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Travel Destination Guide - Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park (Kenya) 
Amboseli National Park Information
Slideshow of Photos
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The Amboseli national park offers one of the most classic and breathtaking views of Kenya , the gigantic Kilimanjaro mountain, with its 5,985 m dominating the plains like a powerful god ruling the world from his silver throne.
The national park was gazetted in 1974 with an extension of 392 km², though it is surrounded by a much larger reserve in which the Maasai people settle and breed their cattle. The Amboseli territory belongs to the land of the Maasai, the legendary tribe of nomad warriors and shepherds that feed on a mixture of blood and milk.
Amboseli is a very fragile ecosystem, submitted to great seasonal variations. The overall sensation is of a dry land, in fact annual rainfalls are scarce, in the range of 350-400 mm. The northwestern area is occupied by the dry bed of the Amboseli Lake , which for a large part of the year is nothing but a huge frying pan covered with shattered saline earth populated with dusty whirlwinds. The mirages blend with the herds of zebra and wildebeest that traverse the scalding plain one after one, crestfallen and with a weary and lost look.
Locality:
Amboseli is located in the Rift Valley province, close to the Tanzanian border northwest of Kilimanjaro. Despite the high temperatures, the park's lands are elevated above 1,180 m. The mountain's summits remain hidden by the clouds for the most part of the day, dawn being the best moment to catch a view of its snowy square head.
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The sole attraction to Amboseli is the safari experience along with an experience of tribe culture and some breathtaking scenery. The vast plain starts in the dry bed of Amboseli Lake , that welcomes the visitor with its desolating image.
Southward and eastward the area named Ol Tukai shows up, a patch of luxuriant green that hides some of the park's lodges. Following southward there is a palm tree forest, a cool oasis that supplies shade, water and shelter for plenty of wildlife. To both sides of the forest it's the swamps' reign, and at the western part rises the Observation Hill, the only height in the park, a smooth hill to be climbed on foot that displays a magnificent view of the whole park and beyond. Southward, the layers of volcanic rocks expelled by Kilimanjaro some hundreds of years back rise to the surface, giving the landscape a lunar aspect. Right at the edge of the lava flow there is another lodge, the Amboseli Serena. Finally, at the south border of the park lay several Maasai villages next to the Tortilis Camp.
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Population: 33.829.600
Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), and numero
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Currency code: KES
Local Times:
Kenya - Nairobi
Country Dialling Code: +254
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
 
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Kenya is the 'Land of the Lion King' and sits at the centre of the African safari experience, with an outstanding variety of wild animals and Big Five opportunities. Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than splendid wildlife. Essentially it is a place for outdoor living - the coast offers beaches and water-based activities, the mountains present a challenge to hikers and climbers, and the rolling savannahs are a game-viewers paradise.
The Republic of Kenya (Jamhuri ya Kenya) is located on the equator in East Africa. Kenya has an area of 224,961 square miles, slightly smaller then Texas with a population of 26,164,000 and growing. The capital is Nairobi holding a population of 1,200,000, seventy percent of which are African. Although English is the official language there are hundreds of different