AHSKL011 3 Days Amboseli Lodge Safaris

AHSKL005 7 Days Amboseli - Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

AHSKL007 10 Days Mt. Kenya/ Samburu/ Aberdares/ Nakuru/ Mara / Amboseli

AHSMB001 7 Days Tsavo | Amboseli | Lake Nakuru | Masai Mara | Mombasa 
 

Amboseli National Park

Background Information
Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Amboseli was established as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 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.
The National Park 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 is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.

Location:
On the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South Kenya; Covers 392km2

Climate:
The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The maximum average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C. An annual rainfall of 300mm per annum is distributed in two seasons: April/May and November/December. Recurrent droughts and potential evaporation of 2200mm per annum typifies the region (KWS, 1991).

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
The main road into the Park is from Nairobi are via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The road is tarmac upto Namanga but is badly corrugated and potholed in places from Namanga to Meshanani Gate (75km). The other road and via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road. The road is tarmac up to Emali and murram from Emali to Remito Gate (64 km) Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.

Airstrips:
The park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge and Namanga town.

Park Roads:
Viewing roads network covers the park adequately. Many of the park viewing roads are not usable during the rains and because of the loose ashy nature of volcanic soil, the roads become very dusty during the dry season.

Park Gates:
The park has five gates, Kelunyiet, lremito, Ilmeshanan; Kitirua and Airstrip.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Mt. Kilimanjaro
Mt. Meru
Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
FACILITIES

Lodges:
Oltukai Lodge; Amboseli Serena Lodge; Amboseli Kimana Lodge; Tortilis Tented Lodge Amboseli.

Campsites:
Nairushari Special; Olgulului Public Campsite; Abercrombie & Kent Tented Camp; Ker & Downy Tented Camp; Chyulu Tented Camp; Kimbla Campsite; Cottar's Tented Camp; Leopard Tented Camp; Tortilis Tented Camp.

ACTIVITIES

Wildlife viewing.

Amboseli Safari
Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular parks because of the stunning view it displays of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. When you go on your Amboseli Safari, be sure to get the famous photograph of elephants with the unforgettable views of Kilimanjaro in the background!

Streams from Kilimanjaro surface in the centre of Amboseli, creating swamps that attract and support a rich diversity of wild animals and birdlife.

As Amboseli is easily accessible, it forms a popular part of many of our safari itineraries. Amboseli is one of the smaller game parks in Kenya and the vegetation ensures that the animals are easy to spot. Lions can easily be found and can occasionally be watched stalking their prey.

Buffalo, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and other plains game are plentiful in the park and hippos live in the open waters and swamp channels. The elephants found here are surprisingly relaxed around safari vehicles; they were largely unaffected by ivory poaching and have some of the largest tusks.

Accommodations in Amboseli

Amboseli Serena Lodge
In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro surrounded by Acacia trees and a natural spring, lies Amboseli Serena Lodge. Around the lodge roam the big game that has made East Africa legendary. Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Offering spectacular views of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and set amongst lush tropical gardens and tranquil ponds, this lodge is a veritable oasis in the dramatically arid surroundings of the Amboseli National Park.

Tortillis Camp - Amboseli
Lying on the edge of Amboseli National Park, Tortilis camp is located in a hillside setting and is home to 17 private luxury tents, each with en suite bathrooms that offer steaming showers and modern toilets.

 Porini Camp - Amboseli
Porini Camp is in the Selenkay Conservation area - a few miles north of Amboseli National Park. It is an important dispersal area and rangeland for wildlife migrating out of Amboseli.

Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli
Ol Tukai lodge is situated in a forest of fever trees and palms. From your room you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape, sky and wildlife overlooking snow capped Kilimanjaro in the background.