anne Berit Myrland  –  
Norway NO
Reviewed: Oct 27, 2024
4/5

We stayed at Manjaro Tented Camps. This is highly recommended and basically did our whole stay here. Otherwise being close to Kilimanjaro is great, but it's very dry and not very beautiful otherwise. Looots of elephants, which was cool.

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Shirley Rogers  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Jul 3, 2024
5/5

Amboseli is stunningly beautiful and very different from other national parks. We witnessed the predators and prey animals returning after the rains. Seeing Mount Kilimanjaro is wonderful. This was my third visit and I will go again next...

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Dulanjanee Prakash  –  
Sri Lanka LK
Reviewed: Jun 20, 2024
5/5

Amboseli National Park is an outstanding safari destination, offering stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, abundant wildlife including large elephant herds, and diverse ecosystems. Its unique landscape and excellent game viewing...

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Ilunia  –  
Estonia EE
Reviewed: May 6, 2024
5/5

(we went in April)
It was flooded a bit so the big cats were hiding.
Lots of elephants in big herds.
Lots of birds.
The early morning walk was 10 USD extra, but we did not do it, as we wanted to enjoy the sunrise by ourselves.

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All 256 Amboseli Reviews