Amboseli National Park

　　       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, shoots, shrubs, 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 precious event—elephants in herds are very protective of their calves, often keeping them hidden behind the towering, gentle bodies of their parents even in front of visitors. The calves, unlike the playful young of other animals, tend to stay shyly close to their parents.     Observation Hill: Located southeast of Amboseli Lake, climbing the stairs to the top of Observation Hill offers panoramic views of the entire Amboseli National Park and, on clear days, a distant glimpse of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Amboseli is one of the best places to view Mount Kilimanjaro, with the iconic scene of snow-capped peaks set against vast herds of elephants being considered a classic African image.

　　      Amboseli National Park is located near the Kenyan border and spans 392 square kilometers. Thanks to its proximity to the misty summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, it attracts numerous visitors. Although the park does not have as rich a diversity of wildlife as the Maasai Mara, the lack of dense vegetation makes it easier to track predators and witness hunting behavior.     Upon entering Amboseli National Park, the first sight is often the perennially dry Amboseli Lake (which only holds a bit of water during the rainy season), famous for its frequent and spectacular mirages. The name "Amboseli" means “dry lake.”     Observation Hill and its surrounding areas offer excellent vantage points. The nearby Enkongo Narok swamp, close to Observation Hill, is a great spot to see black rhinos, hippos, elephants, wildebeest, gazelles, and buffaloes. The oasis by Kioko Lake, just north of Observation Hill, is a birdwatcher's haven where you can spot flocks of flamingos, white pelicans, crowned cranes, and Egyptian geese.

　　  　    Transportation

　　       Safari (game drive) within Amboseli National Park is conducted in modified jeeps or vans along several established routes, guided by experienced drivers who track animals and communicate via two-way radios.

　　  　    Entrance Fees / Opening Hours

　　        Entrance fee is $40 USD.

　　     Opening hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

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

　　    Amboseli, Kenya