Amboseli National Park is among the most prominent protected areas in Kenya. The park is located in the southern part of the country about a 4-hour drive from Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital city. Amboseli National Park was established in 1974 and covers a land area of 392 square kilometers. It is among the most visited safari destinations in Kenya because of its diverse wildlife.
This incredible Safari destination is located near the Kenya and Tanzania border and its ecosystem is a bit similar to Serengeti and Masai Mara also spreads over the two countries. The name Amboseli was derived from the Masai people who the natives of the area and means salty dust. Amboseli National Park ecosystem comprises dusty arid areas that transcend into swampy vegetation and other small water bodies. It is this ecosystem where you find the various wildlife species that the park has.
Amboseli National Park was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1991.
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Wildlife in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is popularly known as the land of giants because of its prominent numbers of elephants, the land’s largest mammals. Three of the big five mammals can easily be spotted here and they include elephants, buffaloes, and lions. Leopards are also present in the park but rarely seen.
Giraffes, the land’s tallest mammals are abundant in the Park. Hippos, wildebeests, zebras, and hyenas are among the commonly seen safari animals in Amboseli National Park. The park is also home to over 400 bird species making it one of the best birding safari destinations in Kenya.
Activities in Amboseli National Park
Game Drives
Safari Game drives are the most commonly done activities in Amboseli National Park. The park has Mount Kilimanjaro in the background and it is the best place to see the mountain even though it is located in Tanzania. Impressive scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro on game drives here make them even more exceptional.
Major safari animals especially elephants are often seen with the Mountain in the background. Kenya safaris featuring these giants only make sense when done in Amboseli National Park. The best times for all game drives are usually mornings and late evenings. During this time the animals are very active and amazing to watch as they go by their routine in the wild.
Guided Nature Walks
Nature walks are other ways of getting up close to the Amboseli ecosystem. Being a wild place though these walks are limited. The observation Hill at Noomotio is among the few places in the park where you can enjoy an on-foot safari within the park. A walk in this great ecosystem is exceptional and makes one truly appreciate the beauty of Kenya.
Birding Discovery Journeys
The bird species in Amboseli National Park attracts a number of avid bird lovers. There are various diverse ecosystems that make birding journeys in the park remarkable. Bird species like the grey-crowned cranes, herons, and pelicans are often spotted in swampy areas. This is because they prefer to live in that kind of ecosystem.
Steel-blue whydahs and hornbills are among the bird species that live in the woodland areas. The open savannas on the other hand also have particular Bird species. That kind of birding diversity and experiences are the ones you enjoy in Amboseli.
Photography Safaris
Photography safaris and Journeys of Discovery are slowly shaping savanna wildlife experiences. The wild gives rare and touching moments that many love to capture on safari. Wildlife photography has even become an important employment opportunity for many and Amboseli National Park is among the best places in Kenya where photographers go for safari.
There is quite a lot to capture in the park. No matter how many times you visit it, you will always get unique and exclusive experiences each time.
Accommodation
Getting there
Amboseli National Park can be accessed by both road and air transport. Road trips in any country are enjoyable as they increase your chances of interacting with people. You also get to view a lot while in transit shaping the memories and overall experiences. There are also other destinations that you can connect to by road transfers.
Even though it is just a 4-hour drive to Amboseli, there are people who prefer to fly. Flying has its own advantages like saving time as you get to the destination early and start your safari adventures. There are scheduled and chartered flights from Nairobi and other top safari destinations to Amboseli. Major domestic flight operators include Safarilink, Mombasa Air Safari, and Air Kenya.
You can enjoy a Kenya flying safari connecting Amboseli to other Kenya Safari destinations like Masai Mara.
Best Time to Visit
Amboseli National Park can be visited at any time of the year. For the best general wildlife viewing and safari photography, we recommend a visit in the dry season. This is usually from June to October. January to March are also relatively dry months where wildlife viewing is also great.
April, May, and November are wet months but still great times to visit the park. Rainfall clears the sky and with this, you get to clearly see Mount Kilimanjaro which is a key attraction. The rains also favor the growth of vegetation and wildlife spotting is equally great. This season is the best for birding as the migratory birds are present in the park.
Some of Kenya Safaris feature Amboseli and we highly recommend it. Journeys of Discovery to this safari destination are our kind for experiential travel.
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