Best Campsites in Amboseli National Park (2025 Guide)

BLACK LEOPARD 4X4 HIRE
22 minutes ago
4 min read

There’s something special about camping in Amboseli. It’s not just the elephants, though you’ll see plenty, it’s the stillness of the swamps at sunrise, the majestic view of Kilimanjaro in the distance, and that feeling of being on safari.

For anyone planning a self-drive trip, here are our top picks for the best campsites in Amboseli National Park, followed by a few other options depending on your travel style and comfort level.

1. Manjaro Campsite – Just Outside Kimana Gate

📍 View Location

📞 +254 721 301 309

📱 Askari Joshua (gate access): +254 795 346 671

Tucked just outside the Kimana Gate, Manjaro is a quiet, privately run campsite that’s become a favourite for overlanders and self-drive travellers. The camp has well-kept camp areas shaded by acacia trees, and on clear days, Kilimanjaro rises like a painting behind the tents.

The campsite shares space with the small Manjaro Tented Camp, but the campground area is the highlight. Their toilet and shower block is easily the cleanest and most functional near Amboseli, with reliable hot water and tidy facilities. Camping usually costs KES 1,500 per night.

There’s a waterhole just outside the site that regularly attracts elephants - it’s not unusual to sit by the fire and hear them in the distance after dark or see them early morning.

Manjaro also offers simple meals on request, firewood, and a welcoming team who go out of their way to make sure everything runs smoothly. At Black Leopard we always suggest Manjaro when our self-drive customers want to go to Amboseli

2. Kimana Community Campsite – Also just outside Kimana gate

📍 View Location

📞 +254 718 179 967 / +254 721 242 711

If you want a laid-back, local atmosphere with decent facilities, Kimana Community Campsite is a solid choice. Located under a canopy of giant acacia trees, this campsite is run by the local community in partnership with KWS.

It’s one of the most popular stops for self-drivers entering the park, and it’s easy to see why - it’s affordable, spacious, and only a few minutes’ drive from Amboseli’s main gate. Camping usually costs KES 1,000 per night.

Facilities include flush toilets, hot showers, electricity points, and a simple kitchen area. You’ll often find other overlanders here. The tented camp also situated in the same compound has a small social area that offers alcohol and light snacks.

Do keep in mind that the trees also provide homes for insects, especially after rain - a good reason to keep your tent zipped and lights dimmed.

3. KWS Public Campsite – Inside the Park

📍 View Location

📧 reservations@kws.go.ke

📞 +254 716 493 335

📱 WhatsApp: +254 726 610 508

For those who want to wake up inside Amboseli - this is the one. The KWS Public Campsite is the only official camping area located within the park boundaries.

It’s a no-frills but rewarding option: there’s water, toilets, and a simple kitchen area. You’ll likely hear hippos grunting from the swamps nearby and spot elephants on their morning routes before most visitors even reach the gate.

The campsite doesn’t require prior booking, but if you want to be safe, you can confirm with KWS via email or phone. Payments are made through eCitizen, and the staff at Kimana Gate can also guide you to the site. The campsite is 300 KES for residents and $30 USD for non-residents

KWS Amboseli Park Fees (2025)

Non-Residents: USD 90 adults / USD 45 children
Residents: KES 2,025 adults / KES 1,050 children
East African Citizens: KES 1,500 adults / KES 750 children
Camping Fee: From KES 500–1,000 pp (payable at the gate or online)
Mode of payment: eCitizen, MPesa, Visa, or EFT

4. KWS Bandas & Guesthouses – For a Little Extra Comfort

📍 View Location

🔗 https://reservations.kws.go.ke/location/amboseli-national-park

✉️ reservations@kws.go.ke

📞 + 254 726 610533

If you’d like a roof over your head after long drives, KWS offers several self-catering cottages inside the park.

Kilimanjaro Guest House: Sleeps up to 7, fully equipped kitchen and living area.
Simba & Chui Cottages: Each with 2 units for 2 guests, with kitchenette, fridge, and gas cooker.

All come with electricity, a house caretaker, and the basics you need for a relaxed stay after a long day on the road. They have recently been redone so are neat, clean but simple. Prices vary depending on the cottage you take and the number of guests.

Reservations are handled through the KWS website: https://reservations.kws.go.ke/location/amboseli-national-park.

5. A Little Luxury – Nearby Lodges

If you’d prefer to pair your game drives with a soft bed and a cold drink by the pool, Amboseli has a few fantastic lodge options:

Kibo Safari Camp – great value and excellent views of Kilimanjaro.
Ol Tukai Lodge – right inside the park, offering classic Amboseli scenery and wildlife all around.
Amboseli Serena Lodge – comfortable and family-friendly, with strong environmental credentials.

These make great stopovers if you’re mixing camping and comfort on the same trip.

Planning Your Self-Drive to Amboseli

Amboseli is about 4 hours from Nairobi via the Namanga or Emali route. The roads are mostly good, though a 4x4 is essential once you get closer to the park - especially during rainy months.

If you’re travelling in one of our Black Leopard 4x4s, you’re already set up for the trip:

Each vehicle comes fully equipped with rooftop tents, fridge, recovery gear, and a full kitchen setup.
All vehicles carry a Carnet de Passage and cross-border insurance - perfect if you’re continuing on to Tanzania or the coast.
And yes, we’ll show you how to use everything during your handover.