Home to some of Kenya’s most iconic scenes, Amboseli is renowned for some of the densest populations of elephant in East Africa — and its presence of the last Super Tusker elephants — often seen marching single file across the dusty cracked earth. Presided over by the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, this is truly a land of giants.
The greater Amboseli area offers a unique tapestry of habitats, from dusty plains to misty cloud forests, bountiful wetlands to savanna and woodlands; all with the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. The rich variety of birdlife and abundance of animals offer extraordinary sightings. The communities in and around Amboseli are well known for helping to conserve this spectacular diversity through partnerships with national parks and community-run conservancies — Kimana Sanctuary, home to Angama Amboseli, being one such example.
Located in Southern Kenya, Amboseli is easily accessible from Nairobi, the Maasai Mara and the Kenyan coast. A visit to Amboseli offers a remarkable experience of distinctive landscapes and is a wonderful complement to the other safari areas of Kenya.
The greater Amboseli ecosystem is vast — some 8,000km2 — with Amboseli National Park a small, yet key part. Also known as the Amboseli-Tsavo-Kilimanjaro ecosystem, and accorded a UNESCO Biosphere status, this enormous area includes the Chyulu Hills, Tsavo East and Tsavo West as well as many conservancies, including Kimana Sanctuary. Although a semi-arid area, the variety of landscapes provides a diversity of wildlife to be enjoyed.
Kimana Sanctuary is a 5,700-acre conservancy the first community-owned conservancy in Kenya. The name means ‘to stay a while’, an apt name for a place abounding in wildlife, both resident and passing through.
To a large extent, this density is thanks to year-round access to water that nourishes the area, from woodland and Fever Tree Forests to savanna and marsh — giving it its verdant colouring and making it a haven for a multitude of animal and bird species.
Aside from the Maasai Mara, the 392km2 Amboseli National Park is arguably the most popular safari destination in Kenya. While its name stems from the Maa word ‘empusel’ — meaning ‘salty, dusty place’ — areas of sparse vegetation and dusty volcanic soil are interspersed with savanna, woodland and large, species-rich marshes and lakes.
Lake Amboseli is a misnomer, as it is usually dry except when the rains are heavy — that is when it fills with alkaline water, just right for thousands of flamingos to enjoy.
Tsavo East and West National Parks combined constitute one of the largest protected areas in Kenya. This vast area of the greater Amboseli ecosystem is painted in bright red dust — even its elephants carry the same hue.
The colour contrasts are striking, as are the different environs: mountains; ancient, black volcanic lava; green grasslands and plains and life-supporting, crystal-clear springs. Wildlife is no less fascinating, from long-necked gerenuk antelope to cobalt-blue plumed vulturine guineafowl.
The Chyulu Hills link the wildlife-rich plains of Amboseli with Tsavo and are protected by a seldom-visited National Park — offering a place a little off the beaten track. Created by a turbulent volcanic past (the most recent eruptions occurring less than 200 years ago), the hills rise some 7000 ft or 2km at their highest point, forcing moisture-rich coastal air to rise and condense.
The result is an unexpected chain of clouds that create lush and secretive oases in a sea of aridity.
Kimana Sanctuary is a 5,700-acre conservancy the first community-owned conservancy in Kenya. The name means ‘to stay a while’, an apt name for a place abounding in wildlife, both resident and passing through.
To a large extent, this density is thanks to year-round access to water that nourishes the area, from woodland and Fever Tree Forests to savanna and marsh — giving it its verdant colouring and making it a haven for a multitude of animal and bird species.
Aside from the Maasai Mara, the 392km2 Amboseli National Park is arguably the most popular safari destination in Kenya. While its name stems from the Maa word ‘empusel’ — meaning ‘salty, dusty place’ — areas of sparse vegetation and dusty volcanic soil are interspersed with savanna, woodland and large, species-rich marshes and lakes.
Lake Amboseli is a misnomer, as it is usually dry except when the rains are heavy — that is when it fills with alkaline water, just right for thousands of flamingos to enjoy.
Tsavo East and West National Parks combined constitute one of the largest protected areas in Kenya. This vast area of the greater Amboseli ecosystem is painted in bright red dust — even its elephants carry the same hue.
The colour contrasts are striking, as are the different environs: mountains; ancient, black volcanic lava; green grasslands and plains and life-supporting, crystal-clear springs. Wildlife is no less fascinating, from long-necked gerenuk antelope to cobalt-blue plumed vulturine guineafowl.
The Chyulu Hills link the wildlife-rich plains of Amboseli with Tsavo and are protected by a seldom-visited National Park — offering a place a little off the beaten track. Created by a turbulent volcanic past (the most recent eruptions occurring less than 200 years ago), the hills rise some 7000 ft or 2km at their highest point, forcing moisture-rich coastal air to rise and condense.
The result is an unexpected chain of clouds that create lush and secretive oases in a sea of aridity.
There are no visa requirements for any traveller visiting Kenya. To enter Kenya you will need:
–An approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). All foreign travellers, including infants and children, must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) prior to travel to Kenya
–The eTA must be applied for through the online portal (https://etakenya.go.ke). Your eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance
–An eTA fee is applicable for many nationalities including the US and UK
–An eTA is not required if you have a valid East African Tourist Visa (EATV) for travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
–A valid passport for at least six months from the date of entry, recommended with at least two blank pages (temporary passports will not be accepted)
–Passport holders from the following EAC countries are exempted from applying for an eTA: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entry to Kenya.
–Travellers arriving from an endemic country will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate for all travellers older than one year
–Vaccinations need to be administered 10 days or more prior to travel, and the certificate will need to be provided as proof. Depending on your onward travel plans, or country of residence, you may also be required to have a yellow fever certificate for entry
–Yellow fever certificates now have a lifetime validity
Kenya is classified as a malaria area. We recommend that travellers contact their local medical clinic for professional advice, and that they obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including health cover, prior to travelling. Insect repellent is provided at all Angama properties and at most lodges in the region, please confirm for your specific itinerary.
–All guests staying at Angama properties are covered for Emergency Medical Evacuation by air to a Nairobi hospital — from there onwards all medical costs are for the traveller’s own expense
–We recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered for the unexpected. The insurance should include coverage for trip delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation, emergency medical and emergency evacuation/repatriation, as well as baggage delay and loss
Daily scheduled flights from Nairobi, the Maasai Mara and Kenya’s coast into Amboseli are available. The airfield in Amboseli National Park and most of the conservancy’s airstrips, such as Kimana Sanctuary, welcome private charters as well as scheduled flights. Many of the properties in the area, including Angama Amboseli, can also be accessed via a three-to-four-hour drive by paved road from Nairobi.
Its equatorial location in East Africa means Amboseli enjoys a warm and temperate climate, making it an all year round safari destination. The months of March to May experience the most amount of rainfall, as well as November to mid-December, with characteristic brief afternoon thundershowers. Panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro can be especially clear over this season. During the dry season (from June to October) there is little to no rain and the low vegetation makes for easy wildlife spotting. Summer months are October to April with temperatures of min 17°C/62°F and max 30°C/86°F; Winter is usually from May to September with temperatures of min 14°C/57°F and max 24°C/75°C.
Our travel team will be happy to arrange these experiences and more for your time in Amboseli.
