When is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park for a safari?

When is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park for a safari? Many tourists ask whether Amboseli National Park is worth visiting any time of the year, and the answer is yes; Amboseli National Park is an all-year-round destination, but the best time is during the dry season. Found located against the backdrop of the highest mountain on the African Continent, Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park was named after a Masai word that loosely translates to Salty dry place and is best known for the highest elephant population in Kenya. Amboseli National Park has forested swamps that have been fenced off to prevent elephants from munching on the vegetation, giving them time to regrow.

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Amboseli National Park has a balanced weather system with both the dry and wet season and both have an average temperature throughout the year. The rainy season, also known as the low season, is the best time to go for bird watching with the migratory birds flying into the country and breeding season. The dry season/peak season is best for game drives and nature walks among other activities.

The rainy season

This is divided into two parts: the first rainy season refers to the long rains, and this starts from March to May. The long rains come with heavy rains, which are mainly experienced during the night more than during the y time, although the rains are unpredictable and can be received at any time of the day. The second rainy season is much briefer as compared to the long rains taking no more than a month. The rainy season in Amboseli also known as the low season or the green season is the best time to go for photography, filming and bird watching. It is a good time to travel if you are on a limited budget because many of the services e, especially accommodation o, offer discounts to be able to attract more tourists during the low season. There are advantages to traveling for a safari during the rainy season and these include:

• Few tourists: Most tourists visit Amboseli National Park during the dry season and a few visits during the wet season and that is why it is referred to as the low season. The season gives you a chance to get close to the animals and experience the wild with few people connecting to the wild easily.
• The stunning green: The rainy season comes with lush greenery that transforms the entire national park. The calm green is the best time to relax and lazily watch the animals as they feed, breed, and watch the unique bird species, including endemic and migratory birds.
• The wet season gives you a chance to take the best photos due to the vibrant colors and the greenery around it.
• The rainy season is also the birthing season and when you travel during this period, tourists get to spot the breeding and birthing process of the different animal species in Amboseli National Park.
• Tourists get to spend less during the low season and still have the best experience.

There are disadvantages to traveling to Amboseli during the wet season and these include;

• Rain brings about delays during a safari and you should get used to them and just try to be patient. Plan your safari so that you are ready for the unexpected.
• The muddy and slippery routes within the national park during the rainy season make it hard to get to some parts of the national park.
• There is also increased mosquito activity during the rainy season.
• Although accommodation is discounted, some flood, and you need to make sure that you choose the right and the best facility. During the dry season, make sure that the facility has waterproof items, rain shades and warmers so that you do not get wet and cold, especially at night.

The dry season

The dry season is the best time to go for a wildlife safari in Amboseli National Park and this is because many of the wildlife can be spotted during this period. The dry season is not entirely dry, and you will find that there are few showers of rain during this period. the reason for this is that Amboseli National Park is located right near the Equator, and the weather keeps on changing from time to time, and you need to be ready for all the changes. There are benefits of traveling to Amboseli during the dry season and these include:

• The abundant wildlife that is available during the dry season is the top benefit of visiting during the dry season.
• The dry season is characterized by large crowds of tourists, giving you a chance to interact with other tourists.
• There are so many activities that are carried out during the dry season compared to the rainy season and these are game drives, cultural trips, walking safaris and nature trips.

The downside of traveling during the dry season includes:

• It is not the appropriate time, especially if you are on a budget, since many of the service costs are increased, including accommodation, transport and many more others.
• If you do not like crowds, please avoid the dry season
• The heat can be unbearable sometimes during both the day and night.

Amboseli National Park weather in months

December to February:

December to February is the second and short dry season in Amboseli National Park and it is considered to be the best time to go for game drives in Amboseli. It is much easier to spot the wildlife as it congregates around the watering holes and the thinning vegetation. This is not only a peak season but also a holiday season, and hence, tourists have to book in advance because of the many tourists visiting during this period and the high cost of traveling.

March to May:

March marks the start of the long rains in Amboseli National Park, and during these months, the weather is wet and sunny with rains that do not fall all the time, but showers are to be expected at any time of the day and night. The temperatures during this time are crazy and can reach as high as 28 degrees Celsius. The wettest months in Amboseli are April and May, and if possible, avoid visiting the park during this period because some lodges close down, and the rains will hinder other safari activities.

