Tourism Activities To Do In Amboseli National Park
Tourism Activities To Do In Amboseli National Park: Amboseli National Park is one of the best places to see wildlife not only in Kenya but in all of Africa. It offers unforgettable Kenya safari adventures that visitors will treasure for a lifetime. The park is particularly renowned for its elephants, serving as one of the best places in Africa to see them.
Amboseli, Kajiado County: Close to Nairobi, Amboseli is also good for a wildlife variety. The name “Amboseli” is derived from the local Maasai language, which means “salty dust,” a description of the arid plains of the region. Around the park, most of the people are Maasai, their way of life based on cattle.
The park, smaller than Masai Mara, is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service and spans approximately 392 square kilometers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous place for African wildlife films—especially the Big Five animals: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos.
Here are some of the activities you can do: at Amboseli National Park:
Game drive
Amboseli is a fantastic place to go wildlife watching, if not for its elephants. These majestic creatures roam open plains, under acacia trees, over rocky terrain, and through swamps. The park offers game drives throughout the day, but your best chance to spot animals is in the morning from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM and late in the afternoon from 2 PM to 6:30 PM.
Many animals are known to congregate near water during the heat of day to drink and cool off. While hyenas can be seen returning to their lairs in the morning, on night drives you can meet bush babies and serval cats. Other animals that you may see include wildebeests, buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, hippos and more.
Birdwatching
Amboseli is a great place for bird watching, with 400 species recorded! These birds live and wander near wetlands, on grassy plains, and in acacia trees. Some of the more interesting birds you may spot while on your birdwatching tour include the Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Spotted Thick-knee, Pied Avocet, Three-banded Plover, Black-winged Lapwing, Lesser Jacana, Bar-tailed Godwit, Small Buttonquail, Double-banded Courser, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Abdim’s Stork, Marabou Stork, Great Cormorant, African Sacred Ibis, Pink-backed Pelican, Squacco Heron, Black-headed Heron, Knob-billed Duck and Rufous chatterer just to name a few! The best time to see birds is May to June and October to December.
Don’t forget to pack your binoculars so you can get a clear view of the birds even from a distance.
Hot air balloon safari
A hot air balloon safari in Amboseli National Park is one of the best things to do in the park. You have a unique opportunity to view the park’s sights from the air. As you float peacefully in the air, you can see elephants, zebras, buffaloes and many bird species while enjoying panoramic views of the landscape.
Among the highlights are the stunning Mount Kilimanjaro in the background and the wide range of animals and breathtaking landscapes that make Amboseli so unique.
Mount Kilimanjaro sightings
Amboseli National Park offers spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, located a little over the border in Tanzania. Visitors get to see about three-quarters of the famous mountain during their stay in the park. From a game drive or just strolling around the camp, there is always the possibility of seeing Kilimanjaro, which is a breathtaking experience wherever you see it.
Cultural tour
The park is enclosed by the local Maasai community. While in Amboseli National Park, you have the opportunity to spend time with these local people in the afternoon. You can learn about their rich traditions and culture, such as their animated dances where they jump and sing together. You may also want to take part and make memories of your own to last a lifetime. You can also participate in activities like planting trees to contribute to reforestation with the Maasai. No visit to Amboseli is complete without stopping at the Cultural Heritage Center on the Emali-Loitokitok highway en route to the park. The center is approximately 23 kilometers from Emali town and 50 kilometers from Amboseli at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Guided nature walks
A guided nature walk in Amboseli National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The park is teeming with lush vegetation, marshes, and an assortment of animals that can be viewed on foot. Hiking around the observation hills allows you to find some of the park’s best-kept secrets. You may be able to look closely at herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, and buffalo while listening to the cheery birdsongs. The stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background makes the whole tour more unforgettable, and the unforgettable memories you make on this trip will last forever.
Landscape viewing
Amboseli National Park is known for its nearby mountain, which is a solitary peak rising to a staggering 5,895m above sea level. This mountain forms the park’s backdrop and is capped by snow that creates a stunning scene that is perfect for taking photos. It is possible to have a look at the surrounding plants and animals from higher altitudes with beautiful eyes. There are also a number of well-visited points of interest in the park, including the Noomotio observation point, Kitirua campsite, and Enameshera mountaintop, among other lookout points. Day or night, each of these sites provides a different spectacle, making the park an exceptional place for viewing landscapes.
Filming safaris
Filming in Amboseli National Park is highly recommended for all travelers and filmmakers on various projects and documentaries. The park has other big game, including the Big 5 except rhino, so it is a good place for wildlife studies. Numerous scientists from Africa and across the world come to Amboseli for its crucial herd animals. It’s also a prime location for professional photographers, as it boasts stunning landscapes and excellent wildlife photography opportunities.
When is the Best Time to Visit Amboseli National Park
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park for your trip depends on what you’re Looking for in a Trip. There is no closed season in the park so you can visit at any time. But there is that long-held belief that the best time to visit is in the dry season from June to October and then again from December to February. The skies are typically clear with less rainfall during this time and viewing animals and going on safari is easier.
On the other hand, the wet season (March to May and in November) is also good if you want to do some bird watching, as there are many migratory and local birds available in this period. So, if you are a serious game viewer, plan your trip for the dry months; if you are a birder, the rainy season is the time of better birding.
Where to Stay in Amboseli National Park During Your Kenya Wildlife Safari
There is a range of accommodation in Amboseli National Park to suit all budgets and group sizes. There are money-saving options, as well as more comfortable and luxury-style accommodations. Popular selections include the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kiama Amboseli Camp, Severin Safari Camp, Little Amanya Camp, Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Kilima Safari Camp, AA Amboseli Lodge, Satao Elerai Camp, etc. From rustic tented camps to luxury lodges, here are some of the best.
How to get to Amboseli National Park
By road: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park can be easily driven. The main road is that along Namanga Road through the Meshanini gate. The Kenya trip is approximately 240 km and takes about four hours. Alternatively, you can go along Mombasa Road from Nairobi to Emali, a distance of roughly 228 kilometers, which usually requires about three hours of travel.
By Air: There are small planes that fly directly to Amboseli if you want to fly. These flights depart from Wilson Airport in Nairobi or Moi Airport in Mombasa. The flight takes around 30 minutes.
