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Getting to Amboseli

There are 2 options for getting to Amboseli National Park, located about 320 km (200 miles) southwest of Nairobi; road and air.

By Road

Get onto the Mombasa Highway and turn right at Athi River, about 25 km (16 miles) from Nairobi. At Kitengela, about 15 km (9.4 miles) after the turnoff, you could, if time allows, detour into the Maasai Ostrich Resort where you will learn amazing facts about the largest living bird.

Thereafter, head onto Isinya where the landmark is the Maasai Leatherworking and Handicrafts Center for leather bags, shoes and beaded key rings. Drive onto Kajiado and then Namanga where you will encounter yet more kiosks offering a huge selection of sisal and leather bags, elaborate Maasai beadwork and elegant ebony and Kisii soapstone carvings. If you will have picked up any Kiswahili by then, use it to haggle – it's fun but also saves you money!

Thankfully, the 240 km (150 mile) Nairobi-Namanga stretch is first class tarmac. Thereafter, it will be a rattling drive for the remaining 75 km (47 mile) corrugated and potholed Namanga- Meshanani Gate section. If you can afford it, a 4WD vehicle somewhat blunts the sting of this treacherous road segment. However, this uncomfortable ride will soon be forgotten, as you immerse yourself into Amboseli and all it has to offer.

Flights

Getting into Amboseli by air is, of course, a lot faster. Air Kenya and Safarilink operate 2 daily flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the park's only airstrip located adjacent the Empusel gate. Both operators use light aircraft and a return flight costs about US$ 150 during the peak season.

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