Referred as the Land of Giants, the landscapes in Amboseli are magical. Elephants roam freely in groups of more than 20, and thousands of birds flying around and dancing in the air. It is the second most popular Kenya safari destination coming second to Maasai Mara national reserve and a premier destination for Kenya wildlife safari experience. Additionally, due to its smaller size and closer distance to Nairobi, Amboseli has become this quick getaway from the city and an easy place to explore wild Kenya in a limited time.
Located in the Rift Valley region and situated about 240 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, the park is gifted with a backdrop of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro which is the tallest free-standing mountain on the continent of Africa (5,895 meters above the sea level). Amboseli is the place to go given that it has good road conditions, abundant wildlife and lower prices compared to Maasai Mara.
Amboseli national park is one of the amazing Kenya wildlife safari destinations you must visit during a Kenya safari, below are the 5 reasons to why you should visit Amboseli national park.
Big population of elephants
Amboseli national park is a famous Kenya wildlife safari destination for large herds of elephants with impressive tusks. There are over 60 families of elephants in Amboseli national park making a total of over 1,000 elephants. The elephants in Amboseli national park have been individually named, numbered and coded for easy individual recognition. One of the area’s most special sightings is its red elephants, dyed by the ochre-rich soil.
Amboseli national park is a popular home for the biggest free ranging elephants in the world and they can be seen while on a Kenya game viewing safari in the park.
Scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro
Amboseli national park is a very scenic destination boosting spectacular views of Mountain Kilimanjaro and its snow capped peak at 5,895 meters above the sea level. The snow capped peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro dominates the savannah landscape of Amboseli national park almost 6 vertical kilometers above, with large population of big tusked elephants and many other animals with the backdrop of the mighty mountain hidden in the clouds creates a magnificent scenery perfect for photography and sightseeing. Scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro are clearly seen early morning and in the afternoon.
Tree climbing lions
Amboseli national park is one of a few wildlife destinations in Kenya as well as Africa where to find the rare tree climbing lions. The tree climbing lions are often spotted resting on tree branches during Kenya game viewing safari. Amboseli national park is a home to about 100 lions which can easily be seen.
Amboseli is rich with a variety of wildlife
Amboseli national park is one of the most popular destinations for Kenya wildlife tours offer great views of various species of wildlife, the most prominent being the large herds of elephants which roam in the dusty plains of the park. Amboseli national park is a home to more than 50 mammal species including cheetahs, lions, antelopes, spotted hyenas, cape buffaloes, wildebeests, hyena, hippos, grant’s zebra, Masai giraffe, grant’s gazelles, Thomson gazelles among others.
Animals in Amboseli national park thrive in the acacia and savannah woodlands, swamps such as Ekongo Narok swamps, Ol Okenya swamp and others.
A Bird’s Haven
Amboseli national park is also a birder’s haven and a must visit destination during a Kenya birding safari. There are over 400 bird species recorded to be living in the various regions of the park. Amboseli national park has a number of great birding spots such as Sinet Delta, the shores of numerous lakes in the park such as Kioko Lake, Conch Lake and Amboseli Lake, swamps, acacia woodlands and savannah grasslands.
There are a variety of bird species spotted in Amboseli national park during Kenya birding safari such as ostrich, egrets, herons, pelicans, steel-blue whydah, hornbills, African swamphens, common redshanks, and taveta golden weavers, yellow necked spurfowls, long-toed lapwings, yellow necked spurfowls, painted dwarf gecko, Sudan mabuya, graceful chameleon, skink, African stripped skink, lesser kestrel, Madagascar pond heron, lesser flamingo, and many more.
Kenya birding safari in Amboseli national park is best done in the period of November to April when migratory bird species get into the park to join the resident bird species.
Amboseli national park is strategically situated 240 kilometers south of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya which is the starting point of most Kenya safaris, the park is located in Kajiado County stretching to the border of Kenya and Tanzania and neighboring other grand Kenya wildlife destinations such as Tsavo West and Tsavo East national park. Because of the location of Amboseli national park, the park can easily be included in your safari to other Kenya wildlife safari destinations. Amboseli national park can easily be included to the itinerary of your safari to Tsavo East national park or Tsavo West National park.
At Alvex Tours and Travel, we organize customized safaris in Kenya that suit various budgets. Whether you need a quick Amboseli weekend getaway safari in Kenya or a full package multiple days safari to any national parks – our expert tour consultants will offer you the best options. Contact us today on +254 795 449 499 or Send an Email to get more information on safaris in Kenya
