Amboseli
My Safari
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Amboseli is one of the most visited parks in Kenya. Established in 1968 as a reserve, it became a National Park in 1974 and covers 392 sq km forming part of the 3,000 sq km Amboseli ecosystem which lies in the south east of Kenya on the border with Tanzania.
There are 5 main wildlife habitats in Amboseli National Park: open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshland. The landscape is dominated by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain in neighbouring Tanzania, which provides a stunning backdrop for the large concentrations of wildlife to be found here in the dry season. At dawn and dusk the cloud cover breaks to reveal the dazzling snow-capped peak.
Although Amboseli's attractions inevitably attract visitors in large numbers, housed in huge motel-type lodges, the trick is to actually stay in one of the more remote lodges, carefully choosing where and when to visit the areas where the greatest density of game is to be found.
Above all, Amboseli is known as the place to come if you want to see nature's gentle giant - the elephant.
Wildlife Highlights:
Wildlife to be found in Amboseli National Park includes Thompson and Grants gazelle, Cokes hartebeest, warthog, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, zebra, baboons and - most of all - large herds of elephant.
Also to be found here are (occasionally) black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal.
There is abundant bird life near the swamps and seasonal lakes, with over 400 species to be found.
Getting to Amboseli:
Most visitors will travel to Amboseli by air, either from Nairobi or Mombasa, arriving at its Empusel Gate airstrip. There are further airstrips, suitable for light charter aircraft.
There is road access from Nairobi, which is tarmaced for about three-quarters' of its length, followed by 'murram' (i.e. 'all-weather - or dirt) road. It is also possible to approach from Mombasa through Tsavo West.
