Background
Amboseli National Park is located in Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The park is 392 sq. km in size at the core of an 8,000 sq. km ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species. Other attractions of the park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people and also offer spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
Amboseli is a very fragile ecosystem, submitted to great seasonal variations. The overall sensation is of a dry land with an annual rainfall of between 350 – 400mm. During the wet season, the rains flood the lakebed and the surrounding area. Because of the high salt deposits in the lakebed few trees grow in the park, with only small patches of acacia and some palm
trees far off the lake. Salt-rich pastures are appreciated by herbivores.
Despite the first impression of dusty and arid land, Amboseli is actually overflowing with water all year round below the ground surface. Waters converge into various underground streams
that rise in two clear water springs in the centre of the park, giving birth to large marshes like the Loginya Swamp where elephants, hippos and buffalos find shelter.
Best time to visit Amboseli
Although Amboseli can be visited at any time of the year the best time to visit is during dry months, which are June to October and January to February. Wildlife watching can be better during the dry season and the visitors have a better chance to view the abundant wildlife that the park boasts. From July to October, wildlife gathers around watering holes in Amboseli.
Things to do in Amboseli National park
Game drives
Game drives in Amboseli allow the visitors to get up close and personal with the wild animals and provide a truly refreshing and exceptional encounter for a traveller while watching the sunrise and sunset in exceptional tones of colour change over the horizons.
Kilimanjaro Peak View
Amboseli National Park is towered by Mt Kilimanjaro which stands 5896m high and is the highest point in Africa. The picturesque view of Kilimanjaro makes it a perfect tourist destination in Kenya attracting a large crowd every day.
Observation Hill
Situated in the west part of the park, Observation Hill is a cone-shaped hill where you can get out of your vehicle and take a walk. It is one of the famous places to visit in Amboseli that offers a stunning view of the surrounding plains and swamps, as well as Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Maasai Cutural Experience
To witness the cultural side of Kenya, the Massai community is the perfect place that showcases the best of Kenya. They lead a tribal way of life, which is worth exploring especially their traditional dances and clothing.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is best between October and January if you want to see Kenya’s migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name a few. It is home to more than 400 species of bird.
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