Updated in November 2026, this Amboseli National Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Amboseli National Park is a wildlife park in Kajiado County, southern Kenya, on the border with Tanzania at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Updated in November 2026: management of the park is being handed over from Kenya Wildlife Service to Kajiado County in phases, and non-resident adults still pay the $90 Kenya Wildlife Service entry fee online.
Quick facts about Amboseli National Park
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Gates open 6am to 6pm daily, all year. Overnight guests can stay inside the park. |
| Ticket prices | Non-resident adults $90 and children $45 per 24 hours. Vehicle fee KES 600 per day for vehicles with fewer than 6 seats. |
| Address | Amboseli National Park, Kajiado County, Kenya. Main gates: Iremito, Kimana and Meshanani. |
| Nearest public transport or parking | No public transport into the park. Kimana airstrip for light aircraft. |
| Typical time needed | Half a day for one game drive, or two to three days for a full visit |
Amboseli National Park opening hours
Amboseli National Park is open every day, and its gates open at 6am and close at 6pm.
| Gate | Opening hours (all year) |
|---|---|
| Iremito Gate (via Emali) | 6am to 6pm daily |
| Kimana Gate | 6am to 6pm daily |
| Meshanani Gate (via Namanga) | 6am to 6pm daily |
The year-round hours are the same in every season. Visitors must enter and leave within these times unless they are spending the night in the park.
Amboseli National Park ticket prices
Entry to Amboseli National Park costs $90 per adult and $45 per child for non-residents, valid for 24 hours.
| Visitor category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | USD 90 | USD 45 |
| African citizen | USD 50 | USD 25 |
| Kenya resident | KES 2,025 | KES 1,050 |
| East African citizen | KES 1,500 | KES 750 |
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in November 2026.
Fees are paid online through the Kenya Wildlife Service system on eCitizen before arrival, and cash is not accepted at the gates. A vehicle fee of KES 600 a day applies to vehicles with fewer than 6 seats, and online payments can add a processing fee. Fees and gate arrangements may change as Kajiado County takes over management of the park.
How to get to Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is about 204 km from Nairobi by road, and most visitors drive or join a tour.
- Via Iremito Gate: From Nairobi, take the Nairobi to Mombasa road to Emali (204 km). Turn onto the Emali to Loitokitok road and follow the signs to Iremito Gate.
- Via Kimana Gate: Continue along the Loitokitok road to Kimana and follow the signs to the park.
- Via Meshanani Gate: Drive from Nairobi to Namanga (220 km). The road is tarmac to Namanga and gravel from Namanga to the gate.
- From Tsavo West: A road links Tsavo West National Park and Amboseli through Kimana Gate (240 km).
- By air: Kimana airstrip has a 1.2 km tarmac runway for light aircraft. Other airstrips are at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga.
Allow four to five hours for the drive from Nairobi.
Parking at Amboseli National Park
There is no car park system at Amboseli National Park, because visitors drive through the park on game drives. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the park tracks.
Visitors must stay on established roads and tracks, and off-road driving is prohibited. The speed limit is 40 km/h. Stay in the vehicle with the doors closed unless you are at a designated area, and keep at least 20 metres from wildlife.
How long to spend at Amboseli National Park
Most visitors spend one to three days at Amboseli National Park, and one game drive takes about half a day.
| Activity | Length |
|---|---|
| Morning or afternoon game drive | About 3 to 4 hours |
| Overnight stay in the park | One 24-hour entry period |
Entry fees are charged per 24 hours, so a second night means a second day’s fee. Visitors who enter after the gates open should plan to leave by the same time the next day.
Accessibility at Amboseli National Park
Wildlife viewing at Amboseli National Park is done from a vehicle, which suits visitors with limited mobility, but the park tracks are rough and facilities vary.
Call Kenya Wildlife Service on 0716 493 335 or the toll-free number 0800 597 000 to ask about access, accommodation and any assistance before you visit.
What to see at Amboseli National Park
The elephant herds are the main attraction, and the park is known for close encounters with large herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Amboseli lake basin attracts flamingos, and the park’s open plains, acacia woodland, swamps and marshes support a wide range of wildlife.
Birdlife includes more than 400 species, among them about 40 birds of prey. The park is one of Kenya’s 60 Important Bird Areas.
Observation Hill (Nomatior) gives panoramic views across the park and has links to the Ndorobo community.
Maasai culture is part of a visit, with trips to manyattas and cultural centres that show a pastoral way of life.
Night wildlife and stargazing are possible because the sky has little light pollution. The park is also a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Timing | Gates open at 6am and close at 6pm, so start early and leave in time to reach a gate before closing. |
| Crowds | Pay fees on eCitizen before you arrive, because the system can be slow and gates do not take cash. |
| Layout | Three gates serve the park: Iremito from Emali, Kimana from the Loitokitok road and Meshanani from Namanga. |
| Entry process | Pay on eCitizen before you arrive and show the payment at the gate. Kenya residents and East African citizens should carry a valid ID or passport. |
| On-site logistics | Bring drinking water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a first aid kit, and carry out all waste because single-use plastic is prohibited. |
Frequently asked questions about Amboseli National Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Amboseli National Park suitable for children? | Yes. Child entry costs $45 for non-residents or KES 750 to KES 1,050 for Kenyan and East African residents. Children must stay in the vehicle except at designated areas. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Amboseli National Park? | Fees are paid online through eCitizen before arrival, so pay in advance rather than at the gate. |
| Is Amboseli National Park open on Sundays? | Yes. The gates are open every day from 6am to 6pm. |
| Can you self-drive in Amboseli National Park? | Yes. Stay on the established roads, keep to 40 km/h and use a 4×4 vehicle where possible. |
| Are plastic bottles allowed in Amboseli National Park? | No. National parks are plastic-free and single-use plastic is prohibited. |
Things to do near Amboseli National Park
- Tsavo West National Park: A large national park linked to Amboseli by road through Kimana Gate.
- Chyulu Hills National Park: A national park of volcanic hills west of Tsavo West, near Amboseli.
- Maasai manyattas and cultural centres: Villages and centres around the park where visitors learn about the Maasai way of life.
- Kimana: A trading centre on the Loitokitok road with a park gate.
- Namanga: A border town on the road from Nairobi, with a gate route into the park and an airstrip.
Alternative attractions to Amboseli National Park
Other Kenyan wildlife parks need a longer road journey or a flight from Amboseli.
- Tsavo East National Park: A large park east of Tsavo West.
- Nairobi National Park: A wildlife park beside Kenya’s capital.
- Masai Mara National Reserve: A reserve in south-west Kenya, usually reached by road or air from Nairobi.
- Lake Nakuru National Park: A lake park in the Rift Valley known for flamingos.
- Hell’s Gate National Park: A Rift Valley park near Lake Naivasha.
