Amboseli National Park

Elephant | Killimanjaro | Kenya

The Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya’s best loved reserves and is situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Although Kilimanjaro is located across the border in Tanzania, its snow capped peak dominates the vistas of Amboseli, rising up through the clouds. Previously known as the Amboseli National Park, the area was renamed the Amboseli National Reserve in 2005 in a move that effectively gave the land back to its previous Masaai owners, allowing them to benefit fully from any tourism activity on the reserve. The Kenya Wildlife Service provides guidance and assistance around the conservation of one of Kenya’s most prized resources.

The national reserve covers an area of 392 sq km and was once a popular hunting area - famous American author Ernest Hemingway is said to have based many of his big game hunting tales around his experiences in the region. Despite its relatively small size, Amboseli hosts a large number of mammals and birds. The melting snows of Kilimanjaro provide permanent drinking water in the form of springs and swamps, bringing much needed nourishment to an otherwise arid region.

Animals found in Amboseli include elephants, lion, buffalo, leopard and a host of plains game, creating a haven for avid photographers. Hippo can be found near the springs and the prolific birdlife include species that have migrated here from Russia! But Amboseli is all about the elephants – there are estimated to be around 650 individuals in the reserve, giving it the highest concentration of elephant anywhere in Kenya. Up close encounters with elephants are almost guaranteed as you watch the sun set in one of Kenya’s finest reserves.

Photo Gallery

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Additional Information

Surrounding the national park is a series of wildlife concessions with eco-accredited lodges and tented camps owned and managed by local Maasai communities. Being on private land, concessions are able to offer guests night safaris, wildlife walks and Maasai village visits, strictly limiting visitor numbers. Ultimately you are not bound by the rules of the park itself.

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Page last updated on 18 Dec 2009