Amboseli National Park

From majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro to diverse wildlife species, Amboseli National Park is undoubtedly every photographer’s dream destination while on Kenya safari holiday. The park was initially known as Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve and it is set in the Kajiado South Constituency of Kenya, about 260kms drive off Nairobi city. Aside from its outstanding sceneries, its close proximity to Nairobi city center makes it one of the most accessible wildlife safari destinations in magical Kenya. Amboseli National Park was founded in 1974 with the main aim of hosting its ecosystem that extends to cover the Kenya-Tanzania border. This protected area occupies an area of 392sq.kms and consists of scenic Lakes, swamps and semi-arid vegetation. It features as Kenya’s second most popular wildlife safari destination just after Maasai Mara National Reserve.

History of Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is an exceptional safari destination with an amazing history which can be traced back to 1883 when Joseph Thompson featured as the 1st European to enter the Maasai area which most people were scared of also popular as Empusel-a word denoting salty, dusty place in Maa. Joseph Thompson was so impressed by enormous wildlife and the contrast between the arid areas of the dry lake bed and oasis of the swamps something that still exists up-to-date. Amboseli was designated as the Southern Reserve in 1906 although the management was put under the hands of local residents as a game reserve in 1948. In 1974, its status upgraded as a national park mainly host its rare ecosystem. In 1991, it was set as a UNESCO site.

Wildlife in Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is that one magical wildlife safari destination any enthusiastic game viewing traveler on Kenya safari should consider a must-visit to view thousands of elephants freely roaming. Aside from elephants, this park is also home to jackals, civets, buffaloes, the Maasai giraffes, African lions, spotted hyenas, wildcats, blue wildebeest, waterbucks, cheetahs, hippos, Impalas as well as primates like the vervet monkeys, yellow and olive baboons.

Birdlife in Amboseli National Park 

Amboseli National Park prides itself as a home to about 425 bird species, 47 of these are raptors. On birding tour in this park, the birds to expect to sight include among others the superb starlings, African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, kingfishers, buffalo weavers, and palm nut vulture, sunbird, crakes, secretary bird, pelicans, Hammerkop, goshawks, and grey crowned cranes.

Activities to do in Amboseli National Park

• Game Viewing

Game viewing in Amboseli National Park involves exploring its huge concentration of wildlife which include among others jackals, civets, buffaloes, the Maasai giraffes, African lions, spotted hyenas, wildcats, blue wildebeest, waterbucks, cheetahs, hippos, Impalas.

• Bird watching

Birding is another astonishing safari experience offered to visitors on Kenya safari in Amboseli National Park. Birders are presented with opportunity to identify migratory birds as well as secretary birds, crakes, buffalo weavers, goshawks, African skimmers, sunbird, super starlings, grey crowned cranes, kingfishers, pelicans, red and yellow bishops, palm nut vultures. Bird watching in this park is best carried out between October and January.

• Photography 

Photography in Amboseli Park is an amazing experience. It features an exceptional backdrop of the ice-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and the park’s landscape alone, makes it an incredible photography paradise. On a photography tour, please come along with your camera and storage cards.

• Visit the Masai village

A cultural tour is what makes your visit to Amboseli Park memorable. To have the best of African cultural experience in this park, a visit to Maasai village should be a must and you have the opportunity to have an in-depth exploration of their unique traditions, cultures, and lifestyles.

When to visit Amboseli National Park

Visitors on Kenya safari can visit Amboseli Park for wildlife viewing starting January, February and June, July, August, and September. Birding, on the other hand, is best done between October and January.

Where to stay in Amboseli National Park

Some of the safari lodges to spend a night while on a safari in Amboseli Park include Tortilis Camp, Tawi Lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Kimana Lodge, Oltukai Lodge, and Amboseli Sopa Lodge; campsites (Abercrombie tented camp, Kent tented camp, Downy tented camp, Chyulu tented camp, Kimbla campsite, leopard tented camp, cottar’s tented camp, Kibo Safari Camp, Tortilis tented camp, nairushari special, Olgulului public campsite).

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