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At a glance

  • Amboseli is Kenya’s oldest and arguably most beautiful national park, with snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro as its backdrop
  • Amboseli is one of the best places in Kenya to see large concentrations of big-tusked elephants
  • The Chyulu Hills offers a range of activities including day and night game drives, walking and horseback safaris
  • Excellent birdwatching on Lake Jipe in the south-west of Chyulu Hills National Park

Overview

Offering easily the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands just across the border in Tanzania, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s greatest parks, famed above all for its dense concentrations of big-tusked elephants. Watching them amble through the bush, set against the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, is an essential experience on any Kenyan safari circuit. Wildebeest, zebra, hyena, lion, leopard and buffalo can all be spotted too, either on game drives or on walking safaris.

When to visit

  • January
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    55mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is the height of the summer season and falls into the short dry season. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • February
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    42mm
    Average Rainfall
    February is well into the short dry season with hot, dry and clear days with the odd shower. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • March
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    95mm
    Average Rainfall
    For most of March, days are warm and dry, however Kenya is approaching the long rains so more rainfall is expected. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool. March is an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses, making for excellent game viewing, including opportunities to spot newborn animals and hungry predators circling with intent. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present.
  • April
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    123mm
    Average Rainfall
    April heralds the start of the green season and the beginning of the 'long rains', which bring an explosion of greenery and a drop in temperatures. Days are still warm but evenings are cool so layers are recommended. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with the thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • May
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    120mm
    Average Rainfall
    May is characterised by the long rains. Vegetation is thick and tracks into the park become very muddy. Days are warm and wet and layers are recommended in the cooler evenings. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with the thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • June
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Dry weather for the most part returns to Kenya in June, though there may still be some light showers. Days are clear and sunny with low humidity. Evenings can be cool so layers are recommended. The grasses and vegetation are still verdant after the rains making some wildlife viewing a bit more difficult. However, as water sources start to dissipate herds start to congregate around permanent water sources.
  • July
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Winter continues through July with warm, dry days and very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier.
  • August
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    25mm
    Average Rainfall
    August is the last month of winter in Kenya. Days are pleasantly warm with very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier.
  • September
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    30mm
    Average Rainfall
    Temperatures start to increase as Kenya moves out of its winter. Days are warm and clear with little chance of rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you take wind chill in an open safari vehicle into account, so plenty of layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing.
  • October
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    35mm
    Average Rainfall
    October is the last month in the dry season before the short rains start in November. Temperatures are on the rise, days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can be very chilly. There is also the wind chill to consider when in an open safari vehicle, so layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing and there are fewer visitors making for a more private safari experience. Many migrant bird species start to arrive from Europe.
  • November
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    105mm
    Average Rainfall
    November sees the start of the short rains, bringing with it a return to green and lush landscapes. Wildlife viewing becomes a bit more challenging with the thickening of vegetation and more surface water. There are lots of newborn animals around, days are hot with cooler evenings, and the birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.
  • December
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    80mm
    Average Rainfall
    By December the short rains have ended for the most part and the country tends to be sunny and dry, with lush landscapes following the short rains in November. Days are hot and humid, with early mornings and evenings slightly cooler. Wildlife viewing is a bit challenging due to the thicker vegetation. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.

Accommodation

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