"Home to some of Africa’s most impressively-proportioned tuskers, Amboseli’s mosaic of acacia woodland, lightly vegetated plains and spring-fed marshes also supports an abundance of other ungulates such as wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, giraffe and buffalo. The park’s scenic piece de resistance is the spectacular snow-capped dome of Kilimanjaro, which towers a full 5km above the southern horizon.”
- Philip Briggs
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is one of East Africa’s most scenic national parks. It might not seem that way in the unflattering harsh midday light. But come dusk, when the dying sun is refracted through a suspension of fine dust, kicked up by the clattering hooves of thousands of ungulates, the sky is bathed in mesmerising hues of orange and red. It is also at dusk, or immediately after dawn, that the clouds on the southern horizon typically dissipate to reveal the breathtaking 5,891m peak of Kilimanjaro, which actually lies across the border in Tanzania, but is seen to best advantage from the plains of Amboseli.
Kilimanjaro’s relationship with Amboseli isn’t merely ornamental. The extinct volcano has been a defining influence on the park’s ecology. The flat plains of Amboseli comprises a layer of grey saline ash deposited during the volatile infancy of Africa’s highest mountain. And the park’s abundant marshes – home to a bewildering diversity of aquatic birds – are fed by subterranean streams whose primary source is molten snow and spring water from Kilimanjaro’s upper slopes.
If ever you’ve seen one of those iconic pictures of elephants marching below snow-capped Kilimanjaro, it was taken at Amboseli. These are possibly the most habituated tuskers in East Africa, thanks to the ongoing work of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project founded by Dr Cynthia Moss in 1975. Whether it’s a hulking great elephant bull foraging shoulder deep in the marsh, or a matriarch and newborn walking tail-in-trunk across the dusty plain, the elephant action at Amboseli is invariably magnificent.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
DRY SEASON
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains. While the wildlife may have dispersed a little after the ‘short rains’ there will be plenty to spot! Another bonus is that the rainfall of November and December should have cleared much of the dust in the air, making views of Mount Kilimanjaro that bit more spectacular.
Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A brief drier interlude before the more intense long rains. While the wildlife may have dispersed a little after the ‘short rains’ there will be plenty to spot! Another bonus is that the rainfall of November and December should have cleared much of the dust in the air, making views of Mount Kilimanjaro that bit more spectacular.
Migratory birds will also be present, offering great bird watching opportunities.
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
TRANSITION FROM DRY TO WET SEASON
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side rates are at their cheapest and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
WET SEASON - 'LONG RAINS'
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side rates are at their cheapest and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
WET SEASON - 'LONG RAINS'
The exact start and end of the rains are always a little uncertain, but generally, this period is the wettest time of the year. This wet season is also often characterised by overcast skies and consecutive days of rain. As a consequence of the rainfall roads can be hard to navigate and wildlife a little harder to spot. On the plus side rates are at their cheapest and visitor numbers to the park are incredibly low, offering a more private safari experience for those who don’t mind taking their chances!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. Also, one of the cooler periods, which makes midday temperatures a little more pleasant. The rains earlier in the year should also have cleared a lot of dust in the sky, making this a great time to see Mount Kilimanjaro.
As the land begins to dry up the wildlife will become more concentrated around remaining water sources, making it that bit easier to spot!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. Also, one of the cooler periods, which makes midday temperatures a little more pleasant. The rains earlier in the year should also have cleared a lot of dust in the sky, making this a great time to see Mount Kilimanjaro.
As the land begins to dry up the wildlife will become more concentrated around remaining water sources, making it that bit easier to spot!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. Temperatures will be on the rise until the ‘short rains’ arrive in November.
As the land continues to dry the wildlife will become more concentrated around remaining water sources, significantly improving the odds of good sightings. Vegetation will also be much thinner towards the end of the dry season, which will again improve the odds of having some great sightings!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. Temperatures will be on the rise until the ‘short rains’ arrive in November.
As the land continues to dry the wildlife will become more concentrated around remaining water sources, significantly improving the odds of good sightings. Vegetation will also be much thinner towards the end of the dry season, which will again improve the odds of having some great sightings!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
DRY SEASON
A more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. Temperatures will be on the rise until the ‘short rains’ arrive in November.
As the land continues to dry the wildlife will become more concentrated around remaining water sources, significantly improving the odds of good sightings. Vegetation will also be much thinner towards the end of the dry season, which will again improve the odds of having some great sightings!
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
WET SEASON - 'SHORT RAINS'
A rather unpredictable time of the year with the occasional heavy shower or thunderstorm, but usually plenty of sunshine in between. While technically the wet season the rains are not as intense during this period as the ‘long rains’, it can therefore still be a great time to visit. Generally, the wildlife numbers in Amboseli are so strong that regardless of the weather it is still likely that you will see a lot in the way of wildlife.
Migratory birds will start arriving, offering potentially great bird watching opportunities.
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
WET SEASON - 'SHORT RAINS'
A rather unpredictable time of the year with the occasional heavy shower or thunderstorm, but usually plenty of sunshine in between. While technically the wet season the rains are not as intense during this period as the ‘long rains’, it can therefore still be a great time to visit. Generally, the wildlife numbers in Amboseli are so strong that regardless of the weather it is still likely that you will see a lot in the way of wildlife.
Migratory birds will start arriving, offering potentially great bird watching opportunities.
Its location so close to the equator means that the Masai has very consistent temperatures throughout the year, while the altitude (1,124 to 1,169m or 3,688 to 3,835ft) moderate these to average midday high between 25°C/77°F to 30°C/86°F throughout the year. The mornings can, however, be a little chilly, so be sure to bring a light fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Kenya. The first known as the long rains take place between March and May, the second wet season is known as the short rains which also tend to be a little less intense, these take place between November and December.
Experiences
Explore Amboseli National Park Properties
Tortilis Camp
Tortilis Camp
Part of the Elewana Collection, Tortillis Camp is a boutique hotel named after the Acacia Tortillis tree which surrounds the camp. Offering private access to Amboseli National Park, views of Africa’s highest mountain and close ..
What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
