Amboseli National Park

Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name “Amboseli” comes from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust”, and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close.

Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands.  They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture.

Background Information

Amboseli National Park is in Kenya near the border of Tanzania.  The park encompasses 151 square miles (392 sq km).  It is part of the larger ecosystem that stretches across Kenya and Tanzania covering an area of 3,100 square miles (8,000 sq km).

Mount Kilimanjaro, the rooftop of Africa, crowns this protected area.  Amboseli National Park was formerly recognized as Masai Amboseli Game Reserve.  It is situated in the Kailado County of southern Kenya.  This national park protects two swamps and the plains from the foothill of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli is comprised of five different wildlife habitats.  These include open plains, yellow-barked acacia woodlands, Lava-strewn rocky thornbush, swamps, and marshes.  The Oldoinyo Orok massif stretching toward the skies reaching a height of 8,300 feet (2,760 m).

The collective groups of habitats create an abundance of scenic landscapes that are all capped-off with views of Mount Kilimanjaro.  Amboseli National park is accompanied by an expanse of the skies stretching from horizon to horizon.  The nights are filled with amazing opportunities for star-gazing.

Amboseli National Park is a safari destination with an array and abundance of wildlife to experience.  The majority of people traveling to Amboseli and looking for safari and wildlife encounters.  A pinnacle highlight is seeing wildlife with a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro framing the background of the scene.

The long dry season creates excellent opportunities to experience animals visiting the swamps and various watering holes.  Along with the herds of elephants, wildlife enthusiasts can hope for sightings of lion, cheetah, hyena, jackal, mongoose, giraffe, cape buffalo, warthog, baboon, monkeys, zebra, impala, different species of gazelle and more.  The primary wildlife viewing area occurs in the eastern half of the park.

It is possible that within a single morning game drive through the eastern area, safari-goers may encounter lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhino, elephant, buffalo, and giraffe.  Along with these sought after species, you may have sightings of eland, waterbuck, and zebra.  Amboseli is a great place for experiencing the wilds of Africa.

Bird lovers will find a paradise of over 400 species of birds.  There are 47 raptor species of birds as part of the highlights from the skies in Amboseli National Park.  Although different species of birds may be experienced throughout the park, one of the best places to encounter birds is in the lake, marsh, and swamp areas.

You cannot copy content of this page

×