Amboseli National Park is a relatively small but popular reserve in Kenya, known for its iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of big-tusked elephants. Situated just 240 km southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli is an excellent alternative to the more frequented Maasai Mara National Reserve. The park retains its place as one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations in the world, home to more than 400 species of birds and a plethora of mammals, including the Big Five. The wide-open grassy plains of Amboseli provide visitors with the ideal conditions for close wildlife encounters and easy viewing. In addition, the Amboseli elephants are thoroughly habituated to humans and are quite at ease in the presence of the game vehicles, which means you have the rare opportunity to get close enough to observe them in detail and get some amazing photographs.
“The wide-open grassy plains of Amboseli provide visitors with the ideal conditions for close wildlife encounters and easy viewing.”
The presence of year-round water is due to two swamp areas that receive a constant supply of fresh glacial waters emanating from Mount Kilimanjaro, across the border in Tanzania. These swampy areas are a favorite haunt of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birds that thrive in the adjoining palm forests, as well as all the other game that patiently await their turn to drink –you simply need to park and watch for some incredible sightings. Amboseli also offers the opportunity to visit a Maasai village where you’ll spend time interacting with the Maasai people and learning about their traditional ways of life.
