3D / 2N
Amboseli National Park
3-Day Amboseli Safari
Two nights in Amboseli, Kenya's elephant country beneath Kilimanjaro: four game drives, full board and park fees included, departing Mombasa or Nairobi.
- 3 days · 2 nights
- From Mombasa or Nairobi
- Kilimanjaro views
Overview
Amboseli is where you get the photograph everyone wants: a line of elephants crossing the plain with the snow cap of Kilimanjaro floating above them. The mountain stands across the border in Tanzania, but the views belong to Amboseli, and they are clearest at dawn and in the late afternoon, which is exactly when your game drives run.
The park is compact and open, so wildlife is easy to see. Its swamps, fed by underground water from Kilimanjaro, stay green when the surrounding plains are dust, and they pull in big herds of elephant, buffalo, hippo and waterbirds. Lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest share the grassland, and the climb up Observation Hill gives you the whole park laid out below.
How the three days work
You leave early on Day 1, arrive for lunch and head out on an afternoon drive. Day 2 is the full day, with morning and afternoon drives and a rest at camp in the midday heat. On Day 3 you take a final sunrise drive before breakfast and the road home.
From Nairobi the drive is about four to five hours. From Mombasa it is longer, roughly six to seven hours, so coast departures start at first light.
- Pop-up-roof safari van with pop-up roof and driver-guide
- 2 nights' accommodation with all meals
- Park fees, game drives and drinking water included
- Elephant herds with Kilimanjaro as the backdrop
- Four game drives timed for the clearest mountain views
- Swamps busy with hippo, buffalo and waterbirds
- Panoramic views from Observation Hill
- Departures from both Mombasa and Nairobi
Day by day
- Day 1
Mombasa or Nairobi → Amboseli
Nairobi departures leave at around 07:00 and Mombasa departures at around 06:00, since the coast road is the longer drive. Expect to reach your accommodation for lunch, around midday from Nairobi and early afternoon from Mombasa. After settling in, your first game drive starts at about 16:00, when the heat eases and Kilimanjaro often clears. Return to camp around sunset for dinner and overnight.
- Day 2
Full day in Amboseli
An early morning drive gives you the best chance of seeing Kilimanjaro without cloud, with elephants moving out of the swamps to feed. Return for breakfast or take it in the park, then visit Observation Hill for views across the swamps and the dry lake bed. Rest through the midday heat at camp after lunch. The afternoon drive runs from about 15:30 until the park closes at dusk. Dinner and overnight.
- Day 3
Amboseli → Mombasa or Nairobi
Set out at first light for a last game drive, when predators are most active and the mountain is usually clear. Return for breakfast, check out and start the drive home at around 09:30. You should reach Nairobi in the early to mid-afternoon and Mombasa in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic. Drop-off at your hotel or home within the city.
What's included
Included
- Transport in a pop-up-roof safari van with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver-guide
- 2 nights' accommodation
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3
- Amboseli National Park entry fees
- Game drives as per the itinerary
- Drinking water during game drives
Not included
- Maasai village visits and other optional activities
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Rates
| Option | Kenya resident (KES) | Non-resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lodge/tented camp | 34,500 | 540 |
| Mid-range | 47,500 | 760 |
| Upper | 60,000 | 980 |
Per person sharing a double or twin room. Under 5 free park entry. Citizen child (5-17) KES 750/day; non-resident child USD 45. 3-11 sharing with two adults 75%; 12+ adult.
Good to know
- Kilimanjaro is often hidden by cloud from late morning, so the early and late drives are the ones to be awake for.
- Amboseli is dry and dusty. Bring sunglasses, a scarf or buff, sunscreen and a cover for your camera.
- Park fees are charged per person per day, with separate rates for citizens, residents and non-residents. Carry your ID or alien card for resident rates.
- Kenya bans single-use plastic bottles and bags in national parks, so bring a refillable water bottle.
- Prices are for departures from Nairobi. Leaving from Mombasa adds about KES 5,000 per person for the longer drive.
Questions about this trip
Will I definitely see Kilimanjaro?
Nobody can promise it, because the mountain makes its own weather. Your chances are best just after sunrise and in the late afternoon, which is why the game drives are timed for those hours. The drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, tend to give the clearest views, but cloud can roll in at any time of year.
How long is the drive from Mombasa to Amboseli?
Plan on roughly six to seven hours, including a comfort stop, which is why Mombasa departures leave at around 06:00. From Nairobi the drive is about four to five hours. Road works, traffic and gate formalities can change these times, and your driver-guide will keep you updated on the way.
Can I see the Big Five in Amboseli?
Amboseli is best known for elephants, and you will also usually see buffalo and often lion. Leopard sightings are rare here, and rhino are not part of a typical Amboseli game drive. If ticking off all five matters to you, ask us about combining Amboseli with the Maasai Mara or Tsavo.
What is the best time of year to visit Amboseli?
The dry seasons, roughly June to October and January to February, are best for game viewing because animals gather around the swamps. The green seasons after the rains bring fewer visitors, newborn animals and lush scenery, though tracks can be muddy. The long rains usually fall around April and May.
What is included in the meals?
The safari is on full board, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner, starting with lunch on arrival day and ending with breakfast on departure day. On full-day drives your accommodation may pack breakfast or lunch to eat in the park. Soft drinks, alcohol and other extras from the bar are paid separately.
3-Day Amboseli Safari
Request to book
Tell us when and who's travelling. We check availability, then send a written quote with the total, the deposit and the due dates. Nothing to pay until you're happy with it.
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