Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist parks, crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. The name “Amboseli” is derived from a Maasai word that means “salty dust,” which is a fitting description of the park’s dry conditions.
One of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants up close is at the reserve. Big cats like lion and cheetah, as well as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and over 600 species of birds, can all be found in the park.
The dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and woodlands are among the five habitats available for visitors to explore. Seek out the Maasai people who live in the park’s immediate vicinity.
Wildlife Highlights
Elephants are Amboseli’s specialty. In the mornings and evenings, large herds of cattle roam the dusty plains. During the day, the elephants spend most of their time partially submerged in the Ol Okenya swamp, foraging. The Amboseli elephants carry particularly impressive ivory and are very relaxed around cars because they have been protected from poaching for a long time.
When is the best time to see wildlife?
Amboseli is open all year, but the best time to see wildlife is during the dry season, which runs from June to October, when animals congregate around marshes and other predictable water sources. Animals crossing the sandy plains kick up a lot of dust when it’s dry, which makes for some great photo opportunities when the light is low.
