Amboseli national park

Amboseli National Park is set at the foot of Africa’s highest peak, 5895m Kilimanjaro, this park is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. It lies some 240kms. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising over a saucer of clouds dominates every part of Amboseli. Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust”,Gazetted as a national park in 1974 it occupies just 392 square kilometers but considering its limited size and its fragile environment it supports a wide variety of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species) (over 400 species). Years ago, Amboseli was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big game hunting in the wilds of Africa

Amboseli national park is famous for its red dusty Elephants that are found in large herds. Its one of the best African national parks which hosts the largest population of Elephants. The well known park is decorated by the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. The park is composed of different habitats that start from the dried-up lake beds. Swamps and springs are drained by the rivers that originate from Mount Kilimanjaro’s melting snow.  Lake Amboseli is the great source of water for both animals and the local community around the park. 

Location of Amboseli national park

Located about a four-hour drive (240 km or 150 miles) southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is well known for its herds of big tusked elephants. The park can be accessed by both Road and air. 

By Road

The main road into the park is from Nairobi through Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi – Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi – Mombasa Road. Access from Mombasa is mainly via Tsavo West National Park through Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.

By Air: 

 The park has a single airstrip for light aircrafts at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town. You can book your flight from Nairobi which departs from wilson airport to the park. 

Activities done in Amboseli National Park

To be exact, most of the activities in Amboseli national park rotate around wildlife. Most of the other attractions are reached for purposes of viewing wildlife. There are many things to do in while at Amboseli national park that one can indulge in that will make your nature experience a fun-filled one.

Game viewing

The scenery of the Park provides the most scenic views of wildlife. The Amboseli is like a gigantic bowl of vast vegetation cover and numerous swamps that harbor wild animals of disparate species from the Big Five. Amboseli national park is a home of wild animals with a high population of elephants which are inhabitant of open plains, acacia forest, rocky thorn bush, marsh land. Game drive watching are performed all day long but the best time to see wild animals is early in the morning and evening. During day time you will be able to see the high concentration of animals on water banks quenching their thirsty. animals to see include ,spotted hyenas ,bush kid, serval cat, waterbucks ,buffalos ,baboons ,aardwolf ,leopards ,jackals ,lions ,fringed eared ,Thomson’s ,Grants gazelles ,Hippopotamus ,zebras ,elephants among other.

Birding 

Amboseli national park is an excellent place for birding because it is a habitat of over 400 bird species and they can be spotted along swamp areas, grasslands, acacia forest some bird species to be encountered in here include; Greater flamingo, Lesser flamingo, Long toed lap claw, Rufous chatterer, Spike-heeled heron, Tavete golden weaver, vonder Dicken’s horn bills, Dickinson’s kestrel, Common redshank, African swamp hen, pangani long claw, Hartlaub’s bustard among others. The best time to do birding in Amboseli national park starts from May to June and October to December. You need to bring your binoculars to provide direct sightseeing of bird species on far distances.

Hot air balloon safari

This is rewarding activity performed very early in the early as you will be able to fly the skies of Amboseli national park and have a great rewardable aerial viewing of herds of elephants, buffaloes, the plains, birds of the air and many more.

A cultural visit to the nearby villages

The local groups live around the Amboseli national park are a special ethnic community in East Africa. The Maasai community is renowned for its traditional culture that has not been influenced by modernization of the African continent. They lead a tribal way of life, which is worth exploring particularly their traditional dances and clothing.