What is Amboseli National Park famous for?

Amboseli National Park is one of the top national parks that are worth visiting on a Kenyan safari and is famous for the largest elephants in Kenya. Located in the southern part of Kenya along the border of Kenya and Tanzania, the national park is close to Mount Kilimanjaro which provides a beautiful backdrop to the park.  Amboseli is home to the largest population of large African elephants in Kenya which are some of the top attractions in the park. The park has quite several safari attractions and a visit to Kenya without visiting Amboseli is an incomplete safari. Established in 1974, it is one of the oldest national parks in the country with a great and rich history dating back to 1906, years back before it was upgraded to a national park status.  Amboseli was declared a nature reserve in 1968. In 1991, Amboseli was declared a World Heritage site to protect the unique and different wildlife species in the park.

Most Popular Safaris

8 Day Tanzania Safari

3 Day Kenya Safari

19 Day Best of Uganda Safari

6 Days Nyungwe & Lake Kivu

18 Day Ultimate Uganda Safari

5 Day Gorilla Habituation & Chimps

5 Days Gorillas & Nile River Source

14 Day Uganda Safari via Kigali

3 Day Serengeti National Park Safari

5 Day Rwanda Gorillas & Culture

4 Day Kenya Game Safari

Amboseli is a Masai word that loosely translates to slate dust and is popularly known for having the largest African elephant herds in Kenya. The elephants in Amboseli are the main attraction and these can be spotted during a game drive through the park. The Amboseli Elephant Research Project is a project that was introduced to study the behaviors of the elephants in their natural habitat and it was initiated by Harvey Croze and Cynthia Moss in 1972 in the national park. The elephants are being protected from poachers and this has increased their population in Kenya and the world.

Amboseli elephants are worth visiting but other safari activities are carried out in Amboseli National Park and these include the following:

Game drives in Amboseli:

This is the most commonly carried out activity in Amboseli and the best experience while on an African safari. Game drives are the best way to explore Amboseli and spot the different wildlife and it is carried out in two sessions the first starting early morning and the second in the afternoon after lunch. The park also offers night drives on request and although the day drives are part of the entrance fees, the fee for the night drives is different. There are a lot of things that you should expect on your game drive however you should be ready for anything because you are in the wild and wildlife is unpredictable. A game drive through Amboseli will take you through the designated parts of the park taking you through the cone-shaped hill, the observation hill and around Lake Amboseli where many of the animals can be spotted especially during the dry season and to the Sinet delta which is the best place to go birding in Amboseli.

Some of the animals that you will be able to spot during the drive include crocodiles, zebras, gazelles, hyenas, buffalos, leopards, giraffes, kudus, cheetahs, zebras and wildebeest among others. The best time to go for game drives in Amboseli is during the dry season from July to October and December to February. This is the time of the year when many wildlife concentrate around watering holes making it easy to spot them. Due to the thinning of the vegetation during the dry season, animals are easy to spot and watch.

Bird watching in Amboseli

Amboseli National Park is a top birding spot in Kenya to over 400 bird species. Some of the bird species you have to look out for when in Amboseli include the Greater flamingo, African swamphen, Lesser flamingo, Rufous chatterer, Steel-blue whydah, Taveta golden weaver, Eurasian flamingo, Long-toed lapwing, Rufous-bellied heron, common redshank, Grey crowned crane, African kingfisher, Goliath heron, Double-banded courser, Mosque sparrow, Spike heeled lark, African fish eagle, Lesser kestrel, Madagascar pond, white-bellied go away bird, yellow-necked spurfowl, Von der Decken’s hornbill and Hartlaub’s bustard among others.

Amboseli is home to some unique bird species and these attract researchers from all over the world to come and study their behaviors. The park is an all-year-round destination for bird watching especially when you spot the endemic and resident bird species. The best time to watch both endemic and migratory bird species is during the rainy season experienced from October to November and March to May and this is because of the availability of bird food during the season. Bird watching is best carried out in the Sinet delta although other bird species can be spotted in the different parts of the National park.

Camping in Amboseli

Camping in Amboseli is a fun activity where tourists get to have a one on one with nature. You get to spend the night in the wilderness surrounded by nature and you also get to spot the nocturnal animals that usually come out at sunset. Many tourists think that camping is for tourists who are traveling on a budget but this is not the case because there is a provision of executive tents with some permanent whereas others are mobile just to give all types of tourists a chance to experience camping in Amboseli. Amboseli National Park has a public area that was designated for camping and tourists can use their tents and sleeping bags which can be hired at a friendly cost.

The tents are pitched right in the middle of the jungle where you can experience the wilderness as elephants stomp outside the camp; hear the lions roar and the chirping birds among others. The advantage of permanent camping in Amboseli is that tourists get to see all the wildlife from the comfort of their balconies.

