An Expert’s Guide to Amboseli National Park: Several safari travelers wonder if Amboseli National Park is worth seeing as part of their Kenya safari itinerary. Here are our professional comments on this small yet wonderful safari site in southern Kenya, near the Tanzanian border.
With the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, you may view anything from lush primaeval wetlands to vast, parched grasslands. ‘Amboseli’ is an English version of the Maa term Empusel, which means ‘salty, dry land’, although subterranean streams pouring from Kili’s melting ice cap maintain certain portions of the park well supplied with water, attracting elephants and a variety of species.
Sections of the wooded marsh have been cordoned off to keep elephants from eating down the trees and to give the vegetation time to regenerate. During the lengthy rains between March and April, the arid plain may transform into a small lake teeming with wading birds (400 species alone). Amboseli is relatively tiny, making it simple for rangers to police and well-kept.
Amboseli is an excellent choice for first-time safari-goers or visitors to Kenya. Its small size allows you to visit almost every feature in around two days, and its proximity to Nairobi means you don’t have to follow a long-haul journey with a long drive or another long flight. Short-haul flights from Wilson Airport to the Amboseli airstrip take less than an hour in a small aircraft.
Amboseli national park is an ideal site to begin your Kenya safari. Because of its proximity to Nairobi, many Kenyans travel through on weekends and school holidays. You may encounter traffic congestion during Easter and Christmas, therefore your expert tour consultants will assist you in planning your journey accordingly.
What wildlife can I see in Amboseli National Park?
The wildlife’s diversity reflects the landscape’s diversity. Elephants are frequently seen, and many are recognized by name by the guides since they have been examined by researchers at the Amboseli Elephant Research Center. There is also a baboon research institute where you may learn more about these very gregarious, curious, and clever monkeys.
We cannot guarantee the Big 5 in Amboseli national park since leopards and rhinos are almost non-existent. However, don’t be put off because they may also be found in other parts of Kenya. You won’t see the oddly shaped gerenuk either, because they prefer the aridity of Samburu in the north.
However, you should see plenty of birds, bat-eared foxes (a very unusual occurrence), giraffe, lion, buffalo, cheetah, and non-migrating wildebeest. Amboseli national park is great for getting your game-spotting eye ‘in’.
Look for Thomson’s gazelles and how they vary from impalas; Maasai giraffes; Burchell’s or plains zebras; and plenty of spotted hyena (called as ‘spotties’ – there are no brown hyenas here).
Can I see Mount Kilimanjaro when in Amboseli National Park?
Though Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, Kenya offers the greatest views of the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and Africa’s highest peak. Due to its proximity to the Tanzanian border, Amboseli national park has the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
However, because Kilimanjaro is 5,895 meters / 19,341 feet high, its summit is almost always shrouded in cloud. Your best chance of seeing the peak is at dawn, when conditions may have cleared overnight, so don’t miss the early-morning game drives!
Remember that professional photographers spend countless hours in the field capturing the ideal image, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself or be upset if you can’t match what they discover in weeks or months.
Where can I stay during my Visit to Amboseli National Park?
Amboseli national park has quite a number of accommodations where you can lodge during your stay in the park; and these range from budget, midrange and luxury lodges and camps. Some accommodations in the park include; Tortilis Camp, Porini Amboseli Camp, Satao Elerai Camp, Little Amanya, and Amboseli Sopa Lodge among others.
When is the best time to visit Amboseli National Park?
The best time for wildlife viewing in Amboseli National Park is during June to October. During this time, the grass is shorter and it’s sunnier hence making game viewing easier. Between November to May is the low season and it’s rainy during this time in the park, which makes it a great time for bird watching tours in the park.
In summary; Amboseli national park is an excellent starting point for a trip to the Masai Mara, particularly for first-time travelers to Africa. Contact one of our expert tour consultants at Explore Rwanda Tours to help you arrange an itinerary that is perfect for you.
