Amboseli national park is the 2nd popular wildlife safari destination in Kenya coming second to Maasai Mara national reserve, the park referred to as “The land of Giants” is famed for hosting large herds of elephants with impressive tusks and the magnificent back drop of Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest free standing mountain on the African continent.
Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest free standing Mountain on the African continent standing at the altitude of 589 meters above the sea level creates a magnificent backdrop and its snow-capped summit can clearly be seen in Amboseli national park, offering great opportunities for nature photographers. The melting snow from the summit of the mountain contributes to the water holes and mashes found in park.
Amboseli national park is found in Loitoktok District in the Rift Valley Region, about 240 kilometers southeast of Nairobi City the capital city of Kenya. Amboseli national park a premier Kenya safari destination gets its name from “Amboseli” a local Masai slag meaning “Salty Dust”
Amboseli national park stretches over an area of 392 square kilometers protecting unique ecosystem comprising of a combination of special hydrology, topography, geological and cultural history. The park encompasses of 5 different habitats that are open plains, acacia woodland, thorny bushes and palm trees which cover rock formations, swamps and marshlands around Lake Amboseli.
Lake Amboseli is a great attraction in Amboseli national park, the lake is a dried up Lake bed (Pleistocene lake basin) which is normally comes to life during the rainy season.
History of Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park was established as a national park in 1974, initially the park was known as Empusel. Amboseli national park was first established as a national game reserve in 1906 and it was upgraded to a national park in 1974 and its named was changed from Empusel to Amboseli.
In 1991, the park was recognized by UNESCO as a Man and the Biosphere reserve
Wildlife in Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is famously known for being a home to large herds of elephants with impressive tusks, other wildlife species you should expect to see in Amboseli national park include elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, giraffe, hyrax, Diki – Dik, lesser Kudus, crocodiles, Mongoose, nocturnal porcupine, Grant’s and Thomson gazelles, impalas, hippos and many more.
Birdlife in Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is recognized as one of finest birding destinations in Kenya and is among the Important Birding Areas in the country, the park is a home for over 400 bird species including globally threatened Madagascar Pond- Heron, lesser flamingo, lesser Kestrel, Africa’s most sought – after bird – the shoe bill and over 40 birds of prey.
Birds in Amboseli national park include egrets, herons, pelicans, steel-blue whydah, hornbills, African swamphens, common redshanks, and taveta golden weavers, yellow necked spurfowls, painted dwarf gecko, Sudan mabuya, graceful chameleon, viraible skink, African stripped skink, and many more.
Kenya safari activities to do in Amboseli national park
Game viewing
Game viewing is the main Kenya safari activity in the Amboseli national park, this activity is done in a 4X4 wheel vehicle with a pop – up rood and open windows and on various trails/tracks running through the savannah plains of the park.
Game viewing activity is done on morning and afternoon game drive searching for animals such as large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, spotted hyenas, antelopes and many more. You will also magnificent views of the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro and its snow-capped summit and the spectacular sunset over the landscape of Amboseli.
Bird watching
Amboseli national park is recognized as one of the best birding sites in Kenya and is among the Important Birding areas with over 400 bird species including resident and migratory bird species inhabiting in the various habitants dominating the park including swamps around the lake, forest galleries and savannah grasslands.
Bird watching in Amboseli national park offer excellent sightings of colorful birds including egrets, herons, pelicans, steel-blue whydah, hornbills, African swamphens, common redshanks, taveta golden weavers, yellow necked spurfowls and many more.
Birding in Amboseli national park is best in the period of November – April when migratory species arrive in the park from North Africa region and Europe, though birding can still be done throughout the year.
Hot air balloon safaris
Hot air balloon safari is a thrilling activity and one of the amazing ways to explore the plains of Amboseli national park offering aerial views of the park’s landscape, magnificent views of the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro and its animals. This activity is excellent for photographers on a photography safari in Amboseli national park.
Hot air balloon safari start as early as 06:00 am and head to the park’s starting point, you will be briefed about the experience while watching the balloons being inflated. Then climb into the basket as the sunrises, you will enjoy watching the spectacular sunrise, magnificent views of the snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and many animals such as large herds of elephants, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards among others.
Cultural encounters
Along the borders of Amboseli national park there are communities of the Maasai people where cultural encounters are done, this adventure is done under the supervision of a guide and while in the community of the pastoral people you will learn more about their culture and traditions.
You will participate in activities such as cattle rearing, cultural dances and drama, milking of the cattle, interact with the Maasai elder, and visit the Bomas and the Market centers.
How to get to Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is found in the Rift Valley Region in Loitoktok District about 240 kilometers South East of Nairobi – a tourist hub where most safaris to Amboseli start from, the park is accessed by either road or air
By road
From Nairobi City to Amboseli national park, it is a drive of about 4 hours using the main road of Nairobi via Namanga leading to Meshanani Gate, another route commonly used to get to Amboseli national park is Via Email from Nairobi – route of 228 kilometers. While traveling to Amboseli national park by road, you are advised to use a 4X4 wheel vehicle.
By air
There domestic flights from Wilson Airport to Amboseli national park, these flights are offered by several domestic airlines such as Airkenya, Safarilink and Mombasa Air Safari. Flights to Amboseli land at an airstrip at Empusel, airstrip at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and another one in Namanga Town.
Where to stay in Amboseli national park
There are several accommodation options in Amboseli national park categorized as luxury, midrange and budget, these accommodations range from safari lodges, tented camps to camping sites.
Accommodations in Amboseli national park include
- Kibo Safari camp
- Kilima safari camp
- Ol Tukai lodge
- Amboseli Sopa lodge
- Tawi Lodge
- Campi ya Kanzi
- Satao Elerai camp
- Ol Donyo Lodge
- Amboseli Serena Safari lodge among others.
