Experiencing the Amboseli National Park of Kenya

Amboseli Nationwide Park is superbly filled with wonderful sightings. Dubbed the “House of the African Elephant”, it’s one of many safari locations in Kenya to expertise the unbeatable touristic actions.

It’s additionally one of many two premium nationwide parks in Kenya and is positioned within the south-eastern area of Kenya close to Tanzania. Its magnificence is unknown to many and valued by few, however when you go to you’ll perpetually be in love with this vacation spot.

Famed for its excellent elephant herds—the park’s elephant inhabitants estimated at 1600. The majestic creatures are set with a backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in neighboring Tanzania. Vegetation within the park is dominated by acacia woodland, rocky thorn bushes, marshland and a Pleistocene Lake Amboseli.

Aside from the assured wildlife sightings within the park, one can delve deeper into the sphere of wildlife conservation that provides as much as Kenya’s elite wildlife experiences. Nationwide Parks in Kenya are a fantastic promoting level for Kenya’s tourism trade and many individuals take pleasure in safari expertise with a steely willpower to marvel on the Big Five. Nonetheless, the Amboseli Nationwide Park gives greater than wildlife and you might be assured a fantastic expertise.

On this article are a number of the greatest actions to do in Amboseli Nationwide Park. We additionally share data on how you can get to Amboseli Nationwide Park, working hours and entrance charges, and a number of the high lodging choices for you.

Additionally try: Nairobi National Park: The Only National Park in a Town

Right here’s what to sit up for:

get to Amboseli Nationwide Park

Amboseli Nationwide Park has 4 gates: Iremito, Meshanani, Kimana, and Kitirua.

The park is well accessible by highway from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. The park is roughly 240km from Nairobi, which interprets to a 4-hour drive through the Nairobi-Namanga route through its Meshanani gate. This route is faster because it has minimal site visitors and is much more scenic.

Alternatively, one can take the Nairobi-Emali route through Mombasa highway, which will likely be a 3-hour drive with out site visitors. Nonetheless, this route may be slower as Mombasa highway is among the many busiest roads; thus, certain to expertise heavy site visitors particularly throughout peak hours. Accessing the park from Mombasa is principally by way of Tsavo Nationwide Park, roughly, 7 hours drive.

The park’s proximity to Nairobi makes it accessible for guests who wish to get pleasure from a drive alongside Kenyan roads. It is usually nice for day journeys; nonetheless, to get one of the best out of the vacation spot, I’d suggest a two-day keep to exhaust all its merchandise.

By practice you may board the SGR at Nairobi or Mombasa and alight at Emali terminus. From Nairobi, the practice takes 1 hour half-hour to get to Emali whereas from Mombasa, the practice takes just below 5 hours. From right here, Amboseli is 91km away and you will want to rearrange for pick-up by way of Amboseli camp or automobile rent providers.

Notably, for a luxurious expertise, guests can get to Amboseli through home chartered flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport that land within the park’s airstrip or Namanga Airstrip, within the close by Namanga city. The flight is roughly 90 minutes.

Amboseli Nationwide Park working hours and entrance charges

The park operates between 6 am – 7 pm all 12 months spherical inclusive of public holidays. No entry is allowed previous 6:15 pm.

As of 2023, Kenyan residents and residents visiting the park, pay an entrance charge of ksh 860 for adults and ksh 215 for youngsters, whereas non-residents are charged ksh 8,469 ($60) for adults and ksh 4,940 ($35) for youngsters. All charges are legitimate for twenty-four hours.

Extra detailed data on the fee overview and different fees may be accessed by way of the parks administration web site, the Kenya Wildlife Service. When visiting the park remember the fact that all funds are cashless they usually settle for Mpesa, Visa, and direct financial institution deposits.

Insider Tip: Whereas the park may be visited all 12 months spherical, one of the best time to go to Amboseli Nationwide Park is through the dry season starting June to October and December to February. Right now, the park roads are simply accessible and in good situation for sport drives.

What to do in Amboseli Nationwide Park

1. Recreation drive

Amboseli Nationwide Park has numerous species of untamed animals that inhabit the park’s open plains, rocky thorn bushes, and marsh land. It’s a safari wonderland characterised by the solemnly matching matriarchs and hippos. Whereas sport drives may be carried out all day lengthy, one of the best time to identify many of the wildlife is early morning and late night. It is because through the day, when the solar is scorching, the animals keep within the hideouts and solely come out to drink water within the watering holes.

