Amboseli National Park Kenya Safari Guide
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Amboseli National Park Kenya lies North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Amboseli park was established as a reserve in 1968 and Gazetted as a National Park in 1974. Amboseli National Park covers 390.26 sq. km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 sq. km Amboseli ecosystem.
Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches namely olgulului, Kimana, lmbirikani, Kuku, Selengei and Rombo
Amboseli National Park Kenya embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a pleistocene lake basin, now dry.Within this basin is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods during years of heavy rainfall. Amboseli Kenya is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro and ?oating elephants within the swamps
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK ATTRACTIONS
1. Large Herds of Elephants
2. Mt. Kilimanjaro
3. Big Five
4. Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
4.Swamp below observation hill hosts many elephants, buffaloes, hippos and a variety of water fowls like pelican, Egyptian goose
5. Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
WHAT TO DO AT AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
PUBLIC CAMPSITE
Olkelunyiet public campsite is near the parks headquarters with running water, wash rooms, showers and kitchen shade
PICNIC SITE
A picnic site (observation point) with view points, shade, nature trail and latrine.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU TO AMBOSELI PARK
Drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight. Also useful are: binoculars, cameras, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks
WHERE TO STAY WHILE AT AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
INSIDE THE PARK
KWS self-catering accommodation, Amboseli Serena lodge, Oltukai lodge
OUTSIDE THE PARK
Tortils camp, Porini camp, Elerai Satao camp, Kilima Safari Camp, Kibo lodge, Tawi lodge, Sentrim lodge and Sopa lodge
KWS SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
There is a selection of 5 economically priced KWS self-catering ‘bandas’ (offered inclusive of bedding, towels, cooking equipment, bathrooms, showers and communal eating area). The self-catering 'bandas’ are Kilimanjaro, Kibo, Simba, Nyati and Chui. Power is supplied by generator from 6.30pm to 11pm
WHEN TO VISIT AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Amboseli National Park is accessible on 2WD between April – Oct. It is accessible on 4WD between Oct-March on all roads
HOW TO GET TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
BY ROAD
The main road into the park is from Nairobi via Emali (228km) on the Nairobi-Mombasa road and another 78 km to lremito gate through Loitokitok road.
The other road from Nairobi is via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi-Arusha road, via Meshanani gate. From Namanga to Meshanani gate is 75km.
Access from Mombasa is also through lremito gate via Emali or Kimana gate via Tsavo West.
The park has five gates: lremito, Kimana, Meshanani, Airstrip and Kitirua gate.
BY AIR: AIRSTRIPS
The park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Airstrip gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge and Namanga town
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK OPENING HOURS
Amboseli National Park is open Daily 6.00am - 6.00pm including public holidays
Note: No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6.15pm
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK CHARGES
• Entry to Amboseli National Park is by safaricard or Visa card
• Safaricard may be obtained and loaded at either Nairobi National Park main gate or lremito gate in Amboseli National Park
• Current entry charges can be obtained via the contacts below