Discover Amboseli National Park: Ultimate 2023 Safari Guide & Travel Tips

[One] The road from Nairobi to Amboseli is the same as the one to Mombasa, except for some sections of two-lane highway, most of it is a single-lane road in both directions. There is heavy traffic and many large trucks, so it takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach the last town, where there is a souvenir shop and restrooms, and vehicles heading to Amboseli usually stop here.

After that, you turn onto a short section of asphalt road, then onto a dirt road for about an hour to the park entrance, and another 15 minutes to Ol Tukai Lodge.
[Two] During the safari in Amboseli and on the way back and forth, there is a lot of dust, so remember to bring a mask and a hat for dust and sun protection.

In August, the temperature is around 12-25 degrees Celsius, and you need to wear warm clothes when going out for early morning or late evening game drives, such as a light down jacket or a windbreaker. We left at 6:15 am both days, returned to the hotel for breakfast at 9 am, and wore light down jackets in the morning.

[Three] Although most of Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, the best panoramic view is actually from Amboseli. Summer is the dry season, similar to winter in China, with not very clear air, and sunrise is often obscured by clouds and mist. We couldn’t see anything in the early morning until the weather cleared up and we saw a bit of the snow line (as shown in the first picture), and only got a clear view of the main peak at sunset.

We didn’t see the sunrise over Kilimanjaro, but the sunset view from Amboseli National Park is quite good.
[Four] The view from Ol Tukai Lodge is great; the first picture was taken from the hotel. Get up early to see elephants and other animals up close. The wildebeest, zebras, and elephants here are permanent residents and do not migrate with the herds.

After returning to the hotel for breakfast, around 10 am, large numbers of elephants, wildebeest, and zebras will come to drink at the swamp near the hotel. Then go out again to look for more animals, return for lunch, and head out again at 4 pm until after sunset. The hotel serves buffet meals for all three meals, and at 6 am, there is coffee and small cakes prepared for guests who leave early.

Although each meal has a two-hour dining time, if you go late, there will still be food available, and the taste of all three meals is quite good. On the day we left, they also prepared a packed lunch for us, including fruits, yogurt, chicken legs, cake, and boiled eggs. While the taste may vary, the service is commendable.

During the peak season, the hotel is very busy, with the restaurant fully occupied every day, but it still gives a welcoming feeling, without any issues due to being fully booked.
[Five] Most rooms have super king beds made by pushing together two 4-foot mattresses. At night, someone will specifically open the mosquito nets.

The hot water is provided by a high-efficiency water heater, so if two people in the same room wish to wash their hair, it’s best to allow some extra time for the water to heat up. This ensures a comfortable and relaxing experience for everyone.

In the public areas of the hotel, you may encounter playful monkeys and baboons. While they add a unique charm to the surroundings, we kindly ask that you refrain from feeding them. Feeding these animals can encourage them to enter the rooms in search of more food, which could lead to unexpected and potentially disruptive visits.