Amboseli National Park features among the leading wildlife destinations in Kenya. Amboseli is most popular not only for its huge herds of elephants but also for the breathtaking views of the Kilimanjaro Volcano that it offers. It has a rich ecosystem, seemingly similar to that of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti.
Amboseli was officially established in 1974, with a land area of about 392 sq. km. In 1991, Amboseli was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is currently the most explored park in Magical Kenya thanks to its abundant wildlife and unique experiences.
The Location
Amboseli National Game Park is found in the Loitoktok district, on the Rift Valley province of Kenya. It is lying on the close border of Kenya and Tanzania. This park derives its name from the Maasai people, the natives who reside adjacent to it. The name is translated as salty dust. Unlike some Kenyan parks, Amboseli contains unique ecosystems consisting of dusty arid regions and a blend of swampy vegetation cover, plus several other small water bodies.
The Wildlife
Diversity of wildlife makes Amboseli an outstanding destination and includes the elephants, lions, buffaloes, and elusive leopards. The park also shelters a great population of giraffes, hyenas, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, wild dogs, crocodiles, foxes, and cheetahs. The prominent antelope families to expect to find in Amboseli National Park include Kudus, topis, gazelles, oribis, and others.
Bird species
Approximately 420 species of birds survive in Amboseli, including resident and migratory species. They include Hartlaub’s bustards, egrets, white-bellied go-away birds, secretary birds, crowned cranes, white-bellied bustards, steel-blue whydah, spike-heeled lark, Taveta golden weaver, rufous chat, and yellow-necked spurfowl. Within Amboseli, there are also other birds to be spotted, including ostriches, African swamphen, goliath heron, redshank, pangani longclaw, dickinson’s kestrel, lesser flamingo, African fish eagles, pelicans, and Ruppell’s vultures.
Other attractions to expect to visit or explore include Lake Amboseli, where the largest concentration of the park’s mammals converges to drink water. Lake Amboseli offers excellent views of the park’s diverse wildlife and birds, especially swamp species.
Observation Hill –a great spot for nature walking or game viewing in Amboseli National Park. At Observation Hill, a range of animals can be sighted, including buffaloes, elephants, and many more.
Sinet delta, which is most popular for birding. This area features largely acacia vegetation and is easier to find many giraffes. At the Sinet delta, you can also enjoy excellent views of the legendary Kilimanjaro Volcano.
The vegetation type
Amboseli’s vegetation supports the diversity of wildlife and birdlife. The unique vegetation types that make up this park include the seasonally-flooded lake grassland, Alkaline grasslands, and dense woodland. There are also patches of swamps, bush lands, scrub land, and open woodlands.
Things to do in Amboseli with Apex Africa
Guided game drives
Amboseli National Park is one of the best places in Kenya that offers unmatched game drive experiences. Lying in the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, a guided game drive in Amboseli comes with not only wildlife sightings but also breathtaking views of Africa’s legendary mountain.
On a game drive with an expert from Apex Africa, expect to explore many wildlife species ranging from small to large mammals such as cheetahs, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and antelopes. The day game drive sessions offered here include morning and afternoon/evening.
Birding tours with Apex Africa
Get a chance to identify the diversity of amazing bird species, including birds of prey, swamp dwellers, and savanna species. Avid birders on an Amboseli safari get a great opportunity to identify birds such as African fish eagles, pelicans, yellow-throated sandgrouse, common ostriches, bateleur, saddle-billed storks, superb starlings, helmeted guineafowl, lappet-faced vultures, steel-blue whydahs, secretary birds, and grey-crowned cranes.
Nature walks
It is during a guided nature walk that you have the opportunity to have deep penetration into the Amboseli’s hidden habitats. The ideal spots to explore with an expert on a nature walking excursion include Observation Hill. During a nature walk, visitors have the opportunity to reach the spots that can’t be accessed if you used a 4×4 safari car.
Photography safari
If you are visiting Kenya or East Africa and your focus is on photography, then Amboseli shouldn’t be missed out of your bucket-list destinations. Amboseli presents a unique landscape for photographers to capture exceptional pictures with wildlife. The landscape setting comes with the breathtaking Kilimanjaro Volcano and stunning savanna grassland.
Hot air balloon tours with Apex Africa
Embark on aerial game viewing in the spectacular savanna plains of Amboseli. Fly above the Amboseli breathtaking landscapes with vast savanna grassland. Enjoy mesmerizing views of the large mammal species, including cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, and also some birds.
Community experience
Join the experts on a guided community walk and experience the best of African cultures and traditions. Visit the nearby community/villages and interact with the Maasai people to explore more.
When to visit
Amboseli National Park experiences exceptional weather conditions that make it an all-year-round destination. But to enjoy the best of game viewing and photography tours, the dry months are the most recommended. This means a visitor can tailor their safaris around June to October or January to March. The wettest months of the year fall around April, May, & November, also an ideal period for birding, especially if your target is to explore a variety of migratory species of birds.
Accommodation choices
A great number of comfortable lodges and camps are available for you to consider for your overnight. The top lodges or camps include Simba Cottages, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kilimanjaro Guesthouse, Amboseli Campsite, Tortilis Safari Camp in Amboseli, Tawi Lodge Amboseli, Satao Elerai Amboseli, Chui Cottages, AA Lodge Amboseli, Kibo Safari Camp Amboseli, and Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, etc.
How to get to there
Traveling to Amboseli by road –Expect to drive for about 3-4 hours, but this may depend on the road conditions to Amboseli and the driver’s speed. By air, you can secure the scheduled or chartered flight starting from Nairobi to any of the airstrips in Amboseli National Park, including Amboseli Airstrip.
Conclusively, visit Amboseli to experience the best of the African wilderness. Embark on guided game drives, balloon safaris, community tours, bird watching & nature walks. Contact your expert –Apex Africa to secure a lifetime game viewing opportunity to unearth the unique wonders of Amboseli.