Amboseli Nationalpark
Kilimanjaro’s Royal Court
Amboseli lies West of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), on the border with Tanzania. It was established as a reserve in 1968 and Gazetted as a National Park in 1974. The Park covers 390.25 sq km, and forms part of the much larger 3000 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.
The National Parl embodies 5 wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bushland, 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 Mount Kilimanjaro and ‘floating’ elephants within the swamps.
What to see
Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Visit Amboseli National Park for fantastic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) the highest Mountain in Africa rising at 5.896 m above sea level. It snowcapped summit dominates the landscape and on a clear day is easly visible during early morning and late afternoo. It is a superb backdrop for wildlife photographs.
Herds of Elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
The Park provides a unique habitat for approximatly one thousand elephants. Few visitors will go home without superb elephant images beneath Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The Swamps
The Enkongo Narok swamp and other permanent swamps, whice divide the grey landscape into broad green swatches, are favoured resorts for buffalo, hippo and elephant. Close by graze groups of Zebra, wildebeeste and impala while numerous birds feed, breed and nest in the lush vegetation. Look out for graceful Crowned Cranes, the long-necked Africa’s Darter, and Kingfishers, Egyptian geese are almost certain to be with a variety of ducks and plovers.
Observation Hill-Nomatior
From the observation hill there is a panoramic view of most of the park and the short climb is worth the effort. It was inhabited many years ago by the hunter-gatherer people- the Ndorobo. Signs and traces of their pottery and implements have been found here giving rise to the Maasai name ‘nomatior’, place of pottery.
Ol Turkai
The heart of Amboseli woodland of ‘yellow fewer trees’ and the doum palm known as ‘Ol Turkai’ by the Maasai and ‘Makindu’ in Swahili. A cool oasis of trees, Ol Turkai is a retreat for wildlife and greatly favoured by Elephants
When to Go
Accessibility: The Park is Accessible all year round. (rain season 4 x 4 recomended)
Fact File
Altitude: 1150 meter sea level
Area: 390.26 sq km
Location/District, Province: Loitoktok District, Rift Valley Province
Distance from Nairobi: 250 km
Gazetted: October 1974
Climate: Mainly hot and dry. Amboseoi is in the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The mayimum average of the warmest month is 33 c during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28 c. An annual rainfall of 300 mm per annum is distributed in two seasons: April/May and November/December. Recurrent droughts and potentioal evaporation of 2,200 mm per annum typifies the region.
Vegetation: Swamps are dominated by Papyrus and Cyprus Immenses, the dominant plant species are Sporobolus, in the grassland, Acacia in woodland, and Suaeda Monica in the bush land.
Wildlife: Elephants estimated in approximatley 1500, buffalos estimated at approximatly 472, Lions estimated at aprosimatly 40.
Reptiles: Monitor Lizards, Chameleons, Egyptian Cobra, Python, Puff Adder, and black Mamba.
Birds: More than 400 recorded Species
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, Iremito, Ilmeshanan, Kitirua and Airstrip
Natural Features: Varied wildlife species, ice capped Mount Kilimanjaro, salty dust wir mirages, permanent swamps and observation points.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
The Amboseli Serena Lodge is situated in the Amboseli National Park. It is build in a style like the Masai Manyattas. It is part of the famous Serena Hotels and Lodges
Kibo Safari Camp
This Camp is situated at the Kimana Gate, Amboseli National Park. Simple nice Tents, a small Swiming Pool, very good Value for money.
Ol Turkai Lodge
This Lodge is inside the Amboseli National Park.
Lodges & Camps Outside the Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Sentrim Camp
Just wenn you come from the Kimana GAter there is the Amboseli Sentrim Camp. It was build in the year 2008.It is part of the Hotel Chain Sentrim Lodges und Camps
Kilima Camp (Mada Holdings)
Just next to the Sentrim Camp is the Kilima Camp of Mada Hotels, it is just Opend.
Satao Elerai Camp
A very luxerious Camp inside the Elerai Conservation Area.
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
A very nice Lodge outside the Amboseli National Park.
Tortilis Camp
The Tortilis Camp inside the Kitirua Conservation Area.
Amboseli Porini Camp
Tawi Lodge
New build Camp
We are happy to answer all your questions concerning your trip to Africa!