Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is located in the southern part of Kenya in the rift valley close to the Tanzania border. The national park is among the popular wildlife safari destinations in Kenya and is also crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters. Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen in the backdrop of Amboseli national park during safaris at the destination.
The word Amboseli comes from a Maasai word “embusel” which means salty dust. The salty ash in the national park was as a result of an eruption of Mount Kilimanjaro.
A safari to Amboseli national park provides an up close experience of seeing the gentle giants as they move in their herds around Amboseli national park. The national park covers about 392square kilometers and it consists of savannah plains, acacia woodland and also marshland.
The national park is managed by Kenya wildlife services which promotes conservation and manages the wildlife in different destinations of Kenya.
Amboseli national park is famous for its big number of elephants which move freely around the national park. Apart from the elephants there are also many other wildlife species which can be seen during a safari.
Wildlife species in Amboseli national park include lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, gazelles, cheetahs, zebras, lesser kudu, dik dik, hippos and giraffes among others. Four of the big 5 can also be seen in the national park and they include the elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos.
The best time for visit to enjoy wildlife viewing during safaris to Amboseli national park is during the months of June to October and also in January and February. From June to October many tourists visit the national park.
The dry season is during the months from June to October when wildlife species can be seen around water points. The roads are also better in the dry season making it easier to move around the national park during a wildlife viewing experience.
Park entrance fees of Amboseli national park
During safaris to Amboseli national park, one of the requirements is paying of park entry fees. Park entrance fee for non-residents visiting Amboseli national park is 35 USD for adults and 20 USD for children.
East Africans visiting Amboseli national park are charged park entry fee of 800 KSH for adults and 200 KSH for children. East Africans include citizens from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and south Sudan.
The entrance fee for Amboseli national park is valid for 24 hours for a single entry. Other fees during safaris to the national park include camping fees for special campsites and public campsites.
Safari activities in Amboseli national park include;
Game drives are also part of the safari experience while visiting Amboseli national park. This activity can be carried out in the morning and also in the afternoon or evening. The game drives are a way to explore the beautiful landscape of Amboseli national park while looking out for the various wildlife species such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, giraffes, zebras among others.
During morning game drives, various wildlife species are active and can be spotted as they roam in the savannah of Amboseli national park. The afternoon game drives provide a true African safari experience in the heat of the day while looking out for the wildlife species around the national park and enjoying the views around.
Wildlife in Amboseli national park such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, zebras among others thrive on underground water supply in the national park.
Maasai community tours with the Maasai people are also carried out during safaris to Amboseli national park. These interactions involve getting to know more about the way of life of the Maasai and their culture during a visit to the Maasai villages. The Maasai are known for their semi nomadic way of life and also for their attire which comprises of a shuka and also colorful jewelry such as necklaces, earrings and anklets made of beads in different colors.
The Maasai keep livestock such as cows, goats and sheep which can be seen as they graze or in the Maasai kraals. The Maasai can also be seen in other parts of Kenya during Kenya safaris and also around the northern part of Tanzania.
Bird watching is also done during safaris in the park and the different bird species of the national park include native and migratory bird species. There are about 400 species in Amboseli national park such as herons, grey crowned cranes, hornbills, pelicans, lesser flamingos among others.
The activity of bird watching in Amboseli national park can be done throughout the year and the destination is also a birding paradise. In November to April different bird species can be seen in the national park including migratory bird species.
Flamingos can be seen around the lake which is found in Amboseli national park which fills up during the rainy season and dries up the rest of the year to a salt dust pan.
Walking safaris around Amboseli national park are carried out in the neighboring areas of the national park such as in the ranches and conservancies. This activity provides a close encounter with the natural surroundings at the destination.
Nature walks can be done in the morning or in the evening while enjoying the sunset and getting to know more about the attractions around the national park. The walking safaris are carried out in the company of a guide as you enjoy exploring the wilderness and may also see wildlife species around.
How to get to Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park can be accessed by driving from Nairobi which is about 4 hours’ drive to get to the destination. The different gates which are used to access the park include Kimana gate, Meshanani gate, Iremito gate and Kiturua gate.
Another way to access Amboseli national park is by flights to the airstrips in the national park.
Visit Amboseli national park and enjoy seeing the large elephant herds and stunning views at the destination.