Amboseli National Park

Overview

Amboseli National Park is world famous for its large elephant herds and the magnificent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5,895 metres. Hundreds of elephants roam the swamps and grassland at the foot of the mountain, one of the most breathtaking wildlife sights on earth. The park is also home to lions, buffalo, giraffes and birds of prey, and the sight of Kilimanjaro turning rose pink at sunrise is unforgettable.

History

Amboseli was established as a national park in 1974 and became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991. It is here that the longest-running study of wild African elephants was begun in 1972, work that underpins much of what is known about elephant society. The park is also home to Maasai communities, who graze cattle alongside the wildlife.

Highlights

• •The full sweep of Kilimanjaro
• •Elephant herds crossing the swamps
• •The Big Five

Practical tips

• •The mountain is clearest in the early morning
• •April and May are the long rains, when some tracks flood

Practical information

Best time

June to October, January to February

Tickets

About USD 70 per day

Opening hours

6:00 to 18:00

Local food

Grilled meat, maize porridge and tropical fruit

Getting around

Mostly wildlife reserves, reached by four-wheel drive with a guide

Visa

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is required and can be arranged entirely online. Book safari itineraries and accommodation in advance.

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