A number of the different animals to see on the park embody; hyenas, giraffes, lions, waterbucks, buffalos, leopards, grant’s gazelles, and zebras amongst different animals.

Insider Tip: Whereas exploring the Amboseli Nationwide Park, it’s important to be a accountable vacationer and prioritize the preservation of wildlife and their habitats. Respect the animals by sustaining a secure distance, chorus from feeding them, and obey the park guidelines.

2. Cultural excursions

A go to to Amboseli Nationwide Park is incomplete with out partaking in a cultural tour. Surrounding the park is the Maasai group, considered one of Kenya’s reigning indigenous group. The Maasai are well-known for his or her tradition and cultural parts like dance, souvenirs like beaded jewellery, woven baskets, clothes popularly often called the Maasai shuka and crafts.

Whereas having fun with the Maasai tradition and heritage, guests can have interaction and take part in the neighborhood’s sustainable growth initiatives like afforestation and different voluntourism actions in the neighborhood.

Insider Tip: Be a accountable vacationer and help the local people by shopping for their items and providers and respecting their tradition and heritage.

3. Tenting

Tenting may be frolic and enjoyable and I can’t think about a greater technique to get pleasure from it by tenting outdoors a lodge overlooking the majestic African giants and the attractive view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Camping at the Amboseli National Park costs roughly $50 for adults and $25 for youngsters at particular campsites; $30 for adults and $25 for youngsters at public campsites. I’d recommend making prior enquiries concerning the availability and state of the campsites as a result of they’re hardly maintained.

The park has three frequent campsites, all of that are positioned outdoors the park. These embody:

• Kimana Camp Amboseli: the commonest in Amboseli run by the Kenya Wildlife Service. It’s positioned simply outdoors the park’s Kimana gate. Set underneath large acacia bushes that present shade from the scorching solar. The camp is a tented camp in addition to a campsite.
• Olgulului Camp Amboseli: this campsite offers a wonderful view of Mount Kilimanjaro. It about 5 minutes away from the park’s Meshanani gate. The camp offers all the essential facilities; although, it’s possible you’ll be required to look a bit of more durable for firewood.
• Kimana Sanctuary: this campsite is privately owned as it’s positioned within the close by conservancy. It’s half an hour away from the park gate and has barely totally different prices which are inclusive of conservancy entrance charges.

4. Guided nature stroll on the Remark Hill

Amboseli Nationwide Park is of course endowed with scenic vegetation, swamps, and elevated view of the park’s plains and animal species on the pyramid-shaped commentary hill. The commentary hill is among the locations inside the park, the place guests are allowed to disembark from their automobiles and proceed on foot.

Atop the hill, you will get a panoramic view of the park’s plains and numerous animal species. On the commentary hill, you’ve entry to the knowledge centre, the place there are pasted boards with info about wildlife like baboons, lions, and birds on the park. Equally, you may view the scenic Lake Amboseli with its stunning flamingoes on one facet and the height of Mount Kilimanjaro on the opposite.

5. Chook watching

The park offers a house to over 400 species of birds that may be noticed within the marsh space, grasslands, and woodlands. A number of the unmissable birds right here embody the larger flamingo, lesser flamingo, lengthy toed lap claw, Rufous chatter, Spike-heeled heron, Tavete golden weaver, frequent redshank, and Dickinson’s kestrel. Birds may be troublesome to sight when at a distance, subsequently, having your binoculars is important.

Insider Tip: To get probably the most out of this exercise, hen watching is greatest completed through the moist season (April to June and November to December) when migratory birds are within the Amboseli area.

6. Sizzling Air Balloon Safari

A hot air balloon ride is among the most fulfilling actions. Taking a scorching air balloon experience permits you to fly the Amboseli skies whereas having fun with an aerial view of the park. You’ll be able to see elephant herds and buffalos throughout the plains whereas mingling with birds of the air.

7. Images

With a scenic backdrop of the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Nationwide Park is a delight for nature lovers. It offers one of the best contrasts, terrain, and landscapes to seize one of the best of natural world. The good experiences are value capturing in your lenses for good recollections and nostalgia. Amboseli is also called a spectacular spot for wildlife images and film-making.

8. Wildlife Conservation and Analysis on the Elephant Analysis Camp

The African elephants on the Amboseli are among the many most studied elephants in Kenya and globally. The analysis camp is positioned inside the park underneath the steering and management of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.

