Amboseli National Park is one of the best and most popular safari destinations in Kenya.
The name “Amboseli” is derived from a Maasai word, translated to mean “salty dust” due to the white dusty nature of the Amboseli region’s soils.
Amboseli National Park is famous for its large herds of elephants, stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, a paradise for birdwatchers, and abundant wildlife.
The park covers an area of 392 square kilometers and is comprised of several seasonal lakes, including Lake Amboseli, Lake Conch, Lake Kioko, and Lake Simek, among others.
Amboseli National Park was home to the world’s most researched elephant known as “Echo.”
Unfortunately, Echo passed away in 2009 at around 60 years of age. However, the research and study of Echo have greatly contributed to our understanding of elephants and their habitat.
Echo is the subject of many books and documentaries.
Amboseli National Park is characterized by numerous swamps and marshes supplied by water flowing from the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.
Wildlife congregates around these marshes and swamps because they serve as vital water catchment areas even during the dry season.
The marshes also provide a habitat for aquatic birds in the park.
Amboseli is one of the most visited national parks in Kenya.
Entry Fees and Regulations for Amboseli Kenya Park
The entry fees to Amboseli National Park are $60 for foreign non-resident adults and $35 for non-resident children.
Kenyan citizens, East African citizens, and foreign resident adults will pay Kshs 860, while their children will pay Kshs 215.
All foreign residents will be required to provide documentation showing their residency to enjoy the resident rates.
Amboseli History
Amboseli was initially designated as a southern game reserve in 1906 and was handed over to local control in 1948 before being upgraded to a national park in 1974.
Certain areas of Amboseli National Park were feared even by early colonialists due to the warrior spirit and fearless nature of the Maasai people.
Jeremy Thompson became the first European explorer to enter the Maasai community known as “Empusel,” which translates to “salty dust,” in 1883.
UNESCO recognized Amboseli as a World Heritage Site in 1991.
Former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki declared that the park should be managed by the Maasai community that had lived in the park for thousands of years until they were relocated to areas outside the park.
Although he faced criticism for seeking political favor in the upcoming elections, the legal process regarding park management is still being debated in court between the Maasai community and the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Amboseli was once home to a famous elephant known as Tim.
Tim had very long tusks that reached the ground.
Sadly, Tim passed away of natural causes in 2020.
An elephant research camp was established in Amboseli National Park, led by Dr. Cynthia Moss.
The research conducted here has resulted in the “Echo of Elephants” documentary, the book “Elephant Memories,” and another book entitled “The Amboseli Elephant.”
Location and Accessibility of Amboseli Park
Amboseli National Park is located in southern Kajiado County in Kenya.
The park can be accessed by road southeast of Nairobi, with a 4-hour drive covering 240 kilometers. Tourists who prefer to fly can book standard chartered flights to Amboseli airstrip, which takes about 30 minutes.
Animals & Wildlife
Amboseli National Park is renowned as the best place in the world for up-close encounters with free-ranging elephants.
However, the park is also home to other wildlife, including Cape buffalos, blue wildebeests, lions, cheetahs, impalas, Grant’s gazelle, Masai giraffe, spotted hyenas, and many more.
The best times for game drives are early morning and late afternoon.
Night game drives are also available, starting from 6 pm, offering a chance to see nocturnal animals like hyenas, hippos, leopards, and various bird species coming to life.
Activities and Adventures in Amboseli – Top Things to Do
Wildlife Viewing in Amboseli – An Up-Close Encounter
Amboseli National Park provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities for travelers, with sightings of animals such as elephants, lions, gazelles, spotted hyenas, Cape buffalos, cheetahs, common zebras, olive baboons, wildebeests, and many others.
Another way to view wildlife in Amboseli is by taking a hot air balloon safari, usually conducted early in the morning.
Hiking Observation Hill – A Spectacular Vantage Point
Observation Hill, also known as Normatior in the Maasai language, is situated in Amboseli.
It’s the highest point in Amboseli National Park.
Normatior Hill was formed as Mount Kilimanjaro was taking shape when tremors caused an upward movement of part of the earth’s crust, resulting in the formation of many crater lakes and volcanic hills around Mount Kilimanjaro.
A tour of Amboseli National Park would be incomplete without hiking Observation Hill, which offers breathtaking views of the entire park and scenic vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s rooftop.
Meeting the Maasai People of Kenya
The nomadic Maasai pastoralists used to freely roam the plains of Tanzania and Kenya, grazing their livestock and coexisting with wildlife until they were relocated to form national parks, including Amboseli National Park.
