Amboseli Airport

Amboseli Airport (IATA: ASV, ICAO: HKAM) is an airport in Kenya. Amboseli national park airstrip is the only single airstrip that is found inside the park. Amboseli national park airstrip is not modern developed with the runway very dirty leaving only the terminal building which is fully finished. The isolated park which is located just a few kilometers away on the South of the capital Nairobi is mostly reached by road. The presence of the single airstrip is supplementary mode of transport that eases the guests who would not like to drive under African terrain roads. Amboseli national park is one of the best national parks in Kenya that is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Amboseli national park airstrip was earlier closed by the Kenya wildlife Services under the instruction of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. But later on Monday, December 2019 the Kenya wildlife Services reopened the airstrip for public use after the great impact on the road network at the park which made the park almost inaccessible during the rainy season leaving only flights as the best solution. The Kenya Wildlife Services wrote a notification to the general public with daily flights as well as chartered flights available at Wilson airport in Nairobi.

Last year the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority upgraded and renovated the Amboseli park airstrip runways. Great work was done after assessment and research taken at the park as potential tourism destination. The reopening of the airstrip boomed and boasted tourist arrival to Amboseli national park making it one of the popular national parks in Kenya and entire East African region. The Aviation together with other private stake holders like Hotels and Lodges, tour operators worked hard to upgrade the airstrip. All the feeder roads to the airstrip from different park gates, Amboseli lodges or Amboseli hotels were upgraded so as to ease the pickup and drop off of the guests to the Amboseli national park airstrip. The Customer service Center was also constructed and made it easily accessible due to good road network constructed at the Amboseli park airstrip. The airstrip is fully managed by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The airstrip has one single large runway that measures 1,180 meters in length that makes it currently to handle only small aircrafts. Amboseli national park airstrip is located inside the park in Kajiado County in the Southern part of Central Kenya. It borders Tanzania especially the famous African highest peak that is Kilimanjaro mountains. Amboseli park airstrip is approximately 156 kilometers away from Jomo Kenyatta international airport by flight.

There are several domestic flights that are chattered and some daily departures that start from Wilson airport in Nairobi. The airstrip is located inside the park making Amboseli national park flight safaris very unique as guests will have an aerial view of the park before landing. It only takes few minutes with direct flight from Wilson airport to Amboseli national park airstrip. Some local tour operators have this new package of Amboseli flight safaris that are for one day and more. The most dominating and currently serving airline is the Airkenya with both unscheduled and chatter services. You book your flight directly from their offices in Nairobi or Wilson airport. Guest can also use local travel agent to book the services of Airkenya.

The reopening of the airstrip has directly connected the park with other Kenya protected Area like Masai mara national reserve with flights from Masai mara to the Amboseli available. You can now connect to Amboseli from any protected area airstrips across Kenya. Soon it will be possible to connect to other regional aircrafts hence connecting the park to other regional protected areas. The opening of this airstrip has given great opportunity to make short time travellers to enjoy the land of African Elephants. The park is one of the famous parks in Kenya that hosts a good number of large wildlife like Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Buffaloes, Kobs, leopards, wildebeests and many more animals. Amboseli is also regarded as birding paradise with more than 400 bird species found at the park.

Apart from the flight one can also access Amboseli national park by road. The park is found few kilometres from Nairobi through good tarmacked road that connects Kenya to Tanzania through Namanga border, one can also use Mombasa highway from Nairobi. All these roads are good and short scenic drive is achieved as you encounter with true African life in the villages. This is an option for budget guests who would like to save more but enjoying luxury African experience. Driving is more recommended for most fit guests leaving flight options for rush and elderly guests. Flights save more time and give you enough time to do safari activities as the driver guide will be at the airstrip waiting for you. From the airstrip, you directly go from the game drive then later transfer to your lodge for refreshments and lunch.

Location

Amboseli Airport is in Kajiado County, in Amboseli National Park, in south-central Kenya, close to the international border with the Republic of Tanzania.

It is approximately 156 kilometres (97 mi), by air, south of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the country’s largest civilian airport. The geographic coordinates of Amboseli Airport are 2° 38′ 42.00″S, 37° 15′ 0.00″E (Latitude: -2.64500; Longitude:37.25000).

Overview

Amboseli Airport serves Amboseli National Park. The small airport receives regular scheduled service from Airkenya and unscheduled service from aircharter service providers.

At 1,145 metres (3,757 ft) above sea level the airport has a single asphalt runway that measures 1,180 metres (3,870 ft) in length.