Guide to Visiting Amboseli National Park
GUIDE TO VISITING AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK “THE LAND OF GIANTS”
Guide to Visiting Amboseli National Park : Amboseli national park popularly known as “the Land of Giants” due to the large herds of elephants with impressively big tusks is one of the best and classic safari destination in both Kenya and African continent. The park has some of the scenic landscapes and splendid views of the majestic Mountain Kilimanjaro, as a traveler below is the guide to visiting Amboseli national park.
Where is Amboseli national park?
Amboseli national park is located in the southern region of Kenya, northwest of Mountain Kilimanjaro and close to the Tanzania – Kenya border. From Nairobi the capital of Kenya and where most safaris to start from, Amboseli national park is in a distance of 365 kilometers/226 miles.
Amboseli national park is in a strategic location making it possible to combine the park with a safari to other national parks and reserve of Kenya including Tsavo West national park, Tsavo East national park, Maasai Mara game reserve and many more.
Distances between Amboseli national park and other Kenya safari destinations
- Tsavo East national park is in a drive of 4 hours
- Tsavo West national park is in a drive of 2 hours
- Maasai Mara national reserve is a drive of 4 hours
How to get to Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is a very accessible Kenya safari destination with various transport options to use to get there, most international travelers on a Kenya safari to Amboseli national park have to fly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) which is the main hub for Kenya and from the airport transfers are usually scheduled between the traveler and the travel agent or company.
From Jomo Kenyatta International airport it is a drive of approximately 3 hours, because of this Amboseli national park is a perfect destination for self drive safaris and can easily be combined with other Kenya safari destinations such as Tsavo East national park, Tsavo West national park and Maasai Mara national reserve.
Amboseli national park fees
Category | Citizens/residents | Non-residents |
Adult | 800 Kshs | 70 US$ |
Child | 200 Kshs | 40 US$ |
Best time to visit Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is a year round Kenya safari destination however dry season is considered to be the best time to visit the park for a Kenya safari, the dry season is experienced from June to October. In this period, the grass cover is very thin and scattered offering excellent views of wildlife found in the park and they are usually seen as they congregate at waterholes to drink water.
History of Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park was discovered as a result of Joseph Thomson a Scottish geologist visiting area, Joseph Thomson was the first explorer to visit the Maasai region in 1883 and during his trip to the shores of Lake Victoria he was mesmerized by the abundance of wildlife the landscape in the area. During the colonial in Kenya, the colonial masters decided to gazette the area as a protected are so as to protect the animals from hunting and the area was established as the Southern Maasai Game reserve. In 1948, Amboseli national park was declared a natural reserve, regardless declaring the area as a protected area the local Maasai people where still allowed to continue living in the reserve. However due to the growth in the population of tourist, the area was upgraded to a national park in 1974
Wildlife in Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is one of the most popular wildlife destinations in Kenya famously known for its large herds of giant elephants with impressive and very big tusks, these elephants roam freely in the dusty plains of Amboseli national park in the morning and evening and during day they are seen foraging in Ol Okenya swamp. Animals found in Amboseli national park include 4 of the big that is lions, cape buffaloes, leopards and the elephants. Others include wild dogs, hyenas, wildebeests, cheetahs, zebras, hippos, giraffes, impalas and many more.
Birdlife in Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park is a good destination for Kenya bird watching safaris hosting morethan 400 bird species recorded to be found in the park, these birds include African swamphen, Common redshank, Dickinson’s kestrel, Eurasian thick-knee, Greater flamingo, Hartlaub’s bustard, Lesser flamingo, Long-toed lapwing, Pangani longclaw, Rufous chatterer, Rufous-bellied heron, Spike-heeled lark, Steel-blue whydah, Taveta golden weaver, Von der Decken’s hornbill, Yellow-necked spurfowl and many more.
What to do in Amboseli national park
Amboseli national park offers a number of exciting Kenya safari activities and these include
- Game viewing
- Bird watching
- Cultural visit
- Hot air balloon safari
Visa Polices to enter Kenya on a safari to Amboseli national park
For international/foreign travelers to enter Kenya on a safari to Amboseli national park you are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your intended departure, another requirement is a valid Visa and Yellow Vaccination Card. Foreign travelers need to have a visa to enter Kenya, a Kenya visa can be applied for online and is received on arrival.
Where to stay in Amboseli national park
In Amboseli national park there is a variety of comfortable accommodation establishments categorized as luxury, midrange and budget so as to fit in the budget of very traveler. These accommodation establishments include safari lodges, tented camps, cottages and campsites.
Accommodations in Amboseli national park include
- Luxury lodges – Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Donyo Lodge, Satao Elerai Camp, Campi ya Kanzi and Tawi Lodge.
- Midrange lodges – Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Kilima Safari Camp and many others
- Budget safari lodges – Kibo safari camp
What to pack for a safari in Amboseli national park
As you plan a safari to Amboseli national park, here are items which should not miss in your safari bags
- Binoculars
- Cameras and lenses
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Mosquito repellents
- Long sleeved blouses, jackets and long trousers
- Over the counter medication such as ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea pills and anti – histamines.
- Quick-dry, loose fit-clothing in natural colors
- Water bottle
- Water proof day pack