Amboseli National Park is also called Masai Amboseli Game Reserve and is located in Kenya. The park is spread across the Tanzania-Kenya border. The locals who reside in the villages surrounding the area are called Masai. However, they are not the only inhabitants there. Other people from different parts of the country have also settled there. It is a low rainfall area that makes wildlife viewing one of the best experiences for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. There are around 400 species of birds alone in the region, apart from at least 47 raptors.
The park encloses two swamps along with a Pleistocene Lake. The park is located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park has no dearth of water supply from the underground rocks, which comprise volcanic rocks as well. However, the land there has also seen huge temperatures. The otherwise swampy area has also seen dusty land take over. You can watch the massive elephants at close range only at Amboseli National Park. The land is divided into several different kinds of vegetation, that includes open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, marshlands, and swamps.
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Kenya
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Nearest Airport
Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
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Wildlife Sighting Index
Kenya
10/10 for Lion & Cheetah sighting
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Beauty of Forest Index
Kenya
10/10 Beauty of Forest
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Standard of Infrastructure Index
Kenya
8/10 Stay & Amenities
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Bookings Open
Kenya
120 Days in Advance
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Flora of Amboseli
You will be amazed to know, that Amboseli National Park is home to more than 300 species of plants. The plants are distributed across the five different habitats found there. The park is located on the dry wind side of the free-standing Mt Kilimanjaro. Thus, you can visit the park at all times of the year. The place is dominated by an arid and dry types of climates. There are different varieties of plants at Amboseli National Park. Some of the plants are medicinal in nature. You will be able to identify the plants according to their habitat where it grows.
- Sueda Monica
- Ornithogalium donaldsonii,
- Acacia
- leguminous trees
- Acacia spp
- Croton
- Mellia
- Commiphora
- Acacia Drepanolobium
- Sausage tree
- Argemone Mexicana weeds
- Elionurus weeds
Fauna of Amboseli
Apart from varied flora, you can spot varied species of fauna as well, in Amboseli National Park. The park is most well-known for hosting the largest land mammals, elephants. It is also quite popularly known as the land of African elephants. You will be able to chance upon large herds of elephants in the park. You can catch them playing on the banks of the swamps and ponds. There are more than 900 free elephants inside the park. Apart from the big elephants, you will also find lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloes inside the park. The fertile spots of land inside the park, house animals of varying habitats. You will find many water animals and grassland grazers as well over there. Apart from the big predators and the elephants, you will find several different animal species inside the park. You will also find a huge variety of birds at the park, as well. So, that is the reason why many bird watchers head there today.
- Gazelles,
- Wildebeest
- Zebras
- Topis
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- White-backed Duck
- Garganey
- Northern Shoveler
- Cape Teal
- Maccoa Duck
- Cheetahs
- Spotted Hyena
- Masai Giraffe
- Baboons
- Southern Pochard
- Greater Flamingo
- Rock Pigeon
- Tambourine Dove
- Kori Bustard
- White-browed Coucal
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Explore The Known and Unknown of Amboseli National Park
There are several activities, that you can be a part of in the park. You should know about them in detail.
Game Drives or Safaris are quite common inside the park. You can watch the animals in action, during the two game drives. One of them, is the morning game drive, and the other is the evening game drive. In the morning, the animals are very lively. In the evening, you can watch the predators hunting and outside their hideouts. Bird watching is another favourite pastime for many people. May to June and October to December are the best times to watch the birds.
You will be amazed to know that Amboseli is one of those places where you can enjoy walking safaris, with a ranger in tow. These guided nature walks will help you to see the various types of vegetation, up, close, and personal. You can watch the herbivores and the big elephants from a distance.
You can also enjoy Balloon Safaris. Explore the massive park, with its varied topography from atop the hot air balloons. You may also see some predators in action at that very moment. A boat cruise is also one of the activities that you should engage in. The animals head to the waterholes to quench their thirst, and that is where you can catch them in action.
You can also engage in Masai Cultural tours. The park is surrounded and well-protected by the Masai tribe. You can visit their homes to learn more about their culture and way of life. You can also participate in reforestation activities with them. You can also venture out on a safari after dark, when the sky turns orange-pink.
Better still, if you are active in nature and an adventurist, you should try to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a free-standing mountain which is also the highest one in the world. You can also check out the three volcanic cones on the way – Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo.
After you are back from your day trips in the park, you can also engage in traditional dances at the camping or your accommodation sites.
Amboseli National Park Safari Booking
You can venture out on a Game Drive, which is on, all day long. However, it is best to go there in the morning to spot the wild animals. The safaris start at 6.30 am and go on till 11.30 am. Thereafter, the safaris start at 2 pm and end at 6.30 pm. During the daytime, you will be able to spot many animals like servals, hyenas, jackals, and baboons. The best time to visit Amboseli National Park, is between June and October. It is the dry season there.
How to reach Amboseli National Park
Within the Domestic circuit, you can catch a flight from Nairobi to Amboseli’s airstrip. There are options to take flights from Tsavo West and Masai Mara. You can catch domestic flights from Wilson Airport.
If you are an international traveller you should head to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Another airport where you can disembark is Moi International Airport. From there, you can head to the park by car.
Amboseli is located around 365 km from Nairobi. You can self-drive from Nairobi to Amboseli, if you want to.
Resorts at Amboseli National Park
There is no dearth of lodges at Amboseli National Park. You can access some of the most high-end accommodations, like Tortilis Camp which has 18 tented rooms. You can get close to the elephants from there. In the mid-range, you can make a booking at Satao Elerai offers 17 cottages and suites. Amboseli Serena Lodge is another prime accommodation, which is located inside the park. Nothing can beat your wildlife experience, if you happen to stay at this accommodation. If you are very value-conscious, you can head to Ol Tukai Lodge, Selenkay Gamewatchers Adventure Camp and Amboseli Sopa Lodge.