Amboseli National Park Safari at the Foot of Mount Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park Safari at the Foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli National Park, located in the heart of East Africa, is a legendary safari destination that provides a safari experience like no other. It contains huge elephant herds and has the most impressive views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The national park offers an array of dramatic scenery, intense wildlife viewing, and world-class photographic opportunities.
Though it is located in Kenya, Amboseli is situated at the northern base of the Tanzanian mountain; however, Amboseli National Park gives visitors an opportunity to actually see the highest peak in Africa, the ‘Roof of Africa,’ rising out of the vast, dusty plains. To go on a safari here is to enter an ecosystem that uniquely benefits from the snowmelt of a gigantic mountain, making it one of the “must-see” highlights for any traveler after the classic East African safari experience.
The Iconic Backdrop: Mount Kilimanjaro.
The single feature that defines an Amboseli safari is, without doubt, the presence of Mount Kilimanjaro. While the mountain is situated in the adjacent country of Tanzania, Amboseli National Park affords photographers the best chance in the world to photograph the mountain. Its sheer size is staggering and will dominate the horizon in every direction. However, displaying the full beauty of Kibo Peak requires a little timing and luck.
Later in the day, the mountain tends to be obscured in clouds and heat. The best time to see and photograph the peak is in the morning or evening when the air is clearest and the sun lights up the glacial cap with a magnificent golden or pink glow. The majestic scenery of the vast white cap rising over the dry plains creates the most wonderful safari images possible.
The Kingdom of Elephants—Herds of Giants
Amboseli is known as “The Land of Giants,” and that is why! The park is world-famous for hosting perhaps the highest density of free-ranging elephants in the world. Visitors will not be disappointed with ubiquitous sightings of herds of these magnificent animals. Due to the park being relatively small and the vegetation being sparse, elephants can easily be seen moving about in big family groups.
In fact, not only is the elephant population in Amboseli incredibly relaxed and accustomed to safari vehicles, but this population has also been studied for over 40 years. It is some of the most enjoyable viewing to see an immense bull elephant or a matriarch leading her extended family across the plains, quite often with Kilimanjaro looming in the background. While watching these magnificent moments unfold, every safari-goer witnesses something that will tug at the heartstrings and leave a long-lasting image worthy of memory encased in the warmth of safari joy.
The Ecosystem of Swamps and Plains: A Unique Environment.
The Amboseli ecosystem is an anomaly, being found in a semi-arid, dusty region comprising dry lands and lush wetlands, where the park’s water is sourced not from rain but from a complex system of underground springs and streams, which are fed from the melting ice cap of Kilimanjaro.
These underground springs create permanent and life-sustaining swamps and marshes, which become green oases in the otherwise arid landscape and draw wildlife to them, especially during the dry season. The contrast of the parched shimmering salt flats and wet green swamps is remarkable. Game drives will take you to the necessary water sources, where you may often find hippopotamuses cooling off in the water, a herd of buffaloes waddling about in the mud, and abundant water birds all competing for space, all while elephants come to drink and bathe. These water sources create a unique hydrological system that guarantees superb game viewing year-round, even when there is no seasonal rain.
Elephants Not Included: An Abundance of Game
While elephants exclusively capture attention, the plains of Amboseli have plenty of other quintessential African animals. The park is home to four of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, and elephant; rhino is not common in the park). Various predators can be found around, including lions, among others. Large herds of plains game, such as blue wildebeests, Burchell’s zebras, and Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, create a spectacle of thrumming movement across the savanna. Amboseli is also a haven for bird lovers, with over 400 species documented, including pelicans, flamingos, and many raptors who rely on the swamp habitat.
Planning Your Amboseli Safari
The most favorable time to visit Amboseli is during the dry seasons, which are from June to October and January to February. At this time of the year, wildlife is easier to locate while the vegetation is less dense, and your chances for unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro are also best. Amboseli can be hot in the daytime, so pack light, neutral-colored clothes, but do not forget to bring a warm jacket to wear in the cold early mornings and evenings when you are out on game drives.
Safaris are usually conducted in specialized 4×4 safari vehicles that have an open top for the best viewing and photography. Your day will include an essential early morning drive to see sunrise and active wildlife, relaxing during the midday heat, and then back out for the later afternoon drive to enjoy one of Africa’s spectacular sunsets. An Amboseli safari is definitely iconic, with the incredible size of a world-famous destination, as well as the variety of savanna ecosystems with Focus East Africa Tours.
