Amboseli National Park is renowned as the best place in the world for up-close encounters with immense herds of elephant. Lion, giraffe, cheetah and zebra also number among a vast range of wildlife that roams through the park’s famously diverse habitats.
To the south, the horizon is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, with the clearest views normally available at dawn and dusk. Amboseli safari holidays will often incorporate cultural visits to Maasai communities around the park, while a trip to Observation Hill is a must, for incredible panoramas across one of the jewels in Kenya’s crown.
Location: 5 hours drive south of Nairobi
With some 700 elephants, along with hippopotamus, lion, giraffe, crocodile and leopard, as well as numerous species of monkey and birdlife, Amboseli National Park is a dream for game viewing. Known locally as the ‘Kilimanjaro Royal Court’ for its proximity to Africa’s highest mountain, the park’s varied habitat, from flat grasslands to forest, is ideal for game drives either early in the morning, or after tea, when the animals tend to be at their most active.
Combine with a bush breakfast or sundowners, and an unforgettable Kenya safari experience starts coming together.
There are several welcoming Maasai communities on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park, where visitors can enjoy an insightful, authentic experience, learning about ancient pastoral lifestyles, tribal customs, and the history of the Maasai people in Kenya.
Immersive cultural encounters, whether they involve taking part in traditional ceremonies, discussions with tribal leaders, or getting involved with community projects and handicrafts, are often a high point of any Kenyan safari holiday, participants emerging with a deeper understanding of and respect for the Maasai way of life.
