Amboseli National Park stands as a true wildlife destination on the African continent located in Kthe ajiando district of Kenya province and it borders Tanzania to the south. The national park covers an area of approximately 392 square kilometers (151 sq mi). Amboseli National Park has been a reserve since 1948 and later in 1974 was gazetted as a national park and in 1991 became a UNESCO site. The park protects two of the five main swamps and includes a dried-up Pleistocene Lake and semiarid vegetation.
More this remarkable national park is home to over 400 species of birds including water birds like pelicans, kingfishers, crakes, hamerkop, and 47 raptor species. The park is also surrounded by the Masai community and is under the management of the Kenya Wildlife Service. Visit Amboseli the best destination for photo shooting the majestic beauty of the landscape which is dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro and its famous big game experience.
Climate
The climatic conditions in Amboseli National Park are hot and dry. Rain typically falls as short, heavy showers. Expect average temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius /82 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 15 degrees Celsius /59 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Early morning activities, such as game drives, may require warm clothing. When they arrive, the long rains usually fall from mid-March to mid-May while the short rains are from late October or November to mid-December.
Attractions found at Amboseli National Park
Wildlife species
Amboseli National Park is a Kenyan famous safari destination that offers remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is often known for its huge concentration of African elephants. Besides its pride, the park is also home to an impressive number of animal species such as wildebeests, waterbucks, Thomson gazelle, hippos, zebras, leopards, spotted hyenas, Maasai giraffes, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, cape buffaloes, hippos, impala, baboons, aardwolf among others
Bird species
Amboseli National Park is also an important birding destination in Kenya that is perfect for bird lovers. The park’s rich habitat including savannah plains and forest inhabitants, around swamps and lakes are home to over 400 species of birds. some of these bird species found here include Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Osprey, Pelican, Hamerkop, Common Ostriches, kingfisher, Black Cuckoo-shrike, African Black-headed Oriole, Chinspot Batis, White-crested Helmetshrike, Black-crowned Tchagra, Gray-headed Bushshrike, African Crested Flycatcher, Red-tailed Shrike, White-necked Raven, White-bellied Tit, Somali Tit, African Penduline-Tit, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Highland Rush Warbler, Northern Brownbul, Golden-breasted Starling and African Bare-eyed Thrush among others
Stunning Lakes
Amboseli National Park is home to several beautiful lakes, particularly in its western part where you’ll find seasonal lakes formed from the remains of an ancient lake that existed during the Pleistocene era. Some of the lakes found here include Kioko Lake, Conch Lake, Simek Lake, and Amboseli Lake among others. The Amboseli national park is the biggest lake and in fact, the Amboseli National Park got its name from this lake ,and the lake is traced within the western region of the park. The shores of these lakes are lined with thick papyrus swamps, making it a perfect habitat for many types of water birds. Here, visitors can enjoy birdwatching and see large numbers of wildlife that come to the lakes to drink.
Marshes
The park is also dotted with several swamps and marshes that provide a reliable water supply for the animals living there. These marshes are mostly located in the center of the park and stand out with their vibrant green amidst the dusty landscape. Some of the key marshes include Longinye, OlTukai, Enkongo or Ngong, Narok, and Ol Kenya. The water in these marshes primarily comes from melting snow from the nearby Kilimanjaro Mountains, which seeps into the ground and flows into the valleys, creating essential water sources for the wildlife in Amboseli National Park.
Activities to do in Amboseli National Park
Guided game drives
Amboseli National Park is a fantastic place to see wildlife, especially its famous elephants. These majestic creatures roam the open fields, acacia woodlands, rocky bush areas, and marshlands. The park offers game drives throughout the day, but your best chance to spot animals is in the early morning from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM and in the late afternoon from 2 PM to 6:30 PM.
