Amboseli National Park: Inside Kenya's Most Preferred Park by Foreigners in 2022 [PHOTOS]

Undated photo of two elephants at Amboseli National Park
Undated photo of two elephants at Amboseli National Park
KWS

Tourism is a major contributor to the country's economy, and year-long foreigners throng the country for various reasons.

Kenya is famous for its vast wildlife, and many foreigners visit the country for an exhilarating game drive through the its national parks.

In 2022, Amboseli National Park was ranked as the most frequented park in Kenya by non-residents or foreign tourists. This was detailed in the Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report 2022

The report released by the Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday, February 22, showed that Amboseli National Park received 85,705 non-resident or foreign tourists in 2022.

Zebras grazing in Amboseli National Park
Zebras grazing in Amboseli National Park
KWS

Others on the list were Nairobi Mini Orphanage, Nairobi National Park, Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell's Gate National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, Tsavo East National Park, Kisite Marine Park, Mt. Longonot National Park.

Amboseli, the Masai word for 'salty dust', is a breathtaking park at the foot of Africa's tallest mountain -Mt Kilimanjaro.

The park in the Loitoktok district, in Rift Valley, is about 240 kilometres from Nairobi. For those travelling from Mombasa, you may access it through the Tsavo West National Park via Kimana gate.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Empusel gate. 

It offers a view of a pool of wild animals, including elephants, zebra, impalas, lions, wild dogs, buffalos, and giraffes.

Amboseli National Park is home to over 600 species of birds, including the ostrich. It is dominated by acacia woodland, rocky thorny bush, swamps marshland, and a Pleistocene lake. 

"It is open all year round from 6 am - 7 pm including public holidays. No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6 pm," KWS warned.

The park offers a variety of accommodation options for its visitors, who get to enjoy the serene environment and get to unwind. 

Citizens and residents visiting the park are charged Ksh860 for adults and Ksh215 for kids, while non-residents pay Ksh7,576 (USD 60) for adults and Ksh4,419 (USD 35) for adults kids.

Outside the park, visitors can buy souvenirs like traditional ornaments, jewelry, and paintings, among others.

Giraffes at the Amboseli National Park facing Mt Kilimanjaro
Giraffes at the Amboseli National Park facing Mt Kilimanjaro
KWS
The interior of a room in one of the camps at Amboseli National Park
The interior of a room in one of the camps at Amboseli National Park
KWS
Iremito gate at the Amboseli National Park
Iremito gate at the Amboseli National Park
KWS