Amboseli National Park/Amboseli National Reserve
Location: Kajiando district 238 Km from Nairobi.
Amboseli National Reserve(Amboseli National Park) borders Tanzania to
the south. The name Amboseli comes from the Maasai place name, Empusel, meaning open plain.
Amboseli National park is managed by KWS
(Kenya Wildlife service) on behalf of the central government.
The local people around
the park are the nomadic Maasai. The Maasai way of life is
compatible with wildlife conservation. Most of the
conservation areas in Kenya are located in Maasai Reserves. A
visit to Amboseli is not complete without visiting the Maasai
homesteads.
Area:
392 Km²
Gazetted: Amboseli Park was gazetted in 1974 but in 2005 the park
management reverted to Okejiando County council, thus the name
changed to once more to Amboseli National Reserve. It had been a reserve since 1948. It
is the best place to photograph the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro
(5985M). The
reserve
is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty -
the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.
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Getting
to Amboseli National Park:
The Park/ Reserve can be
accessed by use of roads or by air.
Roads-Driving:
-
Nairobi
to_Namanga (240 km tarmac) on the Nairobi - Namanga Road,
via Meshanani Gate (75km).
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Nairobi_Emali
(228 km tarmc) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road, via Remito Gate (64
km)
-
Mombasa through
Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.
Flying to Amboseli National Park
Airstrips:
The Reserve has an airstrip at Empusel gate. Others
are Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge and Namanga town. Flights to Amboseli
National park originates from Nairobi's Wilson Airport and Moi
Airport Mombasa.
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Mt Kilimanjaro
from Amboseli |
Climate of Amboseli
Being on the leeward side
of Mt Kilimanjaro, Amboseli experiences a modified tropical climate.
The are is hot and dry(arid) with an annual rainfall of 300
mm. The hotest month- September has averages of 30 degrees
centigrade and the coolest month have 27 degrees centigrade.
Amboseli experiences two rainy seasons-Arpil/ May; November
December. Evaporations rates are very high. The
Aridity of the area makes ideal for game sighting. During the
dry months, animals congregate on the swamps.
The Habitats in Amboseli
National Park/ Reserve:
Amboseli National
Reserve has 5 main habitats.
Physical
features and attractions in the park:
The main physical features
in Amboseli Reserve are
-
Splendid
views of the Mt.Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru.
-
swamps-
OloKenya, EnKongo Narok, Oltukai, which serve as livelihood of
this otherwise dissolute park. They are also inhabited by
hippos and attract large numbers of birds.
-
Lake
Amboseli-dry filling only during the rainy season
-
Observation
hill
-
Mt Meru in Tanzania.
Mammals of Amboseli
National park:
The Park has a large mammal population. Among
the species to be found here are
elephants, zebra, gnu, hippopotamus, buffalo, spotted hyena,
waterbuck, Maasai giraffe, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, impala,
lion and cheetah. gerenuk, fringed-eared, duikers, aardwolf, spotted hyena,
lions, buffaloes, baboons, bush baby, serval cat, caracal, leopard,
jackals.
Part of the Amboseli attractions are the nomadic Maasai herdsmen with their
domestic stock in close vicinity of predators.
Amboseli Elephants
Amboseli National Park/Reserve is the home of the most celebrated
and longest studied elephants population in the World. Due to
absence of poaching and culling, Amboseli elephants are the only
ones with animals spanning the whole age range- newborn calves, old
matriarchs in their 60s, and unusually many large adult bulls in
their 40s, 50s and even 60s. Currently, the Amboseli population
comprises of approximately 2000 individuals in 54 families and over
211 independent adult bulls. Just like
Gorilla Safaris, the above is a
good reason why a safari to Amboseli is a must do for any visitor to
East Africa.
Profusion
of bird- life - 420 species of birds recorded.
Vegetation:
One of the main challenge to continued existence of Amboseli
National Park is poor vegetation
regeneration. This is attributed to its dryness being on the
leeward side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and saline soils which are not ideal
for vegetation growth. Coupled with this Amboseli National
Reserve boosts of the largest herd of elephant
population in Kenya which have cleared all the trees leaving glass and bare
ground.
Activities to undertake in Amboseli National Park:
Game drives
are conducted through out the day. The best times to see
animals is early in the morning and evenings. During the heat
of the day animals will congregate in the swamps. With over
400 recorded species of birds, Amboseli is an ideal destination for
birding. Nature walks are conducted to the
observation hill. Most of the lodges will offer
traditional dances in the evenings. Balloon
safaris are conducted very early in the morning.
Visits to the local people are best conducted in the
afternoon. In these visits, you learn about the Maasai way of
life. During your visit you can also participate in the
re-a forestation programme by planting a seedling.
Accommodation/Lodges:
Lodges:
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Amboseli Serena Lodge :-Amboseli Serena Lodge has a
total of 92 rooms. The lodge offers:- Bush Dinners; Sundowners at Observation Hill; Private picnics;
specialist cultural entertainments; Full housekeeping services
(laundry, valet, babysitting on request );Full medical back-up
and emergency evacuation facilities; Africana Gift Shop; Beauty
treatments, massage and hairdressing; Swimming Pool, nature
walks, jogging trails, bird watching and game drives; Forex
facilities;Full library of books on Africa.
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Amboseli
Sopa Lodge : Nestled in 190 acres of wooded Maasai land, the
lodge sits on the foot hills of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt
Kilimanjaro four hours drive from Nairobi. Mature
wooded gardens with a variety of trees and plants, from thorn
trees and acacias, to fragrant frangipanis, colourful
bougainvillea and giant cactus plants thrive in these
surroundings. Different species of birds build their nests while
monkeys with babies clinging under their bellies and squirrels
dart through the gardens. The Lodge boasts of, Gift shop,
Laundry, Swimming pool, Children’s pool, Evening turn down
service, Baby sitting, Balloon safaris, Nature walks, Car wash |
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Oltukai Lodge 80
luxury chalet-style twin rooms at Ol Tukai Lodge, all with an
uninterrupted view of the wetlands or Kilimanjaro. All rooms
have private bathrooms and individual terraces. Rooma doe
physically available. Other facilities include:-Restaurants and
2 bars, Swimming pool, Bureau de Change, Credit cards, Children
corner, Telephone, fax and radio call, 200 delegates Conference
facility with video, flip charts, projector and other relevant
apparatus, Multi denominational chapel, Clinic. Activities
include board games, game drives, Maasai dances, bird-walks and
lectures on elephants |
Amboseli Lodge
Tortillis Camp
Camping Safaris
Campsites:
Olgulului Public Campsite and Nairushari
Campsite |