Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park

　 Highlights

Elephants: Amboseli is a paradise for elephants, home to large herds due to the relatively sparse tree cover. African elephants are highly sensitive to smell and sound. Their diet mainly consists of grass, grass roots, tree buds, shrubs, tree bark, fruits, and vegetables, and they need to drink 30–50 gallons of water per day. The average lifespan of an African elephant is around 70 years. Perhaps because of their 22-month-long gestation period—making each birth a significant event—elephant herds are very protective of their young. Even in front of tourists, they try to keep calves hidden behind the sturdy, wall-like bodies of their parents. The calves, unlike the playful young of many other animals, tend to shyly stay close to their parents. Observation Hill: Located southeast of Lake Amboseli, visitors can climb the steps to the top of Observation Hill to enjoy panoramic views of the entire Amboseli National Park and spot Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. Amboseli is one of the best viewpoints for seeing Mount Kilimanjaro, with its snow-capped summit and vast herds of elephants—a scene often regarded as an iconic image of Africa.

Amboseli National Park is located near the Kenyan border and covers an area of 392 square kilometers. Thanks to its proximity to the misty peak of Africa—the Mount Kilimanjaro—it attracts numerous tourists. Although it doesn’t have as rich a variety of wildlife as the Maasai Mara, the lack of dense vegetation makes it easier to track predators and observe their hunting behaviors. Upon entering Amboseli National Park, the first sight is usually the perennially dry Lake Amboseli (which only fills slightly during the rainy season), famous for its frequent spectacular mirages. The name “Amboseli” actually means “dry lake.” Observation Hill and its vicinity offer excellent vantage points. Nearby Enkongo Narok Swamp is a great place to see black rhinos, hippos, elephants, wildebeests, gazelles, and buffaloes. The oasis by Kioko Lake, north of Observation Hill, is a birdwatching hotspot, where you can spot flocks of flamingos, snow-white pelicans, crowned cranes, and Egyptian geese.

　 Transportation

Safari (game drives) within Amboseli National Park is conducted in modified jeeps or vans along several set routes, with experienced drivers searching for wildlife and using radios to communicate with each other.

　 Entrance Fees / Opening Hours

Entrance fee is $40.

Opening hours: 6:00–18:00.

The park has five main gates: Kelunyiet, Iremito, Ilmeshanan, Kitirua, and Airstrip.

Kenya’s Amboseli