Kenya
7-Day Kenya Highlights
Elephants under Kilimanjaro, Rift Valley lakes and the big cats of the Masai Mara — Kenya’s classic circuit in one week.
Price on request
- Country
- Kenya
- Region
- Kajiado County, southern Kenya
- Type
- Kenya Safari
- Best months to visit
- Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
Overview
Amboseli National Park is famous for one view above all: large families of elephants walking across open plains with the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro rising behind them. The mountain is in Tanzania, just across the border.
Underground springs fed by Kilimanjaro’s snowmelt create green swamps in an otherwise dusty landscape, drawing animals in all year round.
- Elephants with Kilimanjaro behind
- Observation Hill viewpoint
- Swamps full of birdlife
- Maasai cultural visits
What you'll see
Some of the most studied elephants in Africa, including big-tusked bulls, plus lion, cheetah, buffalo, hippo in the swamps and many water birds. Kilimanjaro is usually clearest early in the morning and at dusk.
Wildlife you may see
- Elephant (Big Five)
- Lion (Big Five)
- Cheetah
- Cape buffalo (Big Five)
- Hippo
- Masai giraffe
- Plains zebra
- Wildebeest
- Spotted hyena
Things to do
- 01
Game drives
Follow elephant families between the swamps and the open plains.
- 02
Observation Hill
Climb a short path for a view across the park and the swamps.
- 03
Maasai community visit
Visit a Maasai village bordering the park.
- 04
Scenic flight
Optional light-aircraft flights for views of Kilimanjaro (on request).
Best time
- Jan: Great time
- Feb: Great time
- Mar: Possible
- Apr: Possible
- May: Possible
- Jun: Great time
- Jul: Great time
- Aug: Great time
- Sep: Great time
- Oct: Great time
- Nov: Possible
- Dec: Possible
June to October and January to February are dry, with the best visibility of Kilimanjaro on clear mornings. The park can be dusty in the dry season.
Getting there
About 4–5 hours by road from Nairobi, or a short scheduled flight from Wilson Airport. Often combined with Tsavo West.
Where to stay
Luxury
Tented camps in private conservancies on the park boundary with Kilimanjaro views.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Comfort
Lodges inside the park close to the swamps.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Budget
Simple camps near the Kimana and Iremito gates.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Gallery
Journeys that visit Amboseli
- 7 days
More Kenya Safari
Taita-Taveta County
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (Salt Lick)
A private sanctuary famous for its lodge on stilts
