What to do in Amboseli National Park
1. Game drive
Amboseli National Park has diverse species of wild animals that inhabit the park’s open plains, rocky thorn bushes, and marsh land. It is a safari wonderland characterized by the solemnly matching matriarchs and hippos. While game drives can be conducted all day long, the best time to spot most of the wildlife is early morning and late evening. This is because during the day, when the sun is hot, the animals stay in the hideouts and only come out to drink water in the watering holes.
Some of the other animals to see at the park include; hyenas, giraffes, lions, waterbucks, buffalos, leopards, grant’s gazelles, and zebras among other animals.
Insider Tip: While exploring the Amboseli National Park, it is vital to be a responsible tourist and prioritize the preservation of wildlife and their habitats. Respect the animals by maintaining a safe distance, refrain from feeding them, and obey the park rules.
2. Cultural tours
A visit to Amboseli National Park is incomplete without partaking in a cultural tour. Surrounding the park is the Maasai community, one of Kenya’s reigning indigenous community. The Maasai are famous for their culture and cultural elements like dance, souvenirs like beaded jewelry, woven baskets, clothing popularly known as the Maasai shuka and crafts.
While enjoying the Maasai culture and heritage, visitors can engage and participate in the community’s sustainable development initiatives like afforestation and other voluntourism activities in the community.
Insider Tip: Be a responsible tourist and support the local community by buying their goods and services and respecting their culture and heritage.
3. Camping
Camping can be frolic and fun and I cannot imagine a better way to enjoy it by camping outside a lodge overlooking the majestic African giants and the beautiful view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Camping at the Amboseli National Park costs approximately $50 for adults and $25 for children at special campsites; $30 for adults and $25 for children at public campsites. I would suggest making prior enquiries about the availability and state of the campsites because they are hardly maintained.
The park has three common campsites, all of which are located outside the park. These include:
Kimana Camp Amboseli: the most common in Amboseli run by the Kenya Wildlife Service. It is located just outside the park’s Kimana gate. Set under huge acacia trees that provide shade from the scorching sun. The camp is a tented camp as well as a campsite.
Olgulului Camp Amboseli: this campsite provides a marvelous view of Mount Kilimanjaro. It about five minutes away from the park’s Meshanani gate. The camp provides all the basic amenities; though, you may be required to look a little harder for firewood.
Kimana Sanctuary: this campsite is privately owned as it is located in the nearby conservancy. It is half an hour away from the park gate and has slightly different costs that are inclusive of conservancy entrance fees.
4. Guided nature walk at the Observation Hill
Amboseli National Park is naturally endowed with scenic vegetation, swamps, and elevated view of the park’s plains and animal species at the pyramid-shaped observation hill. The observation hill is one of the places within the park, where visitors are allowed to disembark from their vehicles and proceed on foot.
Atop the hill, you can get a panoramic view of the park’s plains and diverse animal species. At the observation hill, you have access to the information centre, where there are pasted boards with facts about wildlife like baboons, lions, and birds at the park. Similarly, you can view the scenic Lake Amboseli with its beautiful flamingoes on one side and the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro on the other.
5. Bird watching
The park provides a home to over 400 species of birds that can be spotted in the marsh area, grasslands, and woodlands. Some of the unmissable birds here include the greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, long toed lap claw, Rufous chatter, Spike-heeled heron, Tavete golden weaver, common redshank, and Dickinson’s kestrel. Birds can be difficult to sight when at a distance, therefore, having your binoculars is necessary.
Insider Tip: To get the most out of this activity, bird watching is best done during the wet season (April to June and November to December) when migratory birds are in the Amboseli region.
6. Hot Air Balloon Safari
A hot air balloon ride is one of the most fulfilling activities. Taking a hot air balloon ride allows you to fly the Amboseli skies while enjoying an aerial view of the park. You can see elephant herds and buffalos across the plains while mingling with birds of the air.
7. Photography
With a scenic backdrop of the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is a delight for nature lovers. It provides the best contrasts, terrain, and landscapes to capture the best of flora and fauna. The great experiences are worth capturing on your lenses for good memories and nostalgia. Amboseli is also known as a spectacular spot for wildlife photography and film-making.
8. Wildlife Conservation and Research at the Elephant Research Camp
The African elephants at the Amboseli are among the most studied elephants in Kenya and globally. The research camp is located within the park under the guidance and leadership of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.
While the research camp is not open to casual visits, visitors can make prior arrangements for interactive sessions with the researchers to learn about their research work and the issues associated with elephant conservation. It’s also a great opportunity for you to be involved in conservation tourism by making donations to support elephant conservation efforts, participating in the elephant naming ceremony, and becoming a member of the Elatia family.
