Amboseli National Reserve (formerly Amboseli National Park)

Amboseli National Park, now Amboseli National Reserve, is home to the largest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, which makes it a popular tourist destination after the Masai Mara. Amboseli also features five different wildlife habitats including the lake bed of Lake Amboseli, sulfur springs surrounded by swamps and marshes, open plains, woodlands, and areas of lava rock thorn bush.

Picture - Sunrise over Amboseli National Park.

Picture - Dirt Road in Amboseli National Park.

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The area around Amboseli is home to many Maasai communities as well as six communally owned group ranches surrounding the reserve.

Amboseli National Reserve is known for the large herds of elephant and bird watchers will enjoy a visit to the forested area. Other common wildlife includes lion, cheetah, Maasai giraffe, eland, Coke's hartebeest, waterbuck, impala and gazelle. A visit to Enkongo Narok Swamp guarantees a variety of bird and wildlife activities.

In 1883, Joseph Thomson was the first European to enter this area of Maasai country known as Embosel (meaning dust in Maasai) and the name portrays an accurate picture of the hot dry climate. The erratic rainfall over the years made Lake Amboseli almost totally dry up but heavy rainfall in 1992 saw a return of water to the lake. The heavy rains caused flooding in large areas of Amboseli National Reserve but this also created a far greener landscape.

Official site: www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/AMNP.html

Address: Box 356, Kenya

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Related Attractions

Serena Lodge

Serena Lodge offers excellent birdwatching in the tropical gardens, impressive views of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and wildlife viewing. Around the Serena Lodge, big game animals such as lion, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, gazelle and wildebeest can be seen. The lodge provides good views of the wetlands, which are home to numerous water birds and are often visited by elephants.

The Serena Lodge was built in the style of traditional Maasai dwellings. In addition to the native Maasai architecture, the rooms are decorated with authentic African art and murals painted by a local artists. Cultural lectures, game drives, walking or hiking opportunities and authentic African cuisine are highlights of the Serena Lodge.

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Namanga, Kenya

Namanga is a border town with part in Tanzania and the other part in Kenya. The border posts are open 24 hours. Overlooking Namanga is Oi-Doinyo Orok, or Black Mountain, which is sacred to the Maasai. Namanga's economy is very dependent on tourism as travelers visiting Amboseli National Park pass though the town on their way from Nairobi. The town is perfect as a rest stop or for restocking supplies.

Within Namanga visitors will find Maasai women selling beaded jewelry and other Maasai handicrafts. The town of Namanga is a mixture of various tribes however the outer limits of the town have a large Maasai population.

Kimana Community Wildlife Sanctuary

Kimana Community Wildlife Sancturary has set a precedent for being the first community owned and managed wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. The Sanctuary lies in the game migration corridor linking the Amboseli and Tsavo.

A range of habitats is found within Kimana Community Wildlife Sancturary such as swamp, savannah plains and woodland. This range of habitat provides for diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, gazelles, giraffe, elephant, buffalo and hippos.

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