Best time to visit Amboseli National Park

The dry season from June to October is generally considered the best time to see wildlife in Amboseli; with little rain falling wildlife retreats to the park’s swamps where underground water from Kilimanjaro wells up permanently year-round. However, this is also peak season – and as Kenya’s most popular national park (after the Masai Mara) you’ll need to book early to secure accommodation during these months. Don’t expect to have the wildlife to yourself at this time of year – vehicles will congregate around the swamps and on the park’s limited network of trails. For a quieter safari consider January to February, after the short rains (which peak in November) have dispersed. Or, stay in one of Amboseli’s conservancies to avoid peak crowds – only 18 guests are welcomed at the Selenkay camp at one time, for example, and you’ll only venture into the conservancy if you’re a guest there. So even at full capacity you’ll be gloriously secluded. The April and May long rains, which bring torrential downpours and washed-out roads, are best avoided.

... Fly there. It takes just four hours to travel the 240km to Amboseli from Nairobi by road – in the most part on good, smooth tarmac. So that light aircraft flight – a killer for your vacation carbon footprint – is not a necessity.