Situated in the southern region of Kenya, Amboseli National Park stands as a renowned wildlife conservation area, enticing visitors with its stunning rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. It is home to iconic wildlife, hosting four members of the Big Five, from lions to graceful zebras, and countless number of bird species in its swamps and wetlands.
Located about a four-hour drive (240 km or 150 miles) southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is well known for its herds of big-tusked elephants.
A scenic park in its own right, Amboseli is synonymous with two particular things – majestic herds of elephants and glorious views of Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania.
Kenya’s second most popular national park after the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli was declared a UNESCO-Mab Biosphere Reserve in 1991.
During heavy rains, the basin at the center of the park floods, attracting hordes of wildlife. The reserve is an excellent place to view the Big Five, as well as lesser-known and rarer wildlife species.
Amboseli is celebrated for its exceptional opportunities for close encounters with free-roaming members of the Big Five. The park is home to large numbers of African elephants, creating the perfect opportunity for an up-close view of up to fifty herds of elephants in one safari, making it a prime destination for both photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Its unique charm lies in its authentic and rich Maasai culture’s ability to offer an unforgettable safari experience in the inspiring natural beauty of Mother Nature, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the magic of the Kenyan wilderness.
How To Get To Amboseli National Park
By Road: The park is accessible through Iremito, Kimana, and Meshanani gates.
- Via Emali to Iremito gate on the main Nairobi- Mombasa road. (204km) At Emali turn to the Emali-Loitokitok road. Follow signs to the right leading to Amboseli via Iremito Gate.
- Alternatively, continue on Loitokitok Road to Kimana shopping center and follow the signs to the park through Kimana Gate.
- Nairobi – Namanga via Meshanani Gate (220km) the road is tarmacked up to Namanga and murramed from Namanga to Meshanani Gate.
- There is a road linking Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Parks. The road will lead you to the park through Kimana gate (240km).
By Air; The park has a single tarmacked airstrip –Kimana airstrip (1.2km long) for light aircraft. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town.
What To Expect
The big game and great scenic beauty where the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro and the hundreds of elephants congregating around the swamps is a spectacle. The unrivaled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest free-standing mountain in Africa rising at 5,896m above sea level and its snowcapped summit dominate the landscape on clear days it is visible during early mornings and afternoons making it a superb backdrop for wildlife photography.
The Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (Savanna grassland, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps, and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin. Within this basin is a temporary lake Amboseli that floods during heavy rainy seasons thus attracting flamingoes. The lake is characterized by very alkaline water but is usually extremely dry and dusty during the hot and dry season, weather that characterizes the Amboseli ecosystem most of the year. This lake is situated in the Nyiri Desert that expands towards the southern border of Kenya and Tanzania covering Amboseli National Park.
Water springs associated with Mt. Kilimanjaro give rise to several swamps in the park e.g. Enkong Narok swamp and other permanent swamps which are critical to wildlife in the Amboseli ecosystem.
Best Time To Visit
High / Peak Season: June to October
- Best time for game viewing – grass is shorter which makes animals easier to spot and they don’t stray far from water sources.
- Mostly sunny with very little to no rain.
- Rates are higher and the park can get rather busy.
Low / Green Season: November to May
- The short rains peak in November, and the long rains in April and May.
- Scenically Amboseli is at its best – a superb time for photography.
- Best time to visit for bird watching.
- Best views of Kilimanjaro – skies are clear of dust.
- Lower rates and the park is quieter due to wet road conditions (around April and May).
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