Amboseli Luxury Safari Tours

4.4/5 – 258 Amboseli Reviews

Amboseli National Park is a great choice for a luxury safari in Kenya. The park lies in the heart of Maasailand, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. They’ve been doing safaris here since the 1950s and have learned a thing or two about luxury safaris. A small handful of luxury lodges and tented camps lie within this compact, beautiful, wildlife-rich park, with more not far away, in ideal locations elsewhere in the ecosystem. A luxury safari here involves a captivating mix of guaranteed images. There’s the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, along with the kind of surprise wildlife encounters that occur wherever animals congregate in great numbers.

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7 Questions About Amboseli Luxury Safaris

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Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony is a writer and photographer who co-writes Lonely Planet’s guide to Kenya, writes on the country for magazines and newspapers around the world, and has been exploring the country for more than a decade.
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Why should I choose Amboseli for a luxury trip?

“Amboseli is one of Africa’s most celebrated parks. The small but select collection of luxury accommodation possibilities is among the best in Kenya. There are accommodation options inside the park, and more outstanding choices in the unfenced conservancies around Amboseli. Giraffe, lion, cheetah, hyena, zebra, hippo and so much more are commonly sighted here. But it’s the elephants that really steal the Amboseli show – we know of no place in Africa where you can get this close to wild elephants. Unlike many other Kenyan or Eastern African parks, Amboseli is also a manageable size. In even a few days here, you’ll develop an intimate understanding of the park and almost certainly encounter many of its wildlife stars.”

What is included in an Amboseli luxury safari?

“Most safari trips here will operate on an all-inclusive basis. This means that all meals (three per day, and/or snacks, picnics and the like), game drives, village visits and, of course, accommodation will be included. Anything beyond that will be considered an extra to the quoted price. Extras may include scenic flights to get a really close look at Kilimanjaro; massages and spa treatments; and tips to lodge, camp or safari staff. Also, contrary to what you might think, you’ll be sharing your safari vehicle and guide with other travelers. If you want a private service, you’ll need to pay considerably more. What’s included on your luxury safari to Amboseli will vary from one operator to the next, and there are many packages from which to choose. Always ask any prospective safari operator what is and what is not included in the price they quote you.”

How long do I need for a safari in Amboseli?

“The best of Amboseli can easily be experienced in a couple of days, but longer tours are always a good idea. For a start, the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is often concealed by clouds. The longer you stay, the greater your chances of seeing the mountain in all its glory, and no matter how many days you stay, you’ll never tire of the view. Staying a little longer, even up to a week, also enables you to make the most of your time in the lodge or tented camp, relaxing in the luxurious surrounds. You can also build in time for visits to local Maasai communities or conservation projects. As for the park itself, its compact nature means that staying longer has considerable rewards, among them the chance to see everything more than once.”

What is the difference between Amboseli National Park and a private concession?

“The national park’s boundaries are clearly defined and the park is accessible only through an official gate, and after payment of the park fees. It is owned and run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, a government department, and anyone can enter. In contrast, most of the group ranches or private community conservancies that surround the national park are owned communally and run by Maasai communities. Only overnight guests can visit. Night drives, walking safaris, and off-road driving by guides (not allowed in the national park) are all possible in the conservancies. A small handful have a luxury lodge or tented camp where most of the staff are Maasai and where Maasai culture stands at the heart of everything they do. At least two of these inhabit the downslopes of the Chyulu Hills, between Amboseli, Tsavo West National Park and the Nairobi–Mombasa highway. Some of these concessions also host important conservation projects. These range from successful anti-poaching programs to innovative partnerships between Maasai communities and wildlife protection using traditional Maasai values.”

How does a typical day on an Amboseli luxury trip unfold?

“A typical day on an Amboseli luxury safari involves high levels of comfort and safari staff attending to your every need. A pre-dawn start to the day is a safari tradition, and with good reason. Animals are active and more easily seen at this time. In Amboseli, dawn is also when you’ve an excellent chance of seeing Kilimanjaro’s summit free from clouds. Your morning game drive (usually with blankets to ward off the morning chill) or walk varies in length, depending on what’s happening with the wildlife. By mid to late-morning you’ll be back at your lodge or camp. A more substantial breakfast awaits (your wake-up call is usually accompanied by hot drinks and a breakfast snack). This is followed by time in camp, a large spread for lunch and relaxation in your luxury tent or room. Afternoon tea, sometime after 3 PM, signals that it’s almost time for the afternoon drive in search of wildlife. Your guide will make sure that at sunset you’ll be in a place where you can watch the sun disappear over the horizon while nursing a sundowner (usually an alcoholic drink). Then you’ll be driven back to camp where you’ll have time to shower and dress for dinner. If you’re in a private conservancy, a night drive with spotlight is sometimes a possibility either side of dinner. And most nights on safari end around a campfire, and beneath an extraordinary spray of stars.”

What type of accommodation can I expect?

“Accommodation on your Amboseli luxury safari splits evenly between luxury lodges and equally luxurious tented camps. The tented camps consist of a series of between eight and 12 large, atmospheric tents that rest atop a slightly elevated wooden platform. Each tent has a main room, bathroom and outdoor shower out the back, a writing desk, wooden trunks to evoke safaris past and an open deck area for sitting. The canvas walls are ideal for those who long to hear the night sounds of Africa while sleeping. The lodges have solid walls – perfect for light sleepers – and artful decorations rich in safari chic. Some of the structures combine the best of both worlds, with a mix of canvas and wood.”

How much does an Amboseli luxury safari cost?

“The price of an Amboseli luxury safari varies considerably. As an approximate ceiling, the price of your luxury safari will rarely rise above US$490 per person per day. If you’re traveling on your own (as opposed to traveling on a twin-share basis), expect to pay a single supplement that is rarely less than 75% of the price for two people traveling together. Factors affecting costs include the number of people on your safari, when you plan to visit, and, of course, just how luxurious you want your accommodation to be. Remember also that by choosing to travel outside high season, even by a few days, you can significantly reduce the price of your safari.”

Amboseli Reviews

4.4/5 258 Reviews

Expert

Nana Luckham –

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.

Elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro

3/5

Amboseli hugs the Tanzanian border and makes for one of Kenya’s most dramatic photo opportunities – herds of elephant lumbering past with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. The park is famous for them and groups of up to 100 are not...

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Expert

Brian Jackman –

Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.

A land of Giants

3/5

By East African standards, Amboseli is quite small – a mere 150 square miles of arid plains that become a dustbowl in the dry season months of July to October. And yet this is a land of giants. Amboseli is the park where Kenya’s biggest...

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Anne Berit Myrland –

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 –

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 –

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 –

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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7 Questions About Amboseli Luxury Safaris

Answered by

Anthony Ham

7 Questions About Amboseli Luxury Safaris

Why should I choose Amboseli for a luxury trip?

What is included in an Amboseli luxury safari?

How long do I need for a safari in Amboseli?

What is the difference between Amboseli National Park and a private concession?

How does a typical day on an Amboseli luxury trip unfold?

What type of accommodation can I expect?

How much does an Amboseli luxury safari cost?

Amboseli Reviews

Elephants and Mount Kilimanjaro

A land of Giants