Amboseli National Park Management Transfered To Kajiado County
Amboseli National Park Management Transfered To Kajiado County.
The National Government of Kenya has handed over the management of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County Government. Kajiado County is one of the forty-seven counties of Kenya, located in the southern part of Kenya. It borders Tanzania and one of the best Kenya safari destinations, receiving thousands of Kenya tour visitors annually. President Ruto describes the transfer as historic because it will settle the long-standing land ownership and management problem of the park. The president expressed confidence in the community-led conservation approach, saying it will work better and longer and heal deeper in its aim of preserving wildlife and for the betterment of Kenya Tourism industry.
The long-standing dispute, which is over 51 years of Amboseli National Park, had posed serious challenges that had excluded the local community from the park benefits. He said he is proud of the achievement, as the Maa community, who are the locals, will make Amboseli much better than it was before. The handing-over ceremony took place during this year’s Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival, which took place in Kajiado County. During the event, President William Ruto was installed as a Maasai elder, after which he signed a deed of transfer, returning the park from the Kenya Wildlife Service to the management of Kajiado County.
The transfer was done in the presence of other government officials, which included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi; Governors Joseph Ole Lenku of Kajiado County, Jonathan Lati Lelelit of Samburu County, and Patrick Ole Ntutu of Narok; Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano of Tourism, Aden Duale of Health, and Soipan Tuya of Defense; a number of members of Parliament; and the Kajiado County Assembly.
President Ruto assured all the stakeholders that the government of Kenya will always remain committed to wildlife conservation and fulfilling all the international obligations in making Kenya a safari destination, as more visitors will always visit to see wildlife. Under the signed agreement, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute will continue providing various services, such as security, ecological monitoring, and technical oversight, as they do in all other protected Kenya safari destinations. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife will also be providing guidance and technical support to the county government. The president warned the county leaders and the Maa community not to allow politics of division and greed to taint the gains made by the transfer.
The transfer follows long consultations, agreements, capacity assessments, and legal issues led by the Intergovernmental Relations and Technical Committee (IGRTC) and the National Advisory Committee on the formal transfer of Amboseli National Park.
What was Signed in the Transfer Deed?
Transfer Management Roles: The transfer is purely management, not land ownership, as the roles of land ownership are reserved for the National Government through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Kajiado County Government is mandated to plan Amboseli’s 2020 – 2030 Management Plan, which includes ecological integrity, security, facility management, community activities, visitor satisfaction, conflict mitigation, the growth of revenue and compliance with laws and treaties.
Where is Amboseli National Park located?
Amboseli National Park which is also known as the Home of the African Elephant, is a wildlife conservation area located in the southern region of Kenya. It is one of the top safari destinations in Kenya due to its stunning landscapes, which range from swamps and wetlands to the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as its rich biodiversity and diverse wildlife. The park is home to four of the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife species, including lions and numerous bird species. The park is one of the most popular Kenya tour destinations, renowned for its large herds of African elephants, making it an excellent place to view these majestic animals up close during a game drive safari. It is also one of the best parks in Kenya for wildlife photography, flanked by the background view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. Another top attraction of Amboseli National Park is the unique Maasai culture of the surrounding people, who are often seen wearing red or blue shukas, beads, and sandals.
When was Amboseli National Park Established?
Amboseli National Park, which covers approximately 392 square kilometers, was gazetted in 1974; it was later recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991, and it is being managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Maasai people, who are the local community, have always regarded Amboseli as their ancestral land, which was previously grazed before the colonial demarcation.
After the gazettement, the National Park was restricted, which led to the exclusion of local communities and unfulfilled promises .
Why did the transfer of Amboseli National Park take so long?
In October 2023, President William Ruto renewed hopes for the transfer of Amboseli National Park back to the people of Kajiado County; however, the transfer deed was not signed until November 8, 2025. After the president’s announcement, an inter-agency consultation started between the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the Council of Governors, and Kajiado Country Government and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The discussion was to ensure the handover was in accordance with the constitution and conservation frameworks.
Some of the challenges included the need to amend the gazette notices, to form a new management plan, and to agree on revenue sharing, staffing and conservation standards.
Things to do in Amboseli National Park
There are a variety of Kenya safari at Amboseli National Park which include:
Guided Safaris
The Game drives safaris are the most popular ways to explore Amboseli National Park. The early morning and late afternoon game drives are the best time for wildlife sightings as the animals are more active during this time. Hot air balloon safaris are the best, though expensive , way to view Amboseli from the bird’s eye view. Walking safaris in Amboseli, which are mostly done by the local Maasai, provide a close experience with nature.
Photography safaris
Amboseli National park’s unique light and scenery make it a great safari in Kenya, a destination for photography. It is also a birding safari in kenya destinations with over 500 bird species with the best time for bird watching being during migration season.
Cultural Safaris
Amboseli National park is also home to a great cultural visit where Kenya safari tour visitors visit the Maasai villages to learn and interact with the Maasai people.
Conclusion
Book today your Kenya safari to Amboseli National Park, one of the best Kenya wildlife safari destinations in Africa. Focus East Africa safari has the best safari itineraries that have been customized to fit into your wishes while offering the best memorable experience you can ever get.