The Maasai have now embraced tourism and welcome many tourists to their villages to experience their way of life.
Maasai warriors are very distinctive in their way of dressing and impressive culture.
Tourists can join the villagers in their day-to-day activities such as cooking and cattle grazing, among others.
One of the most interesting aspects of visiting Maasai villages is their unique traditional music and dance.
Supporting the community can be done by purchasing their beautiful handmade crafts as souvenirs or gifts for loved ones.
Birdwatching in Amboseli – A Birder’s Paradise
Amboseli National Park is a birder’s paradise with over 420 species of birds recorded.
Some examples of birds found in the park include the African jacana, yellow-necked spurfowl, long-toed lapwing, spike-heeled lark, lesser flamingoes, African swamp hen, common redshank, greater flamingo, Dickinson’s kestrel, Taveta golden weaver, Pangani longclaw, Eurasian thick-knee, Hartlaub’s bustard, white-faced whistling dove, Egyptian goose, spur-winged goose, cinnamon-breasted bunting, yellow-crowned canary, golden-breasted canary, rosy-throated longclaw, long-billed pipit, chestnut sparrow, Swahili sparrow, purple indigo bird, black-faced waxbill, bronze manikin, yellow-crowned bishop, Zanzibar red bishop, chestnut weaver, red-headed weaver, black-capped social weaver, beautiful sunbird, collared sunbird, eastern violet-backed sunbird, scarlet-chested sunbird, thrush nightingale, spotted morning thrush, pale flycatcher, African dusky flycatcher, golden-breasted starling, red-billed oxpecker, black-lored babbler, garden warbler, rock martin, banded martin, sedge warbler, red-fronted prinia, northern crombec, and foxy lark, to name a few.
Elephant Research Camp – Insights into Amboseli’s Giants
The Elephant Research Camp is situated within the park, and while it’s not open to the general public, elephant enthusiasts and those eager to learn more about elephants can arrange for an hour-long interaction with researchers who will explain Amboseli’s elephants and conservation efforts.
Photography in Amboseli – Capturing Nature’s Beauty
Amboseli National Park’s swamps, lakes, large herds of elephants, and the backdrop of the towering Mount Kilimanjaro provide the most scenic photographic opportunities.
Photographers visiting Kenya shouldn’t miss the chance to capture Africa’s biggest land mammals with the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain.
Guided Nature Walks – Exploring Amboseli’s Wilderness
Guided nature walks at Amboseli can be conducted around Observation Hill.
Amboseli Attractions – Top Things to See
Must-See – Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, primarily located in Tanzania, but many believe that the most dramatic views are from Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
Tourists can combine a visit to Amboseli National Park with climbing Mount Kilimanjaro because the park is close to the Tanzanian border and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not overly strenuous, making it accessible even to inexperienced hikers.
Large Elephant Herds Lakes
Amboseli National Park is home to numerous seasonal lakes that attract various wildlife species, with Lake Amboseli being the largest among these seasonal lakes.
Sinet Delta – A Birder’s Delight
Not far from Observation Hill is the Sinet Delta, the best place for bird-watching in Amboseli National Park and highly recommended for all birders visiting the park.
The Sinet Delta is also home to a larger population of giraffes in the park, thanks to the presence of various acacia trees.
Best Time to Visit Amboseli
Amboseli National Park is suitable for visiting year-round, but some months offer a better experience compared to others.
The best times to visit are from June to September and December to February.
The drier months are favorable for wildlife viewing as vegetation is not as thick.
During the rainy season, some game tracks may become impassable, and vegetation can be too dense.
Some budget tourists prefer to visit during the rainy season because some hotels lower their accommodation rates.
Accommodation Options in Amboseli
There are several lodges for tourists to choose from in Amboseli National Park, catering to various budgets, including budget, luxury, and mid-range options.
Some of the accommodation choices include Oltukai Lodge, Kilimanjaro Guest House, Chui Cottages, Semadep Mara Camp, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Simba Cottages, Gate to Kibo Safari Camp, Tortilis Tented Lodge, Amboseli Campsite, Satao Elerai Lodge, Tawi Lodge, Leopard Tented Camp, Kent Tented Camp, Selenkay Adventure Camp, Kimbla Campsite, Cottar’s Tented Camp, We4 Kenya Guest Houses, Little Amanda Camp, Endonyo Amboseli, Elerai Camp, Kilima Safari Camp, Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, H12 Elephant Gorge, Tawi Lodge, Kilimanjaro Safari Camp, and many others.
