Visit the Amboseli National Park if you want to enjoy a safari in Kenya that you will never forget.
This breathtakingly beautiful region was founded as a game reserve more than 50 years ago and it was finally given National Park Recognition back in 1974. In 1991 this Kenyan national treasure was designated as a Biosphere Reserve.
Amboseli is found on the border that is shared by Kenya and Tanzania, and is just slightly to the northwest of towering Mount Kilimanjaro. A tour of the park can be done in as little as one weekend, but it would take much longer to experience all that it has to offer. Today Amboseli National Park extends over nearly 400 square kilometers and it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Â This park is the heart of an extensive ecosystem that covers more than 8000 square kilometers.
The swamps, low annual rainfall and abundant vegetation have combined to make this one of the best wildlife habitats on the African continent. Two of the five largest swamps are protected and there is even a lakebed at the park that dates back to the Pleistocene Era.
The contrast between the parched, arid lakebed and the lushness of the surrounding vegetation is a startling sight that never fails to impress the many travelers who visit this region.
Part of the tour will take you across some of the dry lakebeds. The panoramic views and the diversity of the native flora are enough to make this an exciting and interesting destination. Even so, it is the wildlife that people long to see.
Visitors come to the park for the opportunity to observe some of the many different animal species that co-exist in this magnificent paradise. You can expect to see a large variety of birds and grazing herds of wildebeest during your tour. Amboseli is also famous for the elephants that live in the reserve, and visitors to the park can experience close encounters with these free range dwelling animals. There are also lions, giraffes, zebras and hyenas for you to see.
The weather is generally very dry and hot with the average temperature ranging from 27C in the colder months to 33C during the warmer months. The rainy seasons are in April-May and November-December and in a year the annual rainfall is between 300-350mm.
Top Tips to Remember when visiting Amboseli National Park
- The Masaii are friendly and enjoy talking with visitors but do respect their customs and always ask before taking their pictures.
- Dress for the weather. Wear light reflective clothing that protects you from the overhead sun.
- Always carry water with you whenever possible. A clip on water bottle, or backpack, makes this easy to do.
- Have a camera and plenty of film with you. If you are using a digital camera make sure that you have extra batteries.
- Listen to your safari tour guide at all times, and never get out of the vehicle unless you are specifically told that it is safe to do so.
- Do not try to hurry through a tour, because you will miss the most important elements.
- The Masaii people welcome visitors with some wonderful songs and dances. They also have souvenirs that you are going to be encouraged to buy. You do not have to buy anything, but these really do not cost that much and it is a nice gesture if you do.
- Remember that you will be observing animals in their natural habitat. You might see hyenas eating or attacking an animal, so be alert, especially if you (or your kids) are easily upset by such sights.
This is the 3rd most popular wildlife attraction in Kenya, ranking just behind Nakuru National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve. At Amboseli National Park additional features include Mount Kilimanjaro views and interactions with locals who are members of Masaii tribes.
