Amboseli National Park

40 1 0
                                    

Amboseli National Park is located in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province and the main road into the park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road, through Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road. Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.)

Amboseli National Park is a top destination for a Kenya Safari. Indeed, one of the classic images of East Africa, let alone Kenya, is that of a herd of elephant strolling across the plains with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the background.

 Indeed, one of the classic images of East Africa, let alone Kenya, is that of a herd of elephant strolling across the plains with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the background

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

A group of elephants herding near Mt. Kilimanjaro.

It is to catch this sight on memory - and on film - that people flood to Amboseli National Park. While Kilimanjaro is actually across the border in Tanzania, Amboseli has a perfect view of this world's tallest freestanding mountain, rising an impressive 5 kilometers above the plains.

The best time to view the majestic mountain is at dawn and sunset, when the clouds lift and the light is both clear and soft.

Amboseli is about 200km from Nairobi on fairly good roads, and the usual route is via Namanga on the A104. The last 75km from Namanga is a bit bumpy so be prepared. Air Kenya and Safari Link offers daily flights to the Park

It's also a park that combines well with Tsavo National Park to the east, or Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and Arusha National Parks. The park is one of the smaller game parks in Kenya, but it offers you the best opportunity of seeing the critically endangered black rhino, along with a spectacular range of wildlife.

The area's low and well-munched vegetation also ensures that animals are easy to spot. Lions can easily be found and can occasionally be watched stalking their prey. Buffalo, cheetah, gazelle, hyena, jackal, wildebeest, zebra, and baboon are just some of the animals that can be encountered at Amboseli.

Streams from Kilimanjaro surface in the centre of Amboseli, creating swamps that attract and support a rich diversity of wild animals and birdlife. Most of Amboseli is flat and dusty and so the best spots for game viewing are these wetlands.

It is also the home of the Maasai people, those tall, proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals has spread across the globe. Perhaps more than any other community in Kenya the Maasai have learned to live in complete harmony with their environment and the wildlife which surrounds them.

 Perhaps more than any other community in Kenya the Maasai have learned to live in complete harmony with their environment and the wildlife which surrounds them

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

The entry to Amboseli National Park gate designed like the Maasai Manyattas.

All round the park are occupied and abandoned manyatta - Maasai villages - quickly built out of bent poles and sticks and plastered with cow dung and equally swiftly abandoned when the grazing is finished and the herds must move on.

Amboseli Facts

Birds : Numerous including flamingoes

Location : South East Kenya, bordering Tanzania

Area : 390sq km Average Altitude: 1155m [ 3790 ft ]
Access from Nairobi : Road : 250 kms ( 4.5 to 5 hours )
Facilities : Several lodges, tented camps and budget camping sites

Vegetation : Grassland savannah, limited swampy areas lined with forest shrubs

Animals : Numerous including Lion, Leopard, cheetah , elephants, hyenas, jackals and buffalo
Attractions: Spectacular view of Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, during clear skies and game viewing especially Amboseli's elephant population.

Beautiful Kenya🇰🇪Where stories live. Discover now