Safari Overview
This 3 days Amboseli budget safari starts and ends in Nairobi and is designed for travellers who want to experience one of Kenya's most beautiful wildlife parks without spending too much on accommodation. You will enjoy game drives across Amboseli, see large herds of African elephants and have the chance to enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli National Park is best known for its elephants, open plains, wetlands and the dramatic Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop. The park has a mix of grasslands, acacia woodland, thorn bush and swamps, which support a wide range of wildlife and birdlife.
This is a budget safari, so the focus is on the wildlife experience rather than luxury facilities. Depending on availability, accommodation is provided in a comfortable budget camp or lodge. Transport can be by safari van or 4×4 vehicle depending on the final group arrangement, with a professional safari guide accompanying you.
On the final day, you have a morning game drive (optional) before leaving Amboseli and driving back to Nairobi. If your flight time allows, we can arrange optional Nairobi activities such as the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum or Carnivore Restaurant before your final airport drop-off.
Best Time to Visit
June to October is one of the best periods for an Amboseli safari. The weather is generally dry, wildlife is easier to spot and animals often gather around the park's wetlands and water sources.
January to February is another good period for game viewing. The weather is usually dry and the grass can be shorter, making it easier to spot wildlife across the open plains.
March to May brings the long rains. The landscape becomes greener and beautiful, and there are fewer visitors. Some roads can become muddy after heavy rain.
November to December brings the shorter rains. The park becomes greener, birdlife is good and it can be a quieter time to visit.
Animals You Can Expect to See
Large Wildlife
- ✓ Elephant
- ✓ Lion
- ✓ Buffalo
- ✓ Leopard
- ✓ Cheetah
Amboseli Wildlife
- ✓ Giraffe
- ✓ Zebra
- ✓ Wildebeest
- ✓ Hippo
- ✓ Hyena & antelope
Birdlife
- ✓ Flamingos
- ✓ Eagles
- ✓ Secretary birds
- ✓ Ostrich
- ✓ Many smaller birds
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive towards Amboseli National Park. The journey normally takes around 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and your accommodation location. As you leave Nairobi, the landscape gradually changes from the busy city to open countryside and the plains around the Amboseli ecosystem.
Continue towards Amboseli and arrive around lunchtime. After checking in and having lunch, take some time to rest before heading out for your first afternoon game drive.
Amboseli is famous for its large elephant herds, and you may also see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, lion, cheetah and other wildlife. On clear days, you may also get your first views of Mount Kilimanjaro rising behind the park.
Continue the game drive into the late afternoon before returning to your budget camp or lodge for dinner and an evening around the camp.
Full Day Game Drive — Amboseli National Park
Wake up early for breakfast before setting out for a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park. The early morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing, and it can also give you a better chance of seeing Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up around the mountain.
Explore the open plains and wetlands of Amboseli while looking for the park's famous elephant herds. Your guide will also look for lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah and other wildlife. The park's different habitats mean that the scenery can change as you move from open grasslands towards the swamps.
Around midday, stop for a picnic lunch inside the park at a designated safe area. This allows you to spend more time exploring instead of returning to the camp for lunch. After lunch, continue with the afternoon game drive and explore another part of the park.
The afternoon can be a good time to look around the wetlands where wildlife gathers. You may see elephants close to the water, hippos in suitable areas and a variety of birds around the swamps. Your guide will choose the areas to explore depending on wildlife activity and road conditions.
Continue the game drive until late afternoon before returning to your camp or lodge. Enjoy dinner and relax after a full day in the Amboseli wilderness.
Morning Game Drive, Amboseli to Nairobi & Optional Nairobi Activities
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before your final morning game drive in Amboseli (optional). This is your last opportunity to look for elephants and other wildlife before leaving the park. The early hours can also offer some of the best opportunities for clear views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Look for animals you may have missed on the previous days, including elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and predators. After the game drive, return to the camp for lunch and check out.
Begin the drive back to Nairobi, normally taking around 4 to 5 hours. Depending on your flight time, there may be enough time to enjoy an optional Nairobi experience before your airport transfer.
Optional Nairobi Experiences Before Your Flight
If your flight is later in the evening, we can arrange one or more optional Nairobi activities before taking you to the airport. Choose from the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Karen Blixen Museum or lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. The exact activities depend on your flight time and the day's traffic.
- ✓ City Tour — explore Nairobi's highlights
- ✓ Giraffe Centre — see and feed Rothschild's giraffes
- ✓ Sheldrick Wildlife Trust — visit the elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre
- ✓ Karen Blixen Museum — visit the former home of the author of Out of Africa
- ✓ Carnivore Restaurant — enjoy lunch before heading to the airport
After your chosen Nairobi activity or lunch, continue to the airport for your departure flight. We recommend allowing enough time for traffic and airport check-in, especially for international flights.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Nairobi pickup and final airport drop-off
- 2 nights budget camp or lodge accommodation
- All meals — full board during the safari
- All scheduled game drives in Amboseli National Park
- Safari transport by safari van or 4×4 vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Amboseli National Park fees
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Picnic lunch during the full-day game drive
- 24/7 support from Wild Safaris & Travel
Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya eTA / visa fees
- Travel & medical insurance
- Giraffe Centre visit
- Sheldrick Wildlife Trust visit
- Karen Blixen Museum visit
- Lunch at Carnivore Restaurant
- Alcoholic & premium beverages
- Gratuities for guide & lodge staff
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
The best times are generally June to October and January to February. These months are usually drier and wildlife is easier to spot around the park's wetlands and water sources. Amboseli can also be visited during the rainy seasons when the landscape is greener and there are fewer visitors.
Amboseli is especially famous for its large elephant herds. You can also look for lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena and antelope, along with many bird species. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Amboseli offers excellent game viewing.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the famous backdrop of Amboseli National Park. On clear days, the mountain can be seen from different parts of the park, especially during the early morning. Visibility depends on weather and cloud cover, so we cannot guarantee a clear view.
Yes. This safari is designed for travellers who want to experience Amboseli at a lower cost. It uses comfortable budget accommodation and practical safari transport while keeping the main focus on game drives, elephants and the scenery of the park.
The safari uses comfortable budget camps or lodges in the Amboseli area. Accommodation is simple, clean and suitable for travellers who want to keep the overall safari cost down while still having a comfortable place to stay.
The drive normally takes around 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic, road conditions and where you are staying in the Amboseli area. The journey takes you from Nairobi towards the southern Kenya countryside and the Amboseli ecosystem.
Yes. If your flight is later in the day, we can arrange optional visits to the Giraffe Centre, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or Karen Blixen Museum. You can also stop for lunch at Carnivore Restaurant. The activities depend on your flight time, traffic and the amount of time available before airport check-in.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applied for online before travel. We guide all clients through the process after booking.