It also has a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, after the rains. 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, and 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.

Amboseli history and overview

Amboseli was declared a national park in 1974. However, in 2005, president 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’s other national parks.

Amboseli national park covers 392km2 (151miles2) and has a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush, swamps and marshes. This diversity, along with a long dry season, ensures excellent viewing of the large concentrations of African animal’s living in this natural habitat.

With its awesome view of Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m), amboseli national park offers a unique and breathtaking backdrop for viewing Africa’s animals. It also has a dry Pleistocene lake basin that houses a temporary lake, Lake Amboseli, after the rains. 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, and 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.

When you arrive at the park, the warden will give you several common sense rules: do not get out of the 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.

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

Weather and climate in amboseli national park

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 northern side. Average temperatures vary only slightly throughout the year. The minimum average daily temperature is 27c and the maximum is 33c. 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.

How to get to amboseli national park

By road: book an open-topped minibus or safari van tour with a tour guide.

The road from Nairobi to Namanga (240km/149miles) is tarmac, but becomes rough with potholes from Namanga to the mashenani gate. Access from Mombasa is generally best through Tsavo West national park via Kimana (Olkelunyiet) gate. Amboseli national; park has gates at Kelunyiet, Remito, Kitrua and airstrips.

By air: a chartered light aircraft may land at the airstrip at Empusel gate. Other airstrips exits at Namanga and Kilimanjaro buffalo lodge. You can also book a scheduled flight departing from Nairobi to Amboseli.

What to see

The main purpose of a wildlife safari is to see Kenya’s wild animals in their natural state. Many people are supposed when they see birds perched within the reach of predators, or gazelles grazing near big cats. The truth is that predators generally only kill to eat, and for the rest of the time both predators and prey live harmoniously together.

Amboseli national park is known for its large herd of over 900 free ranging elephants. This is the best national park to visit to see these wonderful and huge creatures.

View or even climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the higher freestanding mountain in the world.

Visit observation hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and of course the herds of free roaming elephants.

Meet the Maasai people and learn about the Maasai culture and their indigenous lifestyle.

Birds watching is the best between October and January if you want to see Kenya’s migratory birds, including African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures to name a few.

Best time to visit amboseli

January and February are good months to visit amboseli, as well as June through September. Avoid April and May, which may make the roads in amboseli impassable.

Temperatures year around are 27-31c (81-88f) in the day and 22-24c (72-75f) at night. For Kenya birdwatchers, the best moths to see migratory birds are October to January. The best times for viewing are early and late in the day, as animals tend to sleep in the hot midday sun.

ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK

ABERDARE HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

Created in 1950, Aberdare national park was a far-sighted decision to protect the Aberdare Mountains and surrounding wildlife. It is situated 100km (62 miles) north of Nairobi, at the very center ok Kenya.

Aberdare national park covers just 766km2, which is small compared to other national park, and has more difficult terrain due to its location in Kenya’s central highlands, to the west of Mount Kenya. The volcanic range of the Aberdare Mountains varies from the high moorland at 3000 meters (9842 feet), to the peaks of Kinangop (3906m/12814 feet) and Ol Donyo Lesatima (3999m/13123 feet).

The rich, red volcanic soil provides excellent growing conditions for the indigenous forest, and lies in stark contrast to both the forest and the mountains rugged and beautiful peaks. One of the main features of Aberdare national park is that it is home to the second largest population of black rhinos, which are an endangered species. Other animals that may be observed in the park include African lions, leopards, baboons, and black and white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys. There are also over 250 species of birds, including hawks, goshawks, eagles, sunbirds and plovers.

There are 60km (37 miles) of primary roads and 396km (246 miles) of secondary roads, but they all become virtually impassable during the rainy season, which lasts from March to May, and to a lesser degree from October to December. There is still some rainfall and mists year-round due to the high altitude of Aberdare.

Climate and weather in Aberdare national park

Although Aberdare is close to the equator, the altitude governs the climate. It is cooler than

Lower plains and coastal areas and very misty and rainy-year round.

The wettest months are during the main rainy season, which lasts from March through May, and the shorter rainy season from October to December. At these times, roads become impassable. Over 1000mm of rainfalls annually on the northwestern slopes and 3000mm on the southeastern side of Aberdare national park.

Hot to get to Aberdare national park.

By road: Aberdare is 160km (99 miles) from Nairobi. There is a tarmac road from Nyeri and Naro Moru on the eastern side of Aberdare. However, the best access route if from the towns of Nyahururu and Naivasha. Gates are situated at ruhuruina, Kiandongoro, Ark, Wandarwe and Treetops, if approaching from Nyeri from Nyahururu use the rhino Gate, Shamata Gate and from Naivasha, use the Mutubio gate.

By Air: there are two good airstrips for charted aircrafts at Nyeri and Mweiga, next to the Aberdare national park headquarters.

Attractions

Aberdare national park offers many activities and tourist attraction as well as wildlife safaris. See African elephants, lions, rhinos, black leopards and bongo antelope as well as many other animals native to Kenya.

Bird watching is good here, with over 250 species of birds recorded in Aberdare national park.

Trout fishing in the ice-cold Guru Karuru and Chania rivers is another popular activity.

You can also take time to admire Lesatima and Kinangop peaks or walk through th moorland and visit the magnificent waterfalls.

Do a nocturnal animal viewing from the ark or treetops lodges. In fact, it was while vacationing at the treetops lodge that princess Elizabeth of Great Britain learned her father had died, thus making her queen.

Best time to visit Aberdare national park.

January and February are good months to visit Aberdare, as are June to September. March to May is the heavy rainy season.