The public camps are guarded by armed rangers who are well trained to protect both the animals and the campers. The camping is carried out in different parts of the national park and most of them have a capacity of a maximum of 60 people. There are rules when it comes to camping and these are to turn out the fire after bonfires because they affect the animals and never go out of the camp alone at night. The best time to go camping is during the dry season.

Photography and filming

Amboseli National Park is a unique and breathtaking destination offering the best photography and filming areas within the park. From the animals, bird species, the vegetation and the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro which is found in neighboring Tanzania, all these make the best scenery for photography and filming safaris. You have to first seek a filming permit to be able in Amboseli National Park and the two main things that you need for this safari include a camera and binoculars. The safari can be carried out all year round however the best time is during the rainy season when there is more green than the dry season.

Community visits to the Masai villages

A cultural trip to the Masai villages is one of the activities that visitors engage in while on a safari to Amboseli National Park. The Masai people have a unique that you can only enjoy and learn about with a visit to their communities that are situated right outside the national park. The Masai culture is unique, especially with their practices which include preparing their favorite dishes like milk, blood and meat, their shaped Manyattas that are shared like huts, the traditional jumping dance and their colorful dressing. You get to experience all these with a visit to the village but note that you need to first ask permission from the chief and it comes at an extra cost. As you get to the village gates, you will be welcomed by songs and dances from the locals and you can participate in their day to day activities and have chances to buy souvenirs handmade by the locals.

What to pack for an Amboseli National Park safari

• To be able to enjoy a safari in Amboseli, there are essentials that you need with you and these are:
• A camera, although smartphones are now commonly used to take photos the best way to take photos on a safari is by using a good camera with extra batteries, a lens waterproof camera bag and a tripod if possible.
• Binoculars are also essential on a safari used for spotting hidden wildlife and those that are far away from the visitors. Binoculars with About 8x30 magnifications are the best.
• Sun protection gear which includes a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and clothes that cover your skin.
• Safari clothes are some of the things that are essential and these should come in neutral colored clothes. The perfect and best clothes to carry on your safari will depend on the weather however your packing should include long-sleeved shirts, lightweight long trousers, warm sweaters, waterproof rain jackets, socks and round neck shirts.
• Insect repellent to ward off all the bugs in the jungle. There are a lot of mosquitoes within Amboseli and this is why the insect repellent is important.
• Refillable water bottle because you need to keep hydrated and you will also be provided with complimentary bottled water in your safari van. Do not forget to carry your favorite snacks as well.
• A well-equipped first aid kit to help with any medical conditions you might face when in Amboseli. You should also carry prescribed medication from your doctor to be on the safe side.
• A guidebook for those going for bird watching.

Rules and regulations you have to follow when in Amboseli National Park

Different safari activities are carried out in Amboseli National Park and to keep both the wildlife and visitors safe, some rules and regulations have been put in place for tourists to follow and these include:

• You are not allowed/prohibited from feeding the animals
• Ensure that you are healthy and not contagious to protect the animals.
• You are not allowed to leave the safari vehicle at any point unless the guides tell you it’s safe
• The park entrance fees cover the game drives and are valid for 24 hours only
• Avoid making a lot of noise when the animals are nearby. Turn off your phones or put them in flight mode and turn off the car radio as well.
• Do not litter the national park; all rubbish is to be taken out of the Park with you.
• Follow all the guidelines given to you by the guides.

Accommodation in Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park has a variety of accommodation facilities ranging from luxury, mid-range and basic accommodation facilities. These come in the form of hotels, lodges and camps and we have a list of facilities we recommend visitors use when in Amboseli. Note that accommodation has to be booked in advance and we are here to help you make the best selection and some of the facilities we recommend include Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Satao Elerai Camp, Kibo Lodge, Tortilis Camp, Ol Tukai Lodge, Tawi Lodge, AA lodge Amboseli and Sentrim Amboseli Lodge among others.

Getting to Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park can be accessed by either road or air transport depending on the choice that the tourists decide on. Amboseli National Park is 365km from Nairobi and it takes 5 hours drive to get to Amboseli from Nairobi. You can also access Amboseli from Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park and this is a 6 hours drive. Driving can take hours but it is the most commonly used mode of transport offering beautiful scenery and a cheaper option to use.

Apart from driving, you can also access Amboseli National Park by flying to the park. Tourists can gain access to Amboseli by booking chartered flights from Wilson Airport to the Amboseli airstrip.  There are several domestic flights that you can use and these include Air Kenya, Mombasa Air Safari and Safari Link. You will need a valid passport of at least 6 months before expiry to gain access to Amboseli and Kenya. Flying is more convenient but expensive for tourists traveling on a low budget.

Contact us for more information about Amboseli National Park.