Amboseli

The Amboseli National Park was established in 1968 as a Reserve and declared in 1974 as National Park. Amboseli is located about 260 kms from Nairobi, on the border of the neighbouring Tanzania. It covers about 392 kmq consisting of a mixed topography of plains, acacia, woodland, rocky thorn bushes, swamps and marshes. The underground rivers from the nearby mount Kilimanjaro feed the falls and swamps where during the dry season the animals gathers around for food and water. Its magnificent position at the bottom of Kilimanjaro offers an excellent opportunity to view the mountain while enjoying the early morning in savanna. The park is famous for its large herds of african elephants, over 900 elephants and easily seen in the park, the best place to admire these wonderful and giant creatures. There are also huge herds of wildebeest among other animals. It has also a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, which is almost dry apart from during the rainy season. The dry plains caused by the long dry season make the park unique, with breathtaking backdrop for viewing and enjoying the wild animals; The Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, rhino) giraffes, zebras, hyenas, variety of antelopes, impala, cheetahs among others. There are also a wide variety of birds; african skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffaloes weavers, palm nuts vultures, secretary birds among others. Its also a stopover for migratory birds. View or climb the highest freestanding mountain in africa with its 5895 m.