Where to go

Amboseli National Park

Probably one of the most photographed park in East Africa!

Amboseli National Park - Walking Safari
Amboseli National Park - Walking Safari

Probably the most photographed park in East Africa, Amboseli National Park lies on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, in the lee of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Comparatively quite small for a National Park, at 392sq km, it is also the second most visited of them all. This is to its benefit and to its detriment to be honest. The park was made famous in the early 70s by the elephant research of Cynthia Moss and Iain Douglas-Hamilton and has since become a must see for elephant fans due to the large numbers of elephant that congregate here.

Meaning “salty dust” in Maasai, the park generally lives up to its name but provides the perfect habitat for a wide variety of birds and also boasts cheetah, lion, hippo, oryx, gerenuk and elephant shrew amongst the numerous Umbrella thorn. While it can be busy in the high season, there are quite a few lodges that are based either on the periphery of the park or just outside it, in private concessions. These lodges are perfect for a few nights to have a look around, and with direct flights to the Mara, it is a great way to combine other parks.

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    At a glance...Amboseli National Park

    • Size 392 square miles
    • Location South Kenya bordering Tanzania, SE of Nairobi
    • Recommended time 2-3 nights
    • Time to visit All year round (except April & May)
    • Safari Activities Walking, driving
    • Topography Dusty savanna
    • Main species Elephant population, buffalo, leopard, lion, cheetah, good birding

    Further reading...

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