Amboseli is a destination well known for its great giants; it’s characterized to be a place of dry plains that covers an extensive area. The local people that settle around this place are known as the Maasai although other people have joined them because of its tourist attraction and intensive agriculture that is carried out. It has the best wildlife encounter with species of birds such as crakes, pelicans, water birds, kingfishers and many more. The park is the smallest in Kenya although offers you a wonderful chance to view the black rhino along with other wildlife.
Amboseli has a large population of elephants that move in big herds, the swamplands are a habitat to the tusked bulls that enjoy this natural environment. Although the most amazing feature in Amboseli is Mt Kilimanjaro that attracts many tourists.
Mt Kilimanjaro is the largest Mountain in Africa and its located close to the border in Tanzania.Amboseli is the best spot where you clearly see the snow-capped peak, the wildlife along with the lush vegetation. The most amazing aspect about this Mountain is that during the time of dawn, the surrounding of the mountain is to dark for anyone to identify but the snows have an earthly pink.
The scenic beauty of Kilimanjaro is seen by the large herds of elephants that transverse the plains of Amboseli.The beauty of Africa is captured at this point, all that you see is just beautiful and memorable.
Besides the big herds of elephants, the park is a habitat to many wildlife such as zebra, impala and the wildebeest that cross over to the plains to look for pasture and water.Beacause of the acacia forest that surrounds the area, this has been a big attraction of different types of birds and other small mammals like cheetah can easily be spotted at this park.
The park is situated right in the heart of the big hill; this spot has magnificent views of the entire landscape, often transverse by the hurricane that sends a meandering line of dust into the sky. The area is wonderful for forest walk with better accommodation facilities and services offered to the visitors. You may decide to tour the local villages of the Maasai and see how they live their lifestyle.
How to get to Amboseli
Amboseli takes about 4 hours from Nairobi; the closest town is Namanga that borders both Kenya and Tanzania. The means of transport include buses along with the Matatus from Nairobi to Namanga and other surrendering locations.
Depending on what you want, you can organize your own private vehicle from Nairobi to Arusha Tanzania, which goes through Namang.If not there are planned flights from Nairobi as well as the coast. It has its own airstrip that is also used by business people.
Ambosli National Park is quite difficult to access without private means of transport. The only way to enjoy your tour in the park is by booking with a safari tour company from Nairobi that will give the best guide and still make you experience a great time.
Private vehicles are welcomed in the park although it’s a bit dusty when driving from Namanga to the park. Besides the parks, the roads are well maintained with beautiful scenery of the countryside.
Where to stay in Amboseli
When it comes to accommodation, it ranges from lodges as well as campsites. Its budget friendly that will surely suit your preferences. The campsites are amazing and all you have to do is to set up you tent and enjoy the wild at night. Safari lodges, luxury tented camps have better services and facilities, a private camp can be organized for you depending on what you want. The experience is worth it and you will surely enjoy every moment in Amboseli.
What to do in Amboseli
Wildlife Safari
The only way to delight in Amboseli is by organizing a wildlife safari; every tourist that has been to this place will tell you the wonders of this park. You will be welcomed by the large herds of elephants that move with their little ones. This magnificent park has a scenic view of the snow capped peak of Kilimajaro as well as the huge open plains that makes the landscape so amazing. You can get to Amboseli right from Nairobi, it’s a small park but with beautiful open plains that make game viewing so interesting and adventurous.
The park is a home to the large population of elephants, its one creature that you can’t miss seeing on your game drive. Each ever corner of the park you drive to, you will spot a herd of elephant. Since they surround the entire park, this gives you a chance to see and learn how they relate and behave in their natural habitat. With the help of an experienced guide, you will get the necessary information and know the hierarchy of different groups of elephants and their regular communal interaction.
The battle of supremacy between the tusked bulls is exciting; they usually fight for power as they all want to be leaders. Taking on a safari to Amboseli will surely enlighten you on the beauty and importance of these elephants to the society. It’s one amazing creature that excites on any safari. Besides the Elephants, you will appreciate the beauty of the swamplands as well as the acacia forests that are a habitat to a large number of bird species. The wide open plains of Amboseli attract big numbers of wildlife that come for pasture and water and among these include impala, zebra, wildebeest and others.Cheetah are easily seen either resting or hunting. The experience is for a lifetime.
