Amboseli National Park is one of the top visited conservation areas of Kenya, it is strategically placed in the southern part of the country along the borders with Tanzania, the park is one of the oldest and first parks it was gazette in 1974 as a national park and by 1991 was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Amboseli obtained its name from a local Masai word meaning a dusty place” It is famous for large populations of African elephants with a backdrop of the Mountain Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest mountain.
Amboseli National Park boasts a growing Savannah vegetation including grassy lands, woodlands, dotted scattered acacia trees, and marshy swampy areas these are habitats to several animal species, for example, the Masai giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, buffaloes, zebras, elands, impalas, and over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the national park like African harrier hawks, Martial eagles, sunbirds, grey crowned cranes, greater and lesser flamingoes, to mention a few most of the birds are commonly sighted along marshy swamp areas and in the small forest of the park.
Driving to Amboseli National Park is one way to reach the conservation area, it is advisable to use a 4×4-wheel car drive to beat the tough terrain, from Nairobi city, it takes approximately 365 kilometers a drive of 3-4 hours, the park can be accessed from Nakuru, a distance of approximately 394 kilometers. Drives can be on self-drive, by use of a tour operator, or using public means. The best way to access the Amboseli National Park is by driving to the destination directly from Nairobi city.
Driving to Amboseli National Park is best done during the dry season when the trails of the park are drier and easier to access, pickups by road begin from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or your agreed pickup point from Nairobi.
Besides diving to Amboseli National Park, guests can opt to fly to the conservation area, there are organized domestic flights to and at the nearest airstrip in Amboseli National Park, these begin at the Wilson airport, flights can be scheduled or charter option depending on the guest preference. Flights can be booked directly with the airline or through a tour operator, airlines that offer this service include Air Kenya and Safari Link.
Things to do in Amboseli National Park upon arrival include game drives, which are conducted using 4*4-wheel car drives, this activity will bring you closer to the vast wildlife species, and on a lucky day, you may be chanced to view the big five of the wilderness as well as the backdrop of the glacier Mountain Kilimanjaro. Guided nature walks in the national park, birding experiences over 500 bird species have been recorded in the conservation area, for example, pelicans, ground horn bills, and Lesser and Greater Flamingoes.
In conclusion, driving to Amboseli National Park will take you through the angelic countryside of Kenya passing through rolling beautiful hills and open grasslands to the southern border of Kenya with Tanzania.