Amboseli is one of the easiest big parks to reach from Nairobi, and one of the most rewarding: big tuskers, swamps full of birds and, on a clear morning, the snows of Kilimanjaro.
What the drive is like
Most of the drive is on the busy Mombasa Road as far as Emali, then on a quieter road south through Maasai country towards Kimana and the park. The alternative route goes via Namanga on the Tanzanian border. Both are tarmac most of the way; inside the park the tracks are dirt and dusty in the dry season.
It is about 240 km and takes around four hours. Leave early and you can be at your lodge for lunch and out on an afternoon game drive.
When to go
The dry months, June to October and January to February, are best for wildlife and for clear views of Kilimanjaro, which is usually sharpest from sunrise to about 9 am. See our Amboseli guide.
