Amboseli lies on the border with Tanzania, Kajiado District in the southern part of Kenya and covers an area of 392km2.
The Amboseli national park and its surrounds offers one of the most classic and breathtaking views of Kenya, the gigantic Kilimanjaro mountain, with its 5,985 m dominating the plains. The image of elephants wandering across grass plains with the snowy
peak of Mt Kilimanjaro in the background for most travelers is Amboseli. It is also renowned for its elephant populations and large herds, including some impressively tusked bulls.
Due to its rich volcanic dust, it has wildlife habitats ranging from rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland, open plains and acacia woodlands. The park is home to more than just Elephants, herds of wildebeest, giraffes, zebra and impala graze
on the open plains. Carnivores such as include lion, leopard, caracal, cheetah, jackal, hyena and serval cat are also found roaming the plains hunting for prey. The acacia forest is home to many bird species.
This area is home to many Maasai, the legendary tribe of nomad warriors communities centered around the Amboseli National Park and many lodges and camps organize trips to local Maasai villages (manyattas) to experience the Maasai
culture
firsthand. The Maasai build their manyatta using wooden sticks and poles plastered with cow manure. The Maasai warriors can be recognized by their long and slender bodies, defined faces, characteristically red clothes and their braided and ochre stained hair.
Amboseli is a 4 hour drive from Nairobi. The nearest town is Namanga, on the Kenya/ Tanzania border. There are daily scheduled flights from both Nairobi and the coast. Amboseli has a central airstrip.
