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Amboseli
National Park - "Kilimanjaro's Royal Court..."
Background
Information
Amboseli lies immediately North West of Mt. Kilimanjaro,
on the border with Tanzania. Amboseli was established
as a reserve in 1968 and gazetted as a National
Park in 1974. The Park covers 392 km2, and forms
part of the much larger 3,000 Km2 Amboseli ecosystem.
Large concentrations of wildlife occur here in the
dry season, making Amboseli a popular tourist destination.
It is surrounded by 6 communally owned group ranches.
The
National Park embodies 5 main wildlife habitats
(open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush
country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of
a pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within this basin
is a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, that floods
during years of heavy rainfall. Amboseli is famous
for its big game and its great scenic beauty - the
landscape is dominated by Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Location:
On the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District, South
Kenya; Covers 392km2
Climate:
The climate is mainly hot and dry. Amboseli is in
the rain shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The maximum
average temperature of the warmest month is 33°C
during the day, while that of the coldest is 27-28°C.
An annual rainfall of 300mm per annum is distributed
in two seasons: April/May and November/December.
Recurrent droughts and potential evaporation of
2200mm per annum typifies the region (KWS, 1991).
HOW
TO GET THERE
Roads:
The main road into the Park is from Nairobi are
via Namanga (240 km) on the Nairobi - Arusha Road,
via Meshanani Gate. The road is tarmac upto Namanga
but is badly corrugated and potholed in places from
Namanga to Meshanani Gate (75km). The other road
and via Emali (228 km) on the Nairobi - Mombasa
Road. The road is tarmac up to Emali and murram
from Emali to Remito Gate (64 km) Access from Mombasa
is mainly through Tsavo West via Kimana (Olkelunyiet)
Gate.
Airstrips:
The park has a single airstrip for light aircraft
at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exist at Kilimanjaro
Buffalo lodge and Namanga town.
Park
Roads:
Viewing roads network covers the park adequately.
Many of the park viewing roads are not usable during
the rains and because of the loose ashy nature of
volcanic soil, the roads become very dusty during
the dry season.
Park
Gates:
The park has five gates, Kelunyiet, lremito, Ilmeshanan;
Kitirua and Airstrip.
MAJOR
ATTRACTIONS
* Mt. Kilimanjaro
* Mt. Meru
* Observation Hill which allows an overall view
of the whole park especially the swamps and elephants,
* Contemporary Maasai culture and indigenous lifestyle
FACILITIES
Lodges:
Oltukai Lodge; Amboseli Serena Lodge; Kimana Lodge;
Tortilis Tented Lodge.
Campsites:
Nairushari Special; Olgulului Public Campsite; Abercrombie
& Kent Tented Camp; Ker & Downy Tented Camp;
Chyulu Tented Camp; Kimbla Campsite; Cottar's Tented
Camp; Leopard Tented Camp; Tortilis Tented Camp.
ACTIVITIES
Wildlife
viewing.
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