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Amboseli Camping Safaris

4.4/5  –  256 Amboseli Reviews

Amboseli National Park is an amazing place. It offers the best views you’ll find anywhere of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. While admiring this mighty natural wonder with its snowcapped summit, you might also find yourself really close to a huge-tusked elephant. That’s because the park is known for its healthy elephant population, big cats and lots of other wildlife. Amboseli also lies in the heart of Maasai country, raising the possibility of an encounter with traditional Maasai people while you’re here. And this is not a park where you need to spend lots of money to enjoy a brilliant safari experience. All of this makes Amboseli ideally suited to a first-rate camping safari.

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5 Questions About Amboseli Camping Safaris

1. Which campsites are available for an Amboseli safari?
2. What facilities can I expect in the Amboseli campsites?
3. What is the best time of the year for a camping safari in Amboseli?
4. Is a camping safari in Amboseli safe?
5. How much do Amboseli camping tours cost?
 
 

5 Questions About Amboseli Camping Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Which campsites are available for an Amboseli safari?

“There are two national park campsites inside Amboseli National Park. One is close to the center of the park. It doesn’t have much shade, but it is in a terrific location and offers uninterrupted views of Mt Kilimanjaro. The other is near the eastern Kimana Gate. Apart from the official park campsites within the park, there are numerous privately run campgrounds outside Kimana Gate and extending along the road heading east. Some of these combine cheaper camping areas with more expensive safari-tent or lodge-style room accommodation. Others are simply campgrounds. Many of the camping places outside the park also have views of Mt Kilimanjaro. The advantage of staying inside the park is that you’re able to explore the park each morning while others are still queueing to get in. It can, however, be more expensive, as park entry fees are calculated on a 24-hour basis.”

1

What facilities can I expect in the Amboseli campsites?

“The campsites inside the park are run by the park’s authorities, and they have communal showers and toilets (with separate sections for women and men). Facilities are basic, but there is running water, and firepits where you can cook your own meals. As is the case in all Kenyan national parks, there is a fence around the campground. If you’re staying at the campsite just inside Kimana Gate, there’s a bar, and meals might be available. If you’re staying at a privately run campsite that has other types and categories of accommodation, you may be allowed to use their facilities, including any swimming pool, bar or restaurant, although sometimes you may be asked to pay a small fee. Otherwise, you can expect most places to have a shower and toilet block (again, with separate sections for men and women), as well as a kitchen for use by guests.”

2

What is the best time of the year for a camping safari in Amboseli?

“The best time to plan your Amboseli camping trip is June to October. This coincides with the Dry season, and although the park can get busy during these months, it’s also the period when the park’s animals are easiest to see. During the Dry season, animals are found closer to water and can be seen more easily. You can also expect relatively mild temperatures to go with the dry weather. During the Wet season (November to May), many animals leave the park and disperse into the surrounding area where there is lots of water. Although they fall officially within the Wet season, the months of January and most of February are often dry and the wildlife viewing can be excellent. The same can be true in November and into December: these are the months of the short rains, when you’re more likely to experience an afternoon storm than all-day rain. If you’re a birder, the best months to visit Amboseli are from November to April. That’s when the park is filled with migratory bird species that come from Europe and North Africa.”

3

Is a camping safari in Amboseli safe?

“Spending your holiday camping in Amboseli is extremely safe, in our opinion. That holds true as long as you stay in your vehicle at all times when inside the park (except when moving around the camp), and follow park rules and all advice from your guide. There are fences around the campsites, which should keep animals out, and your safari tour operator will make sure that you stay safe. You should always walk with an escort (and a torch or flashlight) when moving around at night. Although it’s less of an issue outside the park, there are animals (including lions, leopards and elephants) roaming free in most areas all across the Greater Amboseli ecosystem. For this reason, the rules that apply for moving around inside the park also apply elsewhere, especially at night.”

4

How much do Amboseli camping tours cost?

“Tours and packages vary from one safari operator to the next. And because many will custom-design a safari depending on your needs, prices will inevitably vary for this reason as well. As a general guide, however, an Amboseli camping safari will start at around US$150 per person per day. This daily cost estimate includes the daily park entrance fee of US$60/35 per adult/child per day, as well as accommodation (such as camping fees and equipment), guide, driver, vehicle, food, water and two daily game drives around the park. You might find that prices drop a little outside of the high-season months (which apply from December to March and from July to October). That doesn’t leave many months when lower prices apply, and prices at the budget camping end of the scale don’t vary much from one season to the next. But it could make a small difference.”

5

Amboseli Reviews

4.4/5 256 Reviews
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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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...

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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