Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park  located in the Southern region of Kenya in Loitoktok district and established as a National Park in 1974. The park got its name from a local word in Maasai language meaning “Salty dusty place.” The park covers an area of 392sqkm and it is heavenly endowed with large herds of elephants making it the best place in Africa to get up-close to free ranging elephants. Amboseli also boosts of being home to the Big 5 and it gives great sceneries with Mount Kilimanjaro at the backdrop.

Amboseli National Park offers a great opportunity for Nature lovers to explore five different habitats ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, the savannah, wetlands with Sulphur springs and also woodlands.

The park boosts of various species of mammals like Lions, elephants, Wildebeest, Leopards, Zebra, Hippo, Giraffe, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, hartebeests, dik-dik, kudus, jackals, bat-eared foxes, fringe-eared Oryx, long-necked gerenuks, serval, warthogs and yellow baboon. The park also has various bird species of about 400 species including pelicans, crakes, kingfishers, lily-trotters, egrets, hammerkops, rare Madagascar squaco, among others.

 

Activities in Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is one of the Iconic Safari destinations that offers unmatched activities and experiences and these are;

Game Drives

Amboseli National Park explored on game drives since it has a striking and rare natural beauty and a variety of wildlife species that have not to be missed for example Africa’s Big 5 mammals together with other species that roam the  open savanna plains, acacia woodlands, rocky thorn bushes and also the swamps. Amboseli can be explored on a full day game drive, but the best time is in the morning from 6:30am to 11am since it offers magical wildlife experiences together with the best photography, it is also when most early risers of the park become very active. These game drives can be really incredible since you enjoy the seductive scenic views of Africa’s highest peak, Mt.Kilimanjaro at the backdrop in case the weather plays along.

 

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

Hot Air Balloon safaris are an incredible way to explore the Park uniquely and it takes 1 hour. Usually begin very early in the morning when the winds are still calm and as the balloon gently ascends, the magical scenery of Amboseli is uncovered. You will see herds of elephants roam freely in this park and also hartebeests, dik-dik, kudus, zebras, giraffes among others.

Horse ride Safaris

Horse ride safaris is a unique way of exploring Amboseli plains since it allows you to go off the beaten paths to get up close to wildlife species like zebras, giraffes, impalas among others. The Horses as Amboseli National Park are so used to carrying beginners therefore it is safe for even the first time riders.

 

Maasai Community Encounters

Here, you get to visit the local Maasai Community that co-exist with the wildlife species in the same environment. Having an encounter with these locals will surely give you the true definition of an African Culture since you will enjoy their folk songs, engage in their dances that require enough physical fitness.

 

When to Visit

Amboseli is open all year round for visitors however the best time to explore this Wilderness is in the dry seasons in the months of January to February and also June to October.

 

How to Get to Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park  accessed by Road and by Air.

By Road,  accessed through Nairobi via Namanga on Nairobi Arusha road entering through Meshanani gate and it’s about 240km. Amboseli also accessed through Emali on the Nairobi – Mombasa road about 228km.

By Air, the park  accessed through Empusel gate and also other airstrips at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga Town.

 

Amboseli Entry Gates  

Entry to Amboseli National Park can be through a number of gates, these include;

Meshanani gate

Kimana Gate

Iremito Gate

Kitirua Gate

Accommodations in Amboseli National Park

Accommodations in Amboseli National Park are in different categories are all designed to give visitors a perfect and comfortable stay, these are;

Luxury Accommodations

Tortilis camp

Tawi Lodge

Ol Donyo Lodge

Campi ya Kanzi

Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli

Angama Amboseli

Satao Elerai Amboseli

Kimana Amboseli

Sentrim Amboseli lodge

Elerai Camp

 

Mid-Range Accommodations

AA Amboseli lodge

Amboseli Serena Safari lodge

Manjaro Tented camp

Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Tulia Amboseli Safari camp

Kibo Safari lodge