AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Amboseli national park is located in the Kenyan counties of Kajiado and Loitokitok in southern Kenya, northwest of Kilimanjaro towards the Tanzanian border.
It is located 233km (145 miles) by road from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Amboseli national park can be combined with a safari in other game reserves in Kenya according to its location; Tsavo west, Tsavo east national park and Masai mara game reserve. Tsavo west and Tsavo east are near by 2hours and 4 hours respectively by car, Masai mara game reserve is also a 4-hour drive away from Amboseli national park.
Amboseli National Park stands as a renowned wildlife conservation area, enticing visitors with its stunning rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. It is a home to iconic wildlife, hosting four members of the Big Five, from lions to the graceful zebras and countless number of bird species in its swamps and wetlands.
Amboseli is celebrated for its exceptional opportunities for close encounters with free-roaming members of the Big Five. The park is a home to large numbers of African elephants, creating the perfect opportunity for an up-close view of up to fifty herds of elephants in one safari, making it a prime destination for both photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Its unique charm lies in its authentic and rich Maasai culture ability to offer unforgettable safari experience in an inspiring natural beauty of Mother Nature and, making it a must – visit destination for anyone looking to experience the magic of the Kenyan wilderness.
How To Get To Amboseli National Park
By Road: The park is accessible through Iremito, Kimana, and Meshanani gates.
Via Emali to Iremito gate on the main Nairobi-Mombasa Road. (204km) At Emali turn to the Emali-Loitokitok Road. Follow signs to the right leading to Amboseli via Iremito Gate.
Alternatively continue on Loitokitok road to Kimana shopping center and follow the signs to the park through Kimana Gate.
Nairobi – Namanga via Meshanani Gate (220km) the road is tarmacked up to Namanga and murramed from Namanga to Meshanani Gate.
There is a road linking Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Parks. The road will lead you to the park through Kimana gate (240km).
By Air: The park has a single tarmacked airstrip –Kimana airstrip (1.2km long) for light aircraft. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town.
There are several airlines flying from Nairobi to Amboseli airstrip, and several of these offers only morning return flight to the park, with a one-way flight taking approximately 45 minutes. The same plane then usually turns around back to Nairobi after dropping off or collecting passengers from Amboseli airstrip. Almost all these flights take off from Wilson airport in Nairobi (as opposed to the JKIA international airport) and you need only be at the airport about 45 mins prior to the flight. The two main airlines are Air Kenya and Safari link. These two airlines have a reliable service and credible safety record.
The key features in Amboseli national park
The big game and great scenic beauty where the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro and the hundreds of elephants congregating around the swamps is definitely a spectacle. The unrivalled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest free-standing mountain in Africa rising at 5,896m above sea level and its snowcapped summit dominates the landscape and on clear days it is clearly visible during early mornings and afternoons making it a superb backdrop for wildlife photography.
The Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (Savanna grassland, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene Lake basin. Within this basin is a temporary lake Amboseli that floods during heavy rainy seasons thus attracting flamingos. The lake is characterized by very alkaline water but is usually extremely dry and dusty during the hot and dry season, weather that characterizes the Amboseli ecosystem most of the year. This lake is situated in Nyiri Desert that expands towards the southern border of Kenya and Tanzania covering Amboseli National Park.
Water springs associated with Mt. Kilimanjaro give rise to several swamps in the park e.g. Enkong Narok swamp and other permanent swamps which are critical to wildlife in the Amboseli ecosystem.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Attractions in Amboseli national park
Amboseli is one of the 60 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Kenya and thus it is recognized as globally significant for bird conservation. The ecosystem has a rich birdlife with over 400 species recorded, of which 40 are birds of prey.
Observation Hill-Nomatior – Offers a panoramic view of the park and hiking is worth the effort. It was inhabited many years by hunters and honey gatherers called the Ndorobo. Signs and traces of their property and implements have been found here giving rise to the Maasai name Nomatior; the place of pottery.
Lemomo Hill – Situated in Kitenden conservancy approximately 3km from the park boundary. The hill peak is the highest observation point that offers the best views of the park and other key areas of the ecosystem
Ol tukai – The heart of Amboseli woodland of yellow fever trees and the doum palm known as Ol tukai by the Maasai and Makindu in Swahili. Ol tukai is a cool oasis of tress and a retreat for wildlife greatly favoured by Elephants and Lions.
Rich Maasai Culture – Visit Amboseli for a lifetime experience of the Maasai culture. Interact with Maasai in their bomas-the Manyatta and established cultural centers. Their largely livestock grazing lifestyle has been important in conserving wildlife resources in the Amboseli Ecosystem Resource centre and Museums -Situated at Noonkotiak and Lemong’o areas respectively about 6km from Kimana gate. Avails key information on the ecosystem.
Visitors can enjoy game viewing, bird watching, picnicking, photography, camping, cultural tourism and balloon safaris.
Accommodation in Amboseli national park
Amboseli N. Park offers the following:
Kilimanjaro Guest House:
Accommodation; 1 unit, 7pax, First bedroom – One double bed. Second bedroom-One double bed. Third bedroom– Three single beds.
Amenities; Bathroom, furnished sitting area with DSTV, open plan dining area, kitchen equipped with gas stove, fridge, kitchen utensils, beddings, soap and electricity. A house caretaker is available.
Rates; Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 12,000, Non-Residents: US$ 240.
Kilimanjaro Annex:
Accommodation; 1 unit; 4pax, Two bedrooms each with a double bed.
Amenities; Bathrooms, electricity, kitchen, fridge, kitchen utensils, bedding and soaps. A house caretaker is available.
Rates; Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 6,000, Non-Residents: US$ 100.
Simba Cottages:
Accommodation; 2units; 2pax per unit , One unit has one double bed and the other unit has two single beds.
Amenities; Well-equipped kitchenette, fridge, gas cooker, beddings and soaps. Lighting is by electricity. A house caretaker is available.
Rates; Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 4,000, Non-Residents: US$ 90.
Chui Cottages:
Accommodation; 2units, 2pax per unit, Each unit has a bedroom with 2 single beds
Amenities; Well-equipped kitchenette, fridge, gas cooker, beddings and soaps. Lighting is by electricity. A house caretaker is available.
Rates; Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 4,000, Non-Residents: US$ 90.
Camping: Public Campsites
For this category standard amenities are provided; water, toilet/bathroom and kitchen area.
Public campsites do not require prior booking.
*Reservation of bandas/guesthouses is done through the park warden or bujuku eco tours
*Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day for both special and public campsites exclusive other park charges.
These fees are subject to change. Please note that the park fees are likely included in the safari cost but please do make sure to check with your safari operator
If you are interested in doing Amboseli national park trip, having any questions, making bookings, getting tour guides, and drafting Amboseli national park itineraries or any other trips itinerary, do not hesitate to inquire from our company we shall be happy to help.
