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Amboseli National Park

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AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

“Home of the African Elephant”

Situated in the southern region of Kenya, Amboseli National Park stands as a renowned wildlife conservation area, enticing visitors with its stunning rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. It is a home to iconic wildlife, hosting four members of the Big Five, from lions to the graceful zebras and countless number of bird species in its swamps and wetlands.

Amboseli is celebrated for its exceptional opportunities for close encounters with free-roaming members of the Big Five. The park is a home to large numbers of African elephants, creating the perfect opportunity for an up close view of up to fifty herds of elephants in one safari, making it a prime destination for both photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Its unique charm lies in its authentic and rich Maasai culture ability to offer unforgettable safari experience in an inspiring natural beauty of Mother Nature and, making it a must - visit destination for anyone looking to experience the magic of the Kenyan wilderness.

 

  • Bird watching
  • Camping
  • Game viewing
  • Photography
  • Scenic

By Road: The park is accessible through Iremito, Kimana,  and Meshanani gates.

  1. Via Emali to Iremito gate on the main Nairobi- Mombasa road. (204km) At Emali turn to the Emali-Loitokitok road. Follow signs to the right leading to Amboseli via Iremito Gate.
  2. Alternatively continue on Loitokitok road to Kimana shopping center and follow the signs to the park through Kimana Gate.
  3. Nairobi – Namanga via Meshanani Gate (220km) the road is tarmacked up to Namanga and murramed from Namanga to Meshanani Gate.
  4. There is a road linking Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Parks. The road will lead you to the park through Kimana gate (240km).

By Air; The park has a single tarmacked airstrip –Kimana airstrip (1.2km long) for light aircraft. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro Buffalo Lodge and Namanga town.

AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Citizen

Resident

Non-Resident

Adults

KSH

Child

KSH

Adult

KSH

Child

KSH

Adult

USD

Child

 

860 215

860

215

60

35

MODE OF PAYMENT: Through Ecitizen  (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/ ) via MPesa, Visa Card, RTGS ,Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Security/Guided tour per guide:

• Ksh. 1,720 – up to 4 hours

• Ksh. 3,015 – Over 4 hours

Vehicle charges per day

No. of Seats          KSH.

• Less than 6 seats             KSH.300

• 6-12 seats                      KSH.1,030

• 13-24seats                      KSH.2,585

• 25-44 seats                     KSH.4,050

• 45 seats and above         KSH.5,000 

 

The big game and great scenic beauty where the landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro and the hundreds of elephants congregating around the swamps is definitely a spectacle. The unrivalled views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest free standing mountain in Africa rising at 5,896m above sea level and its snowcapped summit dominates the landscape and on clear days it is clearly visible during early mornings and afternoons making it a superb backdrop for wildlife photography.

The Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats (Savanna grassland, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin. Within this basin is a temporary lake Amboseli that floods during heavy rainy seasons thus attracting flamingoes. The lake is characterized by very alkaline water but is usually extremely dry and dusty during the hot and dry season, weather that characterizes the Amboseli ecosystem most of the year. This lake is situated in Nyiri Desert that expands towards the southern border of Kenya and Tanzania covering Amboseli National Park.

 

Water springs associated with Mt. Kilimanjaro give rise to several swamps in the park e.g. Enkong Narok swamp and other permanent swamps which are critical to wildlife in the Amboseli ecosystem.

Amboseli is one of the 60 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Kenya and thus it is recognized as globally significant for bird conservation. The ecosystem has a rich birdlife with over 400 species recorded, of which 40 are birds of prey. Observation Hill-Nomatior - Offers a panoramic view of the Park and hiking is worth the effort. It was inhabited many years by hunters and honey gatherers called the Ndorobo. Signs and traces of their property and implements have been found here giving rise to the Maasai name Nomatior; the place of pottery.

Lemomo Hill - Situated in Kitenden conservancy approximately 3km from the park boundary. The hill peak is the highest observation point that offers the best views of the park and other key areas of the ecosystem Ol tukai - The heart of Amboseli woodland of yellow fever trees and the doum palm known as Ol tukai by the Maasai and Makindu in Swahili. Ol tukai is a cool oasis of tress and a retreat for wildlife greatly favored by Elephants and Lions.

Rich Maasai Culture - Visit Amboseli for a lifetime experience of the Maasai culture. Interact with Maasai in their bomas-the Manyatta and established cultural centers. Their largely livestock grazing lifestyle has been important in conserving wildlife resources in the Amboseli Ecosystem Resource center and Museums -Situated at Noonkotiak and Lemong’o areas respectively about 6km from Kimana gate. Avails key information on the ecosystem.

 

Visitors can enjoy game viewing, bird watching, picnicking, photography, camping, cultural tourism and balloon safaris.

Set in the quietude of nature, KWS offers a modest and wide range of self-catering accommodation options targeting the budget traveler. Whether you are looking to get away from the exhausting grind of life, a break away from the hustle and bustle of the city right into the serenity of bush, or you just long to soak in your senses and reconnect with nature, KWS bandas and guesthouses offer the perfect ambience

Amboseli N. Park offers the following:

Kilimanjaro Guest House:

Accommodation; 1 unit, 7pax

First bedroom – One double bed.

Second bedroom-One double bed.

Third bedroom– Three single beds.

Amenities; Bathroom, furnished sitting area with DSTV, open plan dining area, kitchen equipped with gas stove, fridge, kitchen utensils, beddings, soap and electricity. A house caretaker is available.

 

Rates;

Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 12,000

Non-Residents: US$ 240

 

Kilimanjaro Annex:

Accommodation; 1 unit; 4pax

Two bedrooms each with a double bed.

Amenities; Bathrooms, electricity, kitchen, fridge, kitchen utensils, bedding and soaps.  A house caretaker is available.

Rates;

Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 6,000

Non-Residents: US$ 100

 

Simba Cottages:

Accommodation; 2units; 2pax per unit

One unit has one double bed and the other unit has two single beds.

Amenities; Well-equipped kitchenette, fridge, gas cooker, beddings and soaps. Lighting is by electricity. A house caretaker is available.

Rates;

Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 4,000

Non-Residents: US$ 90

 

Chui Cottages:

Accommodation; 2units, 2pax per unit

Each unit has a bedroom with 2 single beds

Amenities; Well-equipped kitchenette, fridge, gas cooker, beddings and soaps. Lighting is by electricity. A house caretaker is available.

Rates;

Citizens & Residents: Ksh. 4,000

Non-Residents: US$ 90

 

Camping: Public Campsites

  • Amboseli

For this category standard amenities are provided; water, toilet/bathroom and kitchen area.

Public campsites do not require prior booking.

*Reservation of bandas/guesthouses is done through the park warden or through KWS headquarters reservations desk; reservations@kws.go.ke 

*Prevailing camping rates apply per person per day for both special and public campsites exclusive other park charges.

 

Privately Owned Lodges:

  • Ol Tukai Lodge
  • Amboseli Serena Lodge

There are other hotels, lodges and tented camps visitors can sample outside the park.

Phone: +245 716 493 335

Email: amboselinp@kws.go.ke

 

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