Amboseli National Park

Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Established as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National Park in 1974, The Park covers 392 sq km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 sq km Amboseli ecosystem.

Amboseli, meaning "Salty Dust" in the Maasai language is an important rangeland for the Maasai culture whilst the 'salty dust' itself is volcanic ash from the eruptions of the Mount Kilimanjaro a millennium ago.

The Amboseli ecosystem is typical of the open savannah grassland habitats of Eastern Africa, featuring open wooded grasslands, rolling hills and swamplands whilst the presence of Mount Kilimanjaro creates a unique sustenance of ecosystems found nowhere else on earth.

The Amboseli basin is fed by springs that provide a permanent source of water during the dry season, while the river systems north of the basin form a seasonal flood plain that is used by migratory animals during the rainy seasons. Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.

Over 53 species of herbivores and carnivores can be viewed with ease, the most conspicuous being the troops of over one thousand elephant who range the plains and wallow the swamps. A number of other unique animals also populate the area including lion, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, rhino, wildebeest, gerenuks, impalas, gazelles, hyenas, baboons, bats and about 425 different species of birds.

Location:
On the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South Kenya; Covers 392 sq km.

Climate:
The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The maximum average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C. An annual rainfall of 300mm per annum is distributed in two seasons: April/May and November/December. Recurrent droughts and potential evaporation of 2200mm per annum typifies the region (KWS, 1991).

HOW TO GET THERE
Roads:
The main road into the Park is from Nairobi are via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road, via Meshanani Gate. The other road is via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa Road. The road is tarmac up to Emali and murram from Emali to Remito Gate (64 km) Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate.

Airstrips:
The Park has a single airstrip for light aircraft at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo lodge and Namanga town.

Park Roads:
Viewing roads network covers the park adequately. Many of the park viewing roads are not usable during the rains and because of the loose ashy nature of volcanic soil, the roads become very dusty during the dry season.

Park Gates:
The Park has five gates, Kelunyiet, lremito, Ilmeshanan, Kitirua and Airstrip.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Mt. Meru
• Observation Hill which allows an overall view of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
• Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle

FACILITIES
Lodges:
Oltukai Lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, Kimana Lodge, Tortilis Tented Lodge.

Campsites:
Nairushari Special, Olgulului Public Campsite, Abercrombie & Kent Tented Camp, Ker & Downy Tented Camp, Chyulu Tented Camp, Kimbla Campsite, Cottar's Tented Camp, Leopard Tented Camp, Tortilis Tented Camp.