Amboseli National Park/Amboseli National Reserve

Location: Kajiando district 238 Km from Nairobi. The Park/ Reserve borders Tanzania to the south.  The name Amboseli comes from the Maasai place name, Empusel, meaning open plain. The park is managed by Kws (Kenya wildlife service) on behalf of the central  government..

Area: 392 Km²

Gazetted: Amboseli National Park  was gazetted in 1974 but in 2005 the park management reverted to Okejiando County council, thus the name changed to once more to Amboseli National Reserve.  It had been a reserve since 1948. It is the best place to photograph the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro (5985M). The reserve is famous for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the landscape is dominated by MT Kilimanjaro.  

The Habitats:

Amboseli National Reserve has  5 main habitats.  These are

• open plains

• acacia woodland

• rocky thorn bush country

• swamps and marshland

• Dry basin of Lake Amboseli (a dry basin, that floods during heavy rainfall.

Physical features and attractions in Amboseli National Park:

The main physical features in Amboseli Reserve are

• Splendid views of the Mt.Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru.

• swamps- OloKenya, EnKongo Narok, Oltukai, which serve as livelihood of this otherwise dissolute park.  They are also inhabited by hippos and attract large numbers of birds.

• Lake Amboseli-dry filling only during the rainy season

• Observation hill

Mammals of Amboseli National park:

The Park  has a large mammal population.  Among the species to be found here are elephants, zebra, gnu, hippopotamus, buffalo, spotted hyena, waterbuck, Maasai giraffe, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, impala, lion and cheetah. gerenuk, fringed-eared,   duikers, aardwolf, spotted hyena, lions, buffaloes, baboons, bush baby, serval cat, caracal, leopard, jackals.

Part of the Amboseli attractions are the nomadic Maasai herdsmen with their domestic stock in close vicinity of predators.

Profusion of bird- life -  420 species of birds recorded.

Vegetation: One of the main challenge to continued existence of Amboseli National Park is poor vegetation regeneration.  This is attributed to its dryness being on the leeward side of Mt. Kilimanjaro and saline soils which are not ideal for vegetation growth.  Coupled with this Amboseli National Reserve boosts of the largest herd of  elephant population in Kenya which have cleared all the trees leaving glass and bare ground.  

Accommodation/Lodges:

Lodges: 

		Amboseli Serena Lodge (below) :Amboseli Serena Lodge has a total of 92 rooms.  The lodge offers:- Bush Dinners;Sundowners at Observation Hill;Private picnics; specialist cultural entertainments; Full housekeeping services (laundry, valet, babysitting on request );Full medical back-up and emergency evacuation facilities; Africana Gift Shop;Beauty treatments, massage and hairdressing; Swimming Pool, nature walks, jogging trails, bird watching and game drives; Forex facilities;Full library of books on Africa.
		Amboseli Sopa Lodge : Nestled in 190 acres of wooded Maasai land, the lodge sits on the foot hills of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro four hours drive from Nairobi.   Mature wooded gardens with a variety of trees and plants, from thorn trees and acacias, to fragrant frangipanis, colourful bougainvillea and giant cactus plants thrive in these surroundings. Different species of birds build their nests while monkeys with babies clinging under their bellies and squirrels dart through the gardens. The Lodge boasts of, Gift shop, Laundry,  Swimming pool, Children’s pool, Evening turn down service, Baby sitting, Balloon safaris, Nature walks, Car wash
		Oltukai Lodge

• Amboseli Lodge

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• Tortillis Camp

Camping Safaris

Campsites: Olgulului Public Campsite and Nairushari Campsite