During the day, many animals gather near water sources to drink and cool off. You’ll have the opportunity to see various species, including potted hyenas making their way back to their hiding spots in the morning, as well as bush babies and serval cats during night drives. Other animals you might encounter include wildebeests, cape buffaloes, waterbucks, Thomson’s and Grant’s zebras, lions, cheetahs, Masai giraffes, leopards, cape buffaloes, hippos among other animals’ species
Guided Nature Walk
In Amboseli National Park, you can take a beautiful walk through the park’s amazing landscapes. The area is full of lush plants, wetlands, and a variety of animals just waiting to be seen. When you go on a guided nature walk, you’ll explore both the main areas of the park and the observation hills on foot. This is a fantastic way to uncover the park’s hidden gems. You might get up close to incredible wildlife, such as herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. As you walk, you’ll enjoy the cheerful songs of birds while taking in views of the stunning, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s truly an unforgettable experience.
Bird Watching
Amboseli National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 400 different bird species. You can find these birds near the wetlands, grassy areas, and acacia forests. Some of the fascinating birds you might spot include Greater and Lesser flamingos, Spotted Thick-knee, Pied Avocet, Three-banded Plover, Black-winged Lapwing, Lesser Jacana, Bar-tailed Godwit, Small Buttonquail, Double-banded Courser, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Abdim’s Stork, Marabou Stork, Great Cormorant, African Sacred Ibis, Pink-backed Pelican, Squacco Heron, Black-headed Heron, Knob-billed Duck and the Rufous chatterer among others. The best times for birdwatching here are from May to June and October to December. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars so you can see the birds clearly, even from a distance.
Embarking on a landscape viewing
Amboseli National Park is one of the left free-standing mountains with an altitude of 5895 meters above sea level and the Amboseli National Park is at the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The Mountain Kilimanjaro features a snowcapped peak which provides magnificent views that are ideal for the photographs. Visitors also have the chance to see the stunning flora and incredible fauna in the raised areas. The park is home to a variety of landscape viewing spots such as the Noomotio observation point, Kitirua campsite, Enameshera mountain pick as well as the Kitirua campsite and each of the sights within the Amboseli National Park has its better and night sights.
Cultural Tours
The park is surrounded by the local community ‘’Maasai people’’ on your visit to Amboseli National Park you can visit these local person in the afternoon time. You’ll have the chance to learn about their rich culture, including traditional dances where they jump and sing. You might even join in and create amazing memories. Additionally, you can help with local reforestation efforts by planting trees alongside the Maasai. More so a visit to Amboseli National Park is incomplete without exploring the Cultural Heritage Center which is located along the Emali-Loitokitok highway on the way to Amboseli National Park. The center is 23 kilometers from Emali town and 50 Kilometers from Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hot Air Balloon Safari
For a truly special experience, consider a hot air balloon ride early in the morning. This adventure lets you float high above Amboseli National Park, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of elephants, wildebeests, cape buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, Masai giraffes, leopards, cape buffaloes, and hippos among other animals species, and the vast plains from the sky. It’s a serene way to appreciate the beauty of the park and see wildlife from a whole new perspective.
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park
You can visit Amboseli National Park any time of the year, but the best times to go are during the dry seasons. however, these dry seasons are characterized by two drier periods of the year, from January to February and then June to October. During these months, the roads are in better shape, making it easier to see the wildlife. Then birding is best done in the wet season when the migratory birds are on arrival in the park which starts from April to June and November to December
Where to stay in Amboseli National Park during your wildlife safari in Kenya
Amboseli National Park has affordable accommodations that cater to a large group of individuals. The accommodation facilities range from Budget, mid-range to luxury levels. Some of these Includes Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp, Kibo Safari Camp-Amboseli, Kimana Amboseli Camp, Severin Safari Camp, Little Amanya Camp-Amboseli, Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Kilima Safari Camp, AA Amboseli Lodge and Satao Elerai Camp among others
GETTING TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
By Road: You can easily drive to Amboseli National Park from Nairobi, which is the main city in Kenya. The best route is via Namanga Road, taking you through the Meshanini gate. This journey covers about 240 kilometers and takes around four hours. Alternatively, you can travel from Nairobi to Emali using Mombasa Road. This route is about 228 kilometers and usually takes about three hours.
By Air: If you prefer to fly, there are domestic flights available that go to Amboseli National Park. These are charter or scheduled flights that depart from Wilson Airport in Nairobi or Moi Airport in Mombasa. The flight to one of the airports in Amboseli takes about 30 minutes.