The park has its time that will make you see the wildlife without missing any. The best time is usually early morning and late afternoon, as you enjoy your game drive you will meet many in their natural setting. During midday, the heat is lot and many of the elephants and other animals visit the water bodies to cool off the heat and relax. If you took a drive around the park, you may not see any wildlife. Very early in the morning and later afternoon is the best time to acknowledge the memorable experience of true Africa as a continent full of beautiful attractions.
The best way to catch a glimpse of the wildlife is in tailored vehicles, they are spacious with open topped roofs that will give you a clear of the view of the elephants and still take beautiful photographys.The lodges as well as camps have a wonderful view of the game as you sit and relax.
Different safari lodges or camps can organize guided game walks, this is usually done at the outer edge of the park and the observation is amazing at this spot. You encounter with the bush at its best as you listen to the sounds of the birds and see different flowers. The experience is for a lifetime. A reliable safari operator will enable you see that particular animal you have been dreaming about and take you to the best spot for birdwatching.This can be got by contacting a tour company that has experience about the park.
Trekking / Foot Safari in Amboseli
Game hikes as well as walks can be arranged by different lodges and camps, but this is usually outside the park.Amboseli is the best destination good for game viewing on foot with an experienced guide, you will encounter the wilderness of Africa as you get a closer look to the wild game big or small in their environment. Foot safari is one of its kind and must be experienced to explore the beauty of the area.
A guided foot safari is the most amazing way to discover and experience the African bush. As you walk through the forest, you will come across wildlife that is so pure and beautiful. You will easily sense the big game by its sound and you will love the cool wind of swaying trees together with the natural smell of the unspoiled earth. Experienced guides will give you the best directions to take and how to cover up your scent by use of the wind, silence and steady movement will enable you catch a closer view of the game.
As you get personal or closer to the game, you are full of excitement and at this point you get to see how the animal feeds, plays and rests in its environment. Just in case you are threatened by the presence of the animals, you may feel an adrenaline rush all over your body. The best encounter you can get when in this park is having a close experience with the great elephants, buffaloes as well as lions. You will feel as though your dream has come to reality. We all love life and as you plan for your foot safari, endeavour to get a trained and experienced guide that will give the best of your safari without any inconveniences
Elephant Watching in Amboseli
A safari particularly for elephant viewing can be organized at Amboseli lodges and camps; this can be done with expert guide that is familiar with all corners of the park. The elephant watching safari will enable you see a solitary herd as well as creature by creature. The best time to see these wildlife is early morning and later afternoon, you will get a good view of them moving around the park and still learn lot about them. The experience is for a lifetime.
Bird Watching in Kenya Amboseli
Besides elephants, Amboseli is also famous for its bird species; it has about 400 different species of which 40 are raptors. Common species in the park include darters and heron that surround the wetlands, lesser flamingos in addition to the birds of prey known as the Martial Eagles.
Where to Eat in Amboseli
Amboseli’s accommodation that includes camps and lodges have full board services with meals, they serve both local and international cruisines.Majority of the lodges and camps have a setting of exceptional bush dinners or even breakfasts. Meals are at times served in the wilderness depending on what you want.
Many safari companies offer camp facilities and services and these will make your safari adventureous.Campfire can be set up at anytime to keep you warm as you enjoy the evening. In case you want to prepare your own food, you can visit Namanga and so some shopping.
As you visit the community of the Maasai, you will surely love their traditional food. They feed on sour milk or at times on fresh blood from a cow or any animal. As a visitor you may try out their special dish. The experience is so memorable and for a lifetime.
Cultural Safari in Amboseli
Amboseli is situated in the southern Kenyan Maasai Land. They are so close to the border and that is why the Maasai keep moving with their cattle from Kenya to Tanzania. The safari lodges and camps work directly with the local Maasai; they are called upon for guided walks around visiting the schools, villages as well as communities that surround the park. This is the best chance to meet and interact with the Maasai people and they will tell you how they live their lifestyle.
Amboseli is a settlement well known for the Maasai.Oloitokitok is the major town center for the Maasai surrounded with a beautiful scenery of Mt Kilimanjaro. The town has many active markets that draw many Maasai along with other people from the neighboring areas. The only color that will be seen in the market will red clothes that are known as shukkas.A cultural safari will give great experience of how people in Kenya live their lifestyle.