June to October:

The long dry season is experienced from June to October and this is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park. The weather is dry and sunny almost throughout the day and night; however, the temperatures usually drop at night to about 15 degrees Celsius. The temperatures during this period are always high and people should expect heat with a few showers of rain. June to October is a peak season and you need to book as early as possible for all the different safari activities carried out in Amboseli and if you are not a fan of crowds and traveling on a budget, this is not the best time for you.

November:

This is the short rainy season experienced in Amboseli, and sometimes the rains start as early as late October till the end of November. The storms can come in at any time of the day and you should also expect sunshine as well during this period. It is a good time to go for bird watching and photography safaris among others.

What to do in Amboseli National Park

There are several activities that you can carry out in Amboseli National Park in both the dry and wet seasons and these include:

Game drives: Game drives in Amboseli National Park are bets carried out during the dry season in two sessions, one in the morning and the second one in the afternoon hours after lunch. The game drives are carried out in a well-catered safari vehicle and are considered to be the best way of spotting animals, which include elephants, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras and hippos, among others.

Bird watching: Best carried out in the wet season, bird watching is one of the best activities to be carried out in Amboseli. The national park is home to over 420 bird species some of which include the African swamphen, greater flamingo, pangani long claw spike-heeled lark, Lesser flamingo, Rufous-bellied heron, Eurasian thick-knee, common redshank, Hartlaub’s bustard, Taveta golden weaver, white-bellied go-away bird and yellow-necked spurfowl among others.

Cultural walks: A cultural trip to the Masai villages is one way to spend your safari in Amboseli. This is organized by guides who have knowledge about the Masai and if you want to learn more about the Masai culture, this is the best way to do so. Tourists get to learn about the culture through traditional songs and dance, the Masai staple food which involves blood and milk, learn how to hunt, buy souvenirs made by the local people and join in the famous jumping dance among others.

What to pack on a safari to Amboseli National Park

The best outfits and essential items to pack for a safari to Amboseli National Park include the following:

• Neutral-coloured clothes include long-sleeved shirts and long pants/trousers. Ensure that you avoid colors like blue because it attracts tsetse flies, white and any other bright colors make you stand out in the jungle.
• Hike shoes although they might not be necessary since you will be in a safari car. Other types of shoes to bring include running shoes/sneakers comfort and able flip-flops, and others.
• Insect repellent during both the dry and wet season
• A camera with enough batteries, lenses and a camera bag
• Binoculars
• A sunhat
• Sunscreen to be used especially during the dry season
• A refillable water bottle is necessary; however, safari companies provide complimentary bottled water in the safari vehicle.
• Snacks in case you get hungry
• A waterproof  day backpack to carry all your essentials

Accommodation in Amboseli National Park

While on a safari to Amboseli National Park, there are a variety of accommodation facilities that you can use and these are categorized into three and these are budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities. These are open year-round unless there are renovations taking place and the ones that we recommend include Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli Serena Safari, Ol Tukai Lodge, Tortilis Camp Tawi Camp, Kilimanjaro Cottages Amboseli, Nyati Camp Amboseli, Ol Donyo Lodge, The Red House, Sasaab, Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp and Uzima cottages Amboseli among others.

How to get to Amboseli National Park

Tourists have two ways of getting to Amboseli National Park and these are either by road or air. Most tourists travel in organized groups; however, some individuals can still visit the national park using either mode of transport.

Travelers can choose to fly from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Wilson Airport to Amboseli National Park using domestic chartered flights which can easily be organized and booked by a recognized tour operator like Encounter safaris. Some of the domestic carriers that you can use to get to Amboseli include Safari Link, Air Kenya and Mombasa Air Safari. However, note that the charter flights have to be booked in advance for proper planning.

There are two ways of accessing Amboseli National Park using road and each can take between two to three hours to get to the park. You can drive from Nairobi using the Namanga road to the Meshanani gate at a distance of 240 kilometers, taking about 3 hours. You can also drive from Mombasa to the Remito gate, which is 228 kilometers, and this takes about two hours and a half. While using road transport, you get to see the beautiful scenery as you through the different towns using a 4x4 WD safari vehicle.

The best way to get to Amboseli depends on the tourist’s preference and budget. For example, road transport is cheaper as compared to flying.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Amboseli National Park depends on the activities you plan on taking, and your budget, but the overall best time is the dry season. Contact us for more information.