Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is located in Kajiado County, Kenya. The Amboseli national park is 39,206 hectares (392.06 km2) in size at the core of an 8,000km2 (31,000 sq. mi) ecosystem that spreads cross the Kenya-Tanzania border. Amboseli National Park was established in 1974 as a national park, to protect the core of this unique ecosystem, it was declared a UNESCO site in 1991, the Kenya Wildlife Services the one that manages the park.
Attractions in Amboseli national park.
Wildlife.
The park is the most amazing park that one should not miss out during the safari in Kenya, the park has the African big 5 such as Lions, Leopards, buffalos, Rhinos and elephants. Amboseli national park is one of the premium national parks not only in Kenya but the entire East Africa region, the park is famous with its large herds of African elephants. Other animal species found in the park includes the cheetah, wild dogs, giraffe, zebra, crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-dik, Lesser Kudu, Nocturnal Porcupine and many more.
Bird species.
Amboseli national park is a birding destination with over 420 bird species, the swamps in the park are the great for water-associated birds such as the egrets, herons, pelicans, crowned cranes, the large number of flamingos may be present in the wet seasons (March to May and October to December), the grassland areas offer some interesting ground birds like Pangani long claw, Hartlaub’s bustard then the acacia woodland holds species like steel-blue whydah, white-bellied,Von der Decken’s hornbill. Other bird species in the park includes the Greater flamingo, Spike-heeled lark, Pangani long claw, Rufous chatter, Eurasian thick-knee and many others.
Lakes.
Amboseli national park comprises of a chain of seasonal lakes situated in the western region of the park, these lakes occupy the region of the drained basin of an ancient lake of the Pleistocene and the lakes usually get filled during the rainy season. The lakes include Amboseli Lake, Conch Lake, Simek Lake, and Kioko Lake.
Marshes.
Marshes and swamps are the only permanent water sources in the park and they attract a lot of animals as they come to drink water, marshes and swamps are perfect spots in Amboseli national park for spotting animals like hippos, elephants and many bird species like herons, black-winged stilts, Kingfishers, egrets and many more.
Elephant Research camp.
The elephants of the park are among the most studied in the world, the research camp remains in operation in the heart of the park under the guidance of the Amboseli Trust for elephants, though the camp is not open for casual visits, it is possible with prior arrangement to arrange a one hour lecture at the camp, during which the researchers explain their work and other related issues of elephant conservation, with time for questions at the end. The elephant research in Africa and a visit here in Amboseli national park is a great opportunity to learn more about these soulful creatures.
Mount Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli national park is gifted with scenic backdrop of the snowcapped summit of Mountain Kilimanjaro which is the tallest free standing mountain in Africa with altitude of 5,895 meters above the sea level, the mountain features a snowcapped summit dominating the landscape and very much visible and magnificent scenic view ideal for photography of Mountain Kilimanjaro.
Observation Hill.
Observation hill is among the amazing attraction in Amboseli national park for every tourist in the park should immediately lookout, the observation hill is a pyramid shaped hill situated in the western region of the park which attracts more tourists in the park.
Activities done in Amboseli National Park.
Game drive.
Game Drive in Amboseli National park is the most emotional experience on an African safari and in the park is truly off-beaten activity which can be adventured in open savannah grassland, acacia trees on off-road safari vehicle with open proof guided with armed guide. The game drives in the park starts in the morning which starts at 6:30 am till 11:30 am and the evening drives begins at 2 pm until 6:30pm, during game driving in Amboseli national park the tourist can be able to see the buffalos, baboons, leopards, waterbucks and many others.
Birding watching.
Bird watching in Amboseli national park has birders walking through vegetation or drive through the park in the guidance of a bird guide to spot even the hard to find bird species, the park is a home of over 420 bird species including the Spike-heeled heron, Taveta golden weaver, herons, pelicans, African jacana, Goliath heron, Lesser flamingo, Long-toed lapwing, Steel-blue whydah, Von der Decken’s hornbill and many others. Best time for bird watching in the park is from November to April.
Guided nature walks.
Guided nature walks in Amboseli national park is best done in the late afternoon this where the adventure takes you through diverse habitats that range from grasslands to swamplands which are home to abundant of wildlife, during the activity the tourists can be on foot while enjoying the fantastic opportunity to get closer to nature and offers exceptional photographic opportunities along the way.
Hot air balloon.
Hot air balloon safaris fly daily over the Park which lies on the border with Tanzania, Kaiado district in the southern part of Kenya, the entire safari takes 3 and a half hours. Orange flames dance as they light up the cool crisp Amboseli dawn filling the balloon with hot air.
Cultural tours.
Amboseli national park is surrounded with the local community of the Maasai people, during your visit to the park, you can also take a chance to visit the Maasai people in the afternoon time and learn their ways of living, their dressing styles, enjoy their traditional dances as they jump up and down as your joining them.
Traditional dances.
These are the night skies outside during the night periods in Amboseli national park, especially when you’re on the camp fire as your being entertained by the Maasai people with their traditional dances while enjoying your drinks in the wilderness.
Entrance fees of Amboseli National Park.
| Category | Citizens/Residents | Non-Residents | ||
| Amboseli national park | Adult(KSHS) | Child/Student(KSHS) | Adult (USD) | Child/Student(USD) |
| 860 | 215 | 60 | 35 | |
Best time to visit Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli national park is best visited in the dry season from June to October which is generally considered as the best time to see wildlife in the park, with little rain falling wildlife retreats to the park’s swamps where underground water from Kilimanjaro wells up permanently year around.
Where to stay in Amboseli national park.
Amboseli national park provides the most awesome comfortable beddings to the tourists during their visit to the park as they are arranged in Budget, Mid-range, luxury as they include Amboseli Serena Safari lodge, Kimana Amboseli camp, Kibo Villa-Amboseli, Selenkay Adventure camp, Amboseli sopa lodge, Kilima Safari camp and many more.
How to get to Amboseli National park.
Amboseli national park can be both accessed by both Air and Road transport from the Nairobi city up to the park.
By Road transport.
Amboseli national park can be easily accessed from Nairobi using the Namanga road to pass through Meshanini gate which takes 240 kilometers and the driving time takes you 4 hours. Also another option from Nairobi to Emali tarmac using Mombasa road it covers a distance of 228 kilometers which takes 3 hours.
By Air transport.
From Nairobi there are domestic flights that fly to Amboseli national park the so called the charter or scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport and Moi Airport Mombasa then flies to Amboseli airstrip that takes you 30 minutes to the park. For more bookings, transport, accommodation the tour packages you can contact us Focus East Tour company a trust worthy company.
Amboseli national park is the right choose that you should not miss out during your tour in Kenya, as the park is the best place in the world to get close to free-ranging elephants, not only that their other attractions of the park include the opportunities to meet Maasai and visit a Maasai village, the park also has views of mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
