Amboseli national park takes its name from a Maasai word which means “salty dust”. It is one of Kenya’s best national parks and among the best destinations in Africa where you can encounter large herds of elephants up close. The park is crowned by the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro Mountain, Africa’s highest point, giving impressive views and beauty to this park.
Amboseli is a lovely destination for nature lovers with a range of habitats including the wetlands with sulphur springs, the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, the Savannah and woodlands. Visitors to this park can add to their experience, the authentic culture of the Maasai community that inhabits the areas around the park.
Key features
Wildlife
• The park is home to incredible wildlife with different game including Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik- dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine
• The bird life in Amboseli national park is prolific with 600 species
Park Size
390.26 sq. Km
Climate
The park experiences two rain seasons; the Long rains fall in March and April and the short rains in November and December. Temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees centigrade and rainfall from 200mm – 700 mm.
When to go
The park operates all year round and opens daily from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm GMT+3 including public holidays. No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6.15pm
What to take with you
• Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight.
• Also useful are: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks
How to get there
Amboseli national park can be accessed both by road and through air transport through charter or domestic scheduled flights.
By Road: The popular main road to Amboseli is from Nairobi city through Namanga. This is 240 kilometers on the Nairobi – Arusha Road, through Meshanani Gate. The other one is from Nairobi through Emali and it is 228 kilometers on the Nairobi – Mombasa Road. When coming from Mombasa access is mainly through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
By Air: Flying to Amboseli? The park has a single airstrip for light aircrafts at Empusel gate. There other airstrips at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town so you can fly there and connect to the park
Attractions
The Amboseli national park has got a number of attractions including wonderful nature and a host of wildlife as well as impeccable culture of the Maasai people. So, on your next visit to Amboseli, you can expect to see or do the following;
• Large Herds of Elephants
• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Big Five
• Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
• Swamp below observation hill hosts many elephants, buffaloes, hippos and a variety of water fowls like pelican, Egyptian goose
• Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
