Amboseli National Park

– “The Home of Elephants“–

Compact in both size and wildlife, Amboseli National Park, Kenya is nestled immediately northwest of Mount Kilimanjaro, spreading across the Kenya-Tanzania border. Originally, this park was to be a reserve when it was founded in 1968. Finally, in 1974 it became a National Park. Today, an Amboseli safari is the perfect addition to any Kenya luxury safari.
Today, Amboseli National Park in Kenya is second only to the Masai Mara in terms of popularity. It draws visitors from around the world to its incredible game viewing and iconic free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro views. Africa’s tallest mountain might claim Tanzania as its home, but Amboseli National Park continues to benefit from its picture-perfect peaks. You can see them rising almost four miles above the horizon into the clear blue African skies. Yet Amboseli is perhaps most famous for being the best place in Africa to get up close with free-ranging elephants and varied wildlife. An endless supply of underground water funneled from Kilimanjaro’s ice cap feeds two springs in the heart of the park.

Chyulu Hills National Park

Not too far from Amboseli is Chyulu Hills National Park, a small conservation area forming the natural border between the Maasai and Kamba people. Together with Amboseli, Chyulu Hills encompasses Maasai country. Here, the proud nomadic people have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. Enjoy unique interactions with the native people. These ancient volcanic hills are also perfect for walking and riding safaris. Discover a Big Five playground where more than 7,000 individual animals—from cheetah and oryx to gerenuk and giraffe—make their home. The area’s exclusivity becomes even more apparent when one realizes that there are no other tourists or fleets of minibusses to disturb the experience.
Amboseli National Park is located in the Rift Valley Province and is the most popular destination after the Masai Mara National Park. Towered by Mt Kilimanjaro which stands 5,896 m high, the park is one of the earliest game sanctuaries in Kenya. Its image of large herds of elephants crossing the vast plains and Mount Kilimanjaro in the background make for a classic African safari. Other wildlife such as spotted and striped hyena, Maasai Giraffe, leopard, cheetah, Hyrax, did-dik, crocodile, Lesser Kudu, and the nocturnal porcupine also call the park home. Its large papyrus swamps form the only permanent source of water for the animals in the park. Surrounded by tall Acacia trees, the swamps are a center of activities for large animals such as elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and hippos. Home to more than 400 species of birds, the park is a paradise for bird lovers and watchers. The cone-shaped Observation Hill offers countless photographic views and an amazing sunset to behold. Being an open country, the park is also home to the Maasai community. Various camps and lodges inside the park organize visits to the local Maasai villages.

How to get there

• By Road: The main road into the park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi – Arusha Road, through Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi (228 km) on the Nairobi – Mombasa Road. Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
• By Air: Airstrips: The park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town

Attractions:

• Large Herds of Elephants
• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Big Five
• Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
• The swamp below observation hill hosts many elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and a variety of waterfowls like a pelican, Egyptian goose
• Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle