Amboseli
National Park, Kenya
Amboseli
National Park, Kenya
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Amboseli
National Park — Kenya
Amboseli
National Park is a top destination for a Kenya Safari.
Indeed, one of the classic images of East Africa,
let alone Kenya, is that of a herd of elephant strolling
across the plains with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro
in the background. It is to catch this sight on memory
- and on film - that people flood to Amboseli National
Park. While Kilimanjaro is actually across the border
in Tanzania, Amboseli has a perfect view of this world's
tallest freestanding mountain, rising an impressive
5 kilometres above the plains. The best time to view
the majestic mountain is at dawn and sunset, when
the clouds lift and the light is both clear and soft.
Amboseli
is about 200km from Nairobi on fairly good roads,
and the usual route is via Namanga on the A104. The
last 75km from Namanga is a bit bumpy so be prepared.
Air Kenya and Safari Link offers daily flights to
the Park
It's
also a park that combines well with Tsavo National
Park to the east, or Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and Arusha
National Parks. The park is one of the smaller game
parks in Kenya, but it offers you the best opportunity
of seeing the critically endangered black rhino, along
with a spectacular range of wildlife. The area's low
and well-munched vegetation also ensures that animals
are easy to spot. Lions can easily be found and can
occasionally be watched stalking their prey. Buffalo,
cheetah, gazelle, hyena, jackal, wildebeest, zebra,
and baboon are just some of the animals that can be
encountered at Amboseli. Streams from Kilimanjaro
surface in the centre of Amboseli, creating swamps
that attract and support a rich diversity of wild
animals and birdlife. Most of Amboseli is flat and
dusty and so the best spots for game viewing are these
wetlands.
It is also the home of the Maasai people, those tall,
proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and
single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild
animals has spread across the globe. Perhaps more
than any other community in Kenya the Maasai have
learned to live in complete harmony with their environment
and the wildlife which surrounds them. All round the
park are occupied and abandoned manyatta - Maasai
villages - quickly built out of bent poles and sticks
and plastered with cow dung and equally swiftly abandoned
when the grazing is finished and the herds must move
on.
Animals,
Birds of Amboseli
National Park
Amboseli
National Park main attraction are the huge herds of
elephants. There are over 1000 elephants in the Park.
The bull elephants have some of the largest tusks
in all of Kenya. Wildlife here includes the zebra,
wildebeest, giraffe, impala, caracal and serval cat,
lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, wild dog, and hippo.
Unfortunately there are no rhinos in the Park due
to poaching. There are also over 400 species of birds,
including the bee-eater, kingfisher, African fish
eagle, marital eagle and pygmy falcon. Apart from
the great wildlife viewing in Amboseli, one can also
enjoy excellent views of Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru.
Seasons
Rainy
Season
The
long hot and humid rainy period starts around April
and lasts until June, then the short rains come during
the warm months of November and December.
Dry Season
January
through to March are hot and dry, while July to October
are warm and dry. The warm dry season is the best
for game viewing and for personal comfort.
Amboseli
Facts
Birds
: Numerous including flamingoes
Location
: South East Kenya, bordering Tanzania
Area
: 390sq km Average
Altitude: 1155m [ 3790 ft ]
Access from Nairobi : Road : 250kms
( 4.5 to 5 hours )
Facilities : Several lodges, tented
camps and budget camping sites
Vegetation
: Grassland savannah, limited swampy areas
lined with forest shrubs
Animals
: Numerous including Lion, Leopard, cheetah
, elephants, hyenas, jackals and buffalo
Attractions: Spectacular view of
Africa's highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, during clear
skies and game viewing especially Amboseli's elephant
population.
Amboseli
Highlights
·
Big old tuskers (Elephants)
·
Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop
·
Large herds of Elephants - Amboseli
is famous for its huge number of elephants.
·
Hot air balloon over Amboseli The
views of Amboseli & Mt Kilimanjaro look awesome
from the balloon.
·
Maasai Culture and visit to the Masai Villages
- certainly a great opportunity to see and enjoy Masai
songs dance, buy some Masai souvenirs, visit a Masai
nursery children's school and take pictures of the
Masai people.
·
Great views from Observation
Hill - Amboseli National Park is predominantly
flat except for several rocky outcrops and a small
hill where you can get fabulous views of the national
park and Mt Kilimanjaro. Observation Hill is great
as a lookout as well as a place to take pictures.
·
Amboseli
swamps - A huge swamp which covers a large
part of Amboseli National Park is fed by underground
rivers from Mt Kilimanjaro's melting snow .Elephants&
hippopotamus enjoy soaking in the cool water and are
never short of food.
 Amboseli
Sopa Lodge
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Maasai
in Amboseli |
 Elephants
in Amboseli
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