{"id":303,"date":"2023-10-02T10:45:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T10:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mbuinzaukenyasafaris.com\/?p=303"},"modified":"2023-10-02T11:02:45","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T11:02:45","slug":"amboseli-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webscreationsdesign.co.uk\/kenyaholidays\/amboseli-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things You Probably Didn\u2019t Know About Amboseli National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

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About Amboseli National Park \u2013 Kenya<\/h2><\/div>
Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa\u2019s highest peak, the Amboseli National Parks is one of Kenya\u2019s most popular parks. The name \u201cAmboseli\u201d comes from a Maasai word meaning \u201csalty dust\u201d, and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture.<\/div><\/div>[vc_single_image image=”305″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” image_hovers=”false”]
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Amboseli history and overview<\/h2><\/div>
Amboseli was declared a national reserve in 1968. It became a national park in 1974. However, in 2005, President Mwai Kibaki transferred control from the Kenya Wildlife Service to the Olkejuedo County Council and its residents, the Maasai tribe. This is still being contested in the courts because of its implications that could jeopardize Kenya\u2019s other national parks.<\/p>\n

Amboseli National Park covers 392km\u00b2 (151miles\u00b2) and has a mixed topography of\u00a0plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0marshes<\/strong>. This diversity, along with a long dry season, ensures excellent viewing of the large concentrations of African animals living in this natural habitat.<\/p>\n

With its awesome view of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa\u2019s highest mountain at 5,895m), Amboseli National Park offers a unique and breathtaking backdrop for viewing Africa\u2019s animals. It also has a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, after the rains.<\/p>\n

Amboseli offers some of the best opportunities to see African animals because its vegetation is sparse due to the long dry months. Amboseli National Park is home to wild animals, which include the African elephant, buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, hyena, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest among other African animals. There is also a host of Kenya birds, both large and small, to see if you keep your eyes open and stop at every sighting.<\/p>\n

When you arrive at the park, the warden will give you several common sense rules: do not get out of your vehicle, except at designated spots; do not harass the animals in any way; keep to the tracks; no off-road driving; and remember that the animals always have the right of way. The roads in Amboseli have a loose surface of volcanic soil that is dusty in the dry season and impassable in the wet season.<\/p>\n

It can be a long, hot day on a Kenya wildlife safari, so wear cool, comfortable clothing and a sunhat. Remember to bring your camera, binoculars, sunglasses and water to drink.<\/div><\/div>

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Weather and climate in Amboseli national park<\/h3><\/div>
The climate in the Amboseli region is hot and dry. The national park is in the rain shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, as it lies on the northwest side. Average temperatures vary only slightly throughout the year. The minimum average daily temperature is 27\u00b0C and the maximum is 33\u00b0C. Drought is typical in this area, and evaporation is high. A total annual rainfall of just 300mm is expected during April and May, and again during November and December.<\/p>\n

Best Time to Visit \u2013 Amboseli national park<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Although Amboseli can be visited at any time of year it is recommended to go in the dry months, which are from June to October and January to February. The short rains peak in November and the long rains in April and May \u2013 these months are not recommended for wildlife viewing. During these wet months, animals tend to spread out and are less inclined to come to predictable water sources.<\/p>\n

Views of Kilimanjaro are hit-and-miss, but chances are best early morning and late afternoon in the Wet season months from November to May, when the sky is clear of dust.<\/p>\n

June to October\u00a0\u2013<\/span>Dry Season<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n