Amboseli National Park is a thrilling destination of Kenya, it is a tourism hot spot and a must-see in any other Kenya Safari, it is strategically located at the country’s border with Tanzania showcasing a backdrop of the Mountain Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest peak, the conservation area is underlined with layers of volcanic rocks from the mountain which are a constant water supply to the ecosystem, it covers an area space of 392 square kilometers and is one of the best places of Africa to see large herds of free-range long tusk African elephants (Loxodonta Africana), it is elevated between 1,100-1,200m meters above sea level and is being managed by the Kenya wildlife service. The park got its name from a local Masai word to means “a place of salt dust”.
Amboseli National Park is one of the oldest national parks of Kenya and was gazette in 1974 as a national park, by 1991 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site as a way of protecting many mammal species within the conservation area. The national park boasts a large biodiverse ecosystem comprised of a semi-arid acacia, open grasses, wetlands, savannah woodlands, and marshy swampy areas which act as habitat to wildlife species including the so-called big five of the wilderness (Elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, and Rhinos) other animal species of the park include hyenas, Jackals, zebras, common elands, giraffes, mongoose, olive baboons, warthogs, cheetahs, black Rhinos to mention a few. The park is a paradise for birders, there are over 400 species of birds that have been recorded in the park including pelicans, ground hornbills, and sunbirds, among others.
The presence of many attractions of the national park presents an opportunity to participate in tourism activities of the national park, Game drives are the primary thing to do while in the ecosystem, these are conducted in sessions in search of wildlife species, except to encounter game and a perfect watch through the open rooftop safari land cruisers, game drives are done in sessions in the morning, afternoon, and evening times. The morning time is the best to experience wildlife when it is most active, on a clear day, you may be chanced to view the glacier mountain backdrop of Mountain Kilimanjaro.
Guided nature walks, a park is a beautiful place in Kenya it is rewarded with an ever-green growth and abundant wildlife species, the walks are led by an experienced guide who will show you the best of the conservation area through its trails. While on walks, it is the best way to go birding in the Amboseli National Park, over 400 species of birds are present here like lesser and greater flamingoes, long-tailed lap claw, African harrier hawks, swamp hens, martial eagles, kingfishers to mention a few.
Hot air balloon safaris in Amboseli National Park are a great experience, this activity is conducted very early in the morning guests get the chance to watch while the balloons are being inflated, the direction of the hot air balloon is determined by the winds hence best done during the dry season when the park receives the most favorable weather conditions.
Birding in Amboseli National Park, there are over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park, the swamp areas are great to see birds, such as egrets, herons, pelicans, African swamp hens, lesser and greater flamingoes, long-toed lapwing, yellow-necked spurfowl, African Jacana, goliath heron, grey crowned cranes, among others, numbers of birds are greater during the wet season when the conservation area receives migratory species.
Amboseli National Park can be visited any time of the year but best during the dry season between December -February and June-September when the trials of the park are much drier and tourism activities at their best for example game drives, guided nature walks, hot air balloon transfers, among others. What to pack for your Kenya wildlife safari to Amboseli National Park includes long-sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof covers for phones and cameras, insect repellants, sunscreen, huts, safari shoes, and any other important items of personal nature.
In conclusion, Amboseli National Park can be reached by road or by air from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, it is approximately 240 kilometres a distance of about 4 hours drive.