Amboseli National Park covers 400 km2 of plains redeemed by the stunning spectacle of Kilimanjaro towering over it. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above a saucer of clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli. Amboseli is one of the most popular parks in Kenya. The wildlife viewing is great all year round.
The Amboseli area includes the Amboseli and Chyulu Hills National Parks, as well as large Maasai communities and wildlife sanctuaries. This is a very busy park because of its proximity to Nairobi and ease of reaching the many lodges/hotels built in and around the park.
It is also the home of the Maasai people, those tall, proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals has spread across the globe. Perhaps more than any other community in Kenya the Maasai have learned to live in complete harmony with their environment and the wildlife which surrounds them. All round the park are occupied and abandoned manyatta – Maasai villages – quickly built out of bent poles and sticks and plastered with cow dung and equally swiftly abandoned when the grazing is finished and the herds must move on.
Attractions
The snows of Kilimanjaro, white and crystalline, form a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife - lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, buffalo and hosts of plains' game, creating Kenya's most sought after photographer's paradise.
Amboseli is not a large park, but it offers you the best opportunity of seeing endangered black rhino, as well as a spectacular range of wildlife. Most of Amboseli is flat and dusty and the best spots for game viewing are the two swamps.
This National Park has always been a favourite spot for wildlife and is, like Tsavo, elephant country. There are over 1000 elephants in the park eco-system, featuring some of the largest elephant’s population in Africa. There are over 400 bird species.
Best time to visit
All year round.
Getting to Amboseli
By Road: The main road into the park is from Nairobi via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi-Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The road is tarmaced up to Namanga but is murram from Namanga to Meshanani Gate (75km).
The other road is via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi- Mombasa Road. The road is tarmaced up to Emali and murram from Emali to Remito Gate (64 km) Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
By Air: The Park has an airstrip at Empusel gate. There is also an airstrip for light aircraft at the Park Headquarters (Olekelunyiet). Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town.