Kajiado County stretches south from Nairobi to the Tanzanian border. It is Maasai country, and it contains Amboseli National Park, several community-run conservancies and the Namanga border crossing on the main road to Arusha.
Most travellers experience Kajiado on the way somewhere - driving to Amboseli or crossing into Tanzania - rather than as a destination in itself. But the conservancies around Amboseli are worth knowing about: they are owned by Maasai group ranches, they allow walks and night drives, and the fees support local families directly.
Dry savannah, acacia bush and open plains, with the Ngong Hills in the north and Kilimanjaro on the southern horizon around Amboseli. Maasai homesteads and cattle are common sights.
Wildlife moves between Amboseli and the surrounding conservancies, so animals seen in the park are also found on community land.
Maasai homestead or market visit
Conservancy game drives and guided walks near Amboseli
Overland border crossing to Tanzania at Namanga
Travelling through Kajiado gives you a sense of how wildlife and pastoral life share the same land. A visit to a homestead, arranged respectfully, offers context that a park alone cannot.
Similar to Amboseli: the dry seasons, roughly June to October and January to February, are best for wildlife.
Read our full guide: Best Time to Visit Kenya for a Safari, Season by Season »
Kajiado town is about 1.5 hours from Nairobi, and Namanga around 4 hours.
Mostly conservancy lodges and camps near Amboseli rather than in Kajiado town.
Namanga is the main road border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania
Conservancy fees support local Maasai communities
Malaria risk is present at lower elevations
Official park info: Kenya Wildlife Service
Usually it is part of an Amboseli trip or an overland crossing rather than a separate destination.
Yes. We can build a road crossing into an itinerary that continues from Amboseli to Arusha.
Tell us your dates and we'll build an itinerary that includes it.
