A Complete Guide to Amboseli National Park,
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Attractions, & Conservation
Amboseli National Park, formally known as Amboseli Game Reserve, is one of Kenya’s iconic safari destinations (wildlife viewing destinations) – known for its stunning beauty and large herds of elephants. This National Park is located in Loitoktok District, Kajiado County in south-western Kenya, near the border with Tanzania. The Amboseli National Park is the third most popular on Kenya wildlife safari itineraries/Kenya Safari packages after Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park. Amboseli safaris are popular for iconic elephant viewing experiences and the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Beyond elephants, the National Park also hosts impressive numbers of other wildlife species, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and over 420 different bird species.
The Amboseli National Park covers a total land area of about 392.06 km² (39206 ha), encompassing a diverse ecosystem, made up of acacia woodland, rocky thorny bush, swamps, marshland, and a Pleistocene lake, all of which provide refuge to a diverse range of birdlife and wildlife in Kenya. The word ‘‘empusel’’ which means ‘‘salty dust’’ in the local Maasai language, gives the park its name. This National Park was named so because of the dusty dry lake bed that dominates the area, and the dusty environment, especially during the dry season. When planning a vacation to Kenya/a Kenya Wildlife safari/ Kenya Holiday Tour, Amboseli National Park should surely be among the top 3 places to visit in Kenya – especially for wildlife watching/Wildlife viewing in Kenya. The experience in Amboseli is unique as it blend spectacular views of nature with unbeatable wildlife safaris, cultural encounters, and several other activities. Discover Kenya’s Amboseli National Park also know as home to the giants herds of elephants on your next African Tour/ Kenya Trip with Nirvana Safaris.
Amboseli National Park History: Establishments, Local community, & Management
Amboseli was first set aside as a Reserve in 1906 and was managed by then the British Colonial Government. The area covered by then the Southern Reserve (Amboseli Game Reserve) was part of the British East African Protectorate, which was established in 1895. The first European to penetrate this then feared region was Jeremy Thompson who visit the area in 1883. From back in the days, this area was astonishing with a fantastic array of wildlife and contrast between the arid areas of the dry lake bed and the oasis of swamps. As of today, the area is still astonishing with its contrast of dry lake bend and the oasis of the swamps.
After its establishment in 1906, the local Maasai people who originally occupied the area were displaced, and the administration of this region was in the hands of the British colonial administration. The colonial government regulated land use, hunting and later wildlife conservation, which later contributed to its establishment as a National Park.
In 1948, it was declared as a Game Reserve and the control and administration was returned to the local Masai community. It was later gazetted a national park in 1974 by the Kenyan government to protect the core of this unique ecosystem. Later in 1991, this area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Some of the reasons for its UNESCO status include the Unique Hydrology and ecology, an exceptional elephant population, high biodiversity, cultural heritage of the Masai, and Role in community led conservation. After earning $3.5 m (€2.9 m) in 2005 then the Kenyan president (Mwai Kibaki) declared that control of the park should pass from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to the Olkejuado County Council and the Maasai tribe giving the local people full control of the park.
Although there rose several debates about this decision and even legally challenged it in the courts of law, this decision has been a great success in terms of promoting community led conservation. Although as of today, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) remains a vital partner in the operations of the park, the Kajiado County Government is responsible for the management of the park.
Attractions in Amboseli National Park: Wildlife, Birdlife, & Elephants
Wildlife in Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is one of the best places to witness the African elephants and other iconic African wildlife species. Most wildlife safaris in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park are known for their iconic wildlife sightings against some of the best backdrops of the vast savannas and mountains. About 80 different wildlife species live in the park including the famous African Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalos, and elephant), cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, and hyenas among others.
The wildlife in occupy the various habitat including the vast savnna areas and the wetland regions. During wildlife safaris in Amboseli National Park, visitors get the chance to witness the various wildlife species especially the large herds of elephants just a few meters away from their vehicles. When planning a wildlife safari to Kenya, consider booking a Safari/Trip to Amboseli National Park (home to the giants) and experience the famous sighting of large elephant herds and other wildlife.
Birdlife in Amboseli
On top of boasting incredible wildlife numbers, Amboseli also hosts large numbers of birdlife, including rare and migratory species. About 400 different bird species have been recorded within the park boundaries, and impressive array that surely makes it one of the best places to visit for birding safaris in Kenya/bird watching in Kenya. The bird life in the park occupy the diverse environments in the park, including the swamps and grasslands.
Some of the most common species in Amboseli include: Taveta golden weaver, African jacana, African swamp hen, goliath heron, Hartlaub’s bustard, rufous chatterer, Dickinson’s kestrel, greater flamingo, Eurasian thick-knee, Hartlaub’s bustard, lesser flamingo, long-toed lapwing, rufous chatterer, Pangani longclaw, von der Decken’s hornbill, rufous-bellied heron, spike-heeled lark, steel-blue whydah, yellow-necked spurfowl, and common redshank among others. Those looking forward to experiencing Kenya’s avian diversity or looking forward to Kenya birding safaris, Amboseli National Park is a great birding destination. One of the best ways to experience the park’s diverse birdlife is by driving through the park in a customized 484 safari vehicle visiting various birding spots.
Lake Amboseli
Although less popular than its counterparts, like the large herds of elephants, Lake Amboseli is still a top attraction in Amboseli National Park. Lake Amboseli is a temporary lake located in the northwestern region of the park. It occupies the largest part of the park and is known to dry up when the dry season kicks in (between June to October and December to February). Despite being a seasonal lake, it fills up and sometimes floods during the wet season. The lake basin is a great habitat for most wildlife, especially during the dry season.
When to Visit Amboseli National Park: Best time to visit Amboseli National Park
Kenya is a great safari destination year round; however, some months of the year are known to offer the best conditions for safari. Kenya has two seasons, the dry season and the wet season. These seasons come twice each year round and are usually in between each other. The dry seasons are considered the best time for visiting Amboseli National Park and Kenya in general. The longer dry season between June and October is considered the best time to visit Amboseli National Park and Kenya in general for wildlife viewing and all other safari activities.
The other dry season also occurs between December and February, which is also ideal for safaris in Kenya. It is however, important to know that the best time to visit Amboseli National Park can also be influenced by what you are looking forward to seeing during your visit. The dry season is ideal for those looking forward to memorable wildlife viewing in Kenya; however, the wet months of the year are great for bird watching.
During the wet months of the year, the bird activity can be witnessed all over the park and visitors get the chance to see the plumage and birds breeding. It is also perfect for photography since the lush greenery that comes with the wet season offers spectacular backdrops for beautiful pictures.
Getting to Amboseli National Park: How to Get there?
By Road;
The National Park can be accessed by road from Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi. There are five gates to Amboseli (airstrip gate, Kulunyiet gate, Kimana gateiremito gate, and meshananai gate) that can all be accessed just a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. The Meshananai Gate is about 2 ½ hours’ drive from Nairobi. If you opt to use the Kimana Gate, you will drive about 228 kilometers passing through mali to Mombasa which takes you to the Easter part of this park.
Getting to Amboseli National Park by Air
There are several flights from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park. The flight duration from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park can vary depending on several factors; however, flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Amboseli’s airstrip take about 30 to 45 minutes.