Amboseli national park is one of Kenya’s hidden gems located in the southern part of the country in Kajiado County near Tanzania border. The park is located adjacent to Mountain Kilimanjaro which is Africa’s highest peak. Amboseli national park is among the closest protected area to Nairobi the capital city of Kenya, it is located 365 kilometers away from Nairobi city. It is about 4hours drive from Nairobi to Amboseli national park.
Amboseli national park was first established as a game reserve in 1906 to protect the animals especially the elephants from extinction. In 1974, it was granted a title for national park and in 1991, it was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of about 392 square kilometers where varieties of animal species thrive from and multiply. Being in close vicinity with Mt. Kilimanjaro, this is an added advantage to the park and it has contributed to its popularity.
Attractions in Amboseli National Park
The Sinet Delta
This is a birding paradise located a few meters away from the Observation Hill in the north part of the park. The Sinet delta is dominated by the Acacia where browsers like giraffes have made their permanent avenue. This is where you can clearly see Mountain Kilimanjaro from.
Birds
Amboseli national park is a home to over 420 recorded bird species and with this number, Amboseli is one of the birding places that Kenya boasts to have. The best birding time is during rainy season between March and May, this is when the birds are breeding and the park gets high influx of migratory birds from different corners of the world. Some of the bird species found in Amboseli national park are; Von Der Deckens’s Hornbill, flamingos, Hartlaubs bustards, pelicans, herons, white-bellied go-away bird, steel-blue whydah, starlings, ostriches, egrets, love birds to mention but a few.
Wildlife
Amboseli national park is a home to Africa’s Big 4 animals which are; lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants. Amboseli national park is famous for hosting higher population of elephants in Kenya. Other wildlife to encounter in the park are; giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, oribis, Kudus, Dik-Dik, hyenas, gazelles, wild dogs, topis, among others.
The Observation Hill
This is a pyramid shaped hill in the north of the park where tourists hike to have a better view of the park from a high altitude and this is where the guided nature walk safaris are done in Amboseli national park. While you are at the peak, you have a great view of the park.
Lake Amboseli
Amboseli national park got its name from Lake Amboseli which is a source of water for animals in the park and this is where the boat cruise is done. The lake is a home to aquatic life as well for example, hippopotami and water birds like flamingos, herons and pelicans. There are no crocodiles in Lake Amboseli because the lake is located at a high altitude therefore its waters are too cold and this cannot favor crocodiles. Crocodiles prefer lower altitude waters which are relatively warm for example in Masai Mara national reserve.
Activities in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli national park being a home to a number of wildlife therefore a number of activities can be done here as below;
Game drive in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli being a home to Africa’s Big 4 animals for example lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants, and other wildlife that roam in the plains of the park, they can only be seen during game drives. You can engage in the morning game drive to catch the animals when they are still very active or do an evening game drive to catch animals that fear heat of the day.
Birding in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is a home to over 420 bird species and this makes the park a birders’ choice. Birding is done mostly in wet season between March and May and November as well. Birders can only discover these bird species during birding exercise in Amboseli national park.
Boat Cruise Safaris in Amboseli National Park
A boat cruise in Amboseli national park is one of the soothing experiences when you visit the park. You will be exposed to the aquatic and semi-aquatic life. Hippos are semi-aquatic animals, you will see water birds, enjoy sunset while you cruise on Lake Amboseli.
Guided Nature Walk Safaris in Amboseli National Park
This is a unique experience where you get to feel so close to the park’s soil and the wildlife as well. Get engaged in the guided nature walks in Amboseli national park where you will hike the Observation hill to capture the aerial view of the park and Mountain Kilimanjaro views. You can combine these activities with gorilla trekking experience in Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Volcanoes national park one of Rwanda national parks, or combine this park’s experience with Serengeti national park in Tanzania.
How to get to Amboseli National Park?
By Road
The park is 4hours drive from Nairobi and you can access the park through 2 main gates. You access Amboseli national park via Namanga on Nairobi-Arusha highway and connect to the park through Meshanani gate. This is the shortest route which is used for day trips in Amboseli. You can access the park from Mombasa from the coastal area via Mali and you can connect to the park via Kimana gate in Olkelunyiet.
By Air
The park has one air strip in Empuseli and it is used by small air craft in the park and upon landing in the park, you will meet your driver guide to transfer you either to the booked lodge or start the game drive immediately.
What is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park?
You can visit Amboseli national park throughout the year however, the most advisable months are during dry season between June and early September, this is when the animals gather at the water points and you will have a chance to see them in a close range. The vegetation is short and the pathways are dry thus making it the best time to explore the park, on the other hand, during wet season between March and May, birds are breeding, vegetation is thick and this is the best time for birders to explore the park and the park is less congested during this period, therefore you will feel like you own this huge park, explore it in total silence and execute your to do list quietly.