Whereas the analysis camp shouldn’t be open to informal visits, guests could make prior preparations for interactive periods with the researchers to study their analysis work and the problems related to elephant conservation. It’s additionally a fantastic alternative so that you can be concerned in conservation tourism by making donations to help elephant conservation efforts, taking part within the elephant naming ceremony, and turning into a member of the Elatia household.

The place to remain and eat at Amboseli Nationwide Park

Amboseli Nationwide Park gives numerous lodging choices starting from mid-range to luxurious lodging. These can be found each inside and outdoors the park. Whereas staying contained in the park you pay extra, you get the advantage of experiencing stunning dawn and sundown and never having to hurry to get out of the park earlier than closing time.

A few of these choices embody:

• Kibo Safari Camp: It’s the most really useful lodging facility in Amboseli and ranking in first place on Trip Advisor. The camp has a safe fence to maintain off wildlife. It has 73 self-contained tents for single, double, triple and household lodging. Every tent is provided with flush bogs, showers and washbasins. Amongst different facilities is a lounge and bar, eating space, swimming pool, artwork gallery, spa, convention amenities, open terraced restaurant and a memento store. Costs per night time are upwards of $250.
• Kilima Safari Camp: Situated adjoining to the park, the camp offers spacious accommodation in a 4-poster bed fitted with mosquito web and different facilities. All rooms within the camp have a seating space and personal rest room. An evening’s keep right here will price you $400.
• Amboseli Serena Lodge: It is a private large group hotel and its brick and mortar mannequin offers the standard lodging expertise for guests who aren’t used to the nighttime roar of the searching lioness. Its hunkered down prime place within the park permits it to boast of the spectacular views of the Kilimanjaro. The usual price for an evening keep is roughly $290. The power additionally offers particular supply packages for vacationers all 12 months spherical and through particular seasons.
• Porini Amboseli Camp: This camp is owned by the well-known Porini Safari Company and it’s positioned outdoors the park within the Selenkay conservancy. It has a complete of 9 en-suite tents with conventional safari design, easy furnishing, spacious rooms and comfy thick rugs. Lodging per night time is $640 and that is inclusive of guided sport drives, bush walks, sundowner, and entry to the viewing platforms over watering holes.
• Elewana Tortilis Camp: This 5-star private tented camp is to the south-west of the park adjoining to a personal conservancy—Kitirua Wildlife Conservancy. Lodging right here entails 16 luxurious makuti- thatched (sundried leaves of the coconut palms) tents, every with twin or double beds, en-suite baths, and verandah. It’s barely above up-market costs for the luxurious expertise. Services right here embody lounge and bar, swimming pool, spa, free Wi-Fi, present store, guided bushwalks, birding, kids actions, sundowners, and cultural group visits.
• Ol tukai Lodge: This eco-rated lodge is on the coronary heart of the park presenting distinctive outside and indoor amenities. It’s a getaway for an enthralling up to date retreat. It’s the prime spot for watching the elephant herds with the backdrop of the Kilimanjaro. Thus, probably the most most well-liked by guests visiting the park. This facility is designed to create consolation for its guests by prioritizing their security and comfort whereas transferring across the park.
• Kilimanjaro Visitor Home: That is one other accommodation facility within the park at Iremito gate managed by the KWS. This facility hosts as much as 7pax and that is ideally suited for a household set-up. You’ll be able to get pleasure from actions like tenting, sport viewing and picnicking on the banda. Notably, the banda is on self-catering foundation. What higher technique to get pleasure from household time than cooking collectively whereas having fun with the panoramic views of the wild!
• Simba Cottages: This banda can also be managed by the KWS and hosts two folks. Just like the Kilimanjaro visitor home, you may get pleasure from a picnic setting, sport viewing, and tenting right here. It is usually on self-catering foundation.

Helpful suggestions

• Get an area Safaricom Sim with activated Mpesa (cellular cash service), as this can make it easier to in conducting money transactions as having access to some banks outdoors Nairobi may be difficult. Apart from, Safaricom has nice community protection throughout the nation.
• Be taught just a few Swahili phrases like greetings makes nice dialog starters particularly when interacting with the local people (additionally try these cultural greetings in Africa). For instance:
  Sasa – Hello/ Good morning
  Asante/ nashukuru – thanks
  Karibu – Welcome

Final however not least, keep in mind to hold a re-usable water bottle for rehydration. Our parks don’t permit single use plastics. Let’s develop the #BringYourOwnBottle problem and cease plastic air pollution.

See additionally: Kenya eVisa: Everything you need to know