Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular parks in Kenya. It’s located in the south of the country; it lies on the Tanzania border, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park also attracts visitors because of its huge herds of elephants. There are also many predators like the lions, cheetahs and the leopards.
A natural swamp, fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro, is filled with large pods of very contented hippos, crocodiles and many bird species. There are not many trees, but the vast open plains mean that wildlife spotting is a cinch here, and very rewarding. Even though the landscape is dry, the earth is a wonderfully rich red color and stunningly beautiful.
Observation Hill situated close to the swamps in the park is a perfect picnic spot, offering visitors the chance to stretch their legs and soak in the view, while listening to contented hippos munch on the grass below.
Amboseli National Park covers 392km and has a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and the marshes. It was declared a national park in 1968 and it became a national park in 1974. By road, the drive to Amboseli takes around 4 hours. The main road to the park is from Nairobi via Namanga on the Nairobi – Arusha road through Meshanani Gate. The other road is from Nairobi via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi – Mombasa Road. Access from Mombasa is mainly through Tsavo West National Park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) Gate. The park can also be accessed by Air.