Located in southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border. Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors from around the world. It is a unique and fascinating safari destination in Kenya that offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and cultural tourists alike with its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife.
Sprawling over an area of approximately 392 square kilometers, the park is nestled at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Amboseli National Park is of considerable cultural value, as it has been the traditional territory of the Maasai people for centuries, who have developed a profound connection with the land and its wildlife. Amboseli is home to over 1,000 elephants, as well as other large mammals like lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras as well as the endangered species like the African wild dog and the Maasai giraffe.
Getting to Amboseli National Park
Located in the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley province, Amboseli National Park is a mere stone’s throw from Nairobi – approximately 365km southeast. Visitors can reach the park in one of two ways: by road or by air.
By road
For those who prefer a scenic drive, Amboseli National Park’s Kimana gate is accessible via the Nairobi-Mombasa highway through Emali. Alternatively, take the shortcut from Nairobi to Arusha via Namanga – a route that’s tailor-made for tourists combining their safari with visits to Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks.
By air
For a bird’s-eye view of the park, visitors can book a charter flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Amboseli’s Empusel airstrip. From there, your guide will be waiting in the wings to whisk you away to your accommodation.
Attractions in Amboseli National Park.
Located in the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley province, Amboseli National Park is a real showstopper. This world-famous park is a must-visit destination for any wildlife enthusiast or nature lover. Here are the top attractions to tick off your bucket list,
Birds
With over 400 bird species, Amboseli National Park is a true birders’ destination, offering a colorful and vibrant birding experience that’s hard to match. Birding in the park is done all-year-round. The best time to watch both endemic and migratory bird species is during the wet season, from the months of October to November and March to May. This is because there’s enough food for the birds. The wet season is also the breeding time for the birds. Birding safaris in Amboseli National Park are carried out in the Sinet delta, because of its availability of plenty of bird habitants such as the Acacia trees although other bird species can be spotted in the different parts of the National Park. Some of the bird species spotted in the park include, Flamingoes, Egrets, Pelicans, Herons, Crowned cranes, Pamgani long claw, steel blue, love birds, starlings, white billed go way bird, ostriches among others.
Mammals
The park is famous for its great population of mammals. It is home to over 80 mammal species that include elephants which are the star of the show,
Amboseli is renowned for its massive elephant population. These gentle giants are the park’s crowning glory, and a sighting is the icing on the cake for any traveler. Amboseli National Park is also one of the best places in Africa to spot the Big Five (5) lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffaloes. Seeing these incredible creatures up close is a real treat. Around the park’s wetlands and rivers, you can spot Hippopotamus, Giraffes, Zebras both plains zebras and Grevy’s zebras, Antelopes and gazelles such as Impalas, Grant’s Gazelles, Thomson’s Gazelles, kudus, Kobs among others.
Mount Kilimanjaro
The park’s stunning backdrop is provided by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. On a clear day, the mountain’s snow-capped summit is a breathtaking sight. Mount Kilimanjaro is an awe-inspiring natural wonder, offering breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and a unique cultural heritage. It is home to various plant species including the endemic Kilimanjaro tree, acacia trees which support a wide range of wildlife in the park. The mountain is the main attraction in Amboseli National Park, attracting a great number of hikers from all over the world. It has six routes that are established to enable hiker reach the summit of Africa’s highest point and the world’s second highest peak.
Observation Hill
For a bird’s-eye view of the park, head to Observation Hill. It is a great point to step out your vehicle and move around on foot. This viewpoint offers a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape in the Amboseli National’s lakes, marshes, the plains and the wildlife and birds that inhabit them. The Observation hill is also perfect spot to watch the sunset.
The Maasai People
The Maasai people have lived in harmony with the park’s wildlife for centuries. Visiting a local Maasai village provides a fascinating glimpse into traditional African life and culture.
Best time to visit Amboseli National Park.
Amboseli National Park is open to visitors any time of the year, however the best time for game viewing is during the dry seasons, in the months of December to February and June to September. During these months wildlife gather around waterbodies for water making viewing them easier. There’s accessibility to the park, and inside the park as the roads are not slippery and vegetation is not so thick.
For the best birding safaris in Amboseli National Park, the wet season is the ideal for bird lovers, becauseits the time when majority of the birds are breeding. Most of the Migratory birds can also be spotted in the wet season.
Where to stay?
Dubbed as the “home of African Elephants”, Amboseli National Park is located south of Nairobi, along the Kenya Tanzania border. The park is known for its offering clear views of the world’s 2nd and Africa’s highest mountain, Mountain Kilimanjaro and the large herds of Elephants in the region.
The park has a variety of accommodation options to suit different travelers’ taste and giving guest satisfaction with service delivery, customer care, facilities and so much more. Accommodation in Amboseli National Park range from luxury, midrange and budget type of accommodations.
Budget accommodations include; Amboseli Eco camp, WE4Kenya guest house and campsite, Sentrim Amboseli, Kimana Amboseli, Maasai Simba camp etc.
Midrange accommodations include; AA lodges Amboseli, Ambokili lodges, Kibo Safari camp, Penuel Plaza hotel among others.
Luxury accommodations are; Amboseli serena safari lodge, Oi Tokai lodge, Satao Eierai camp, Torti’s Camp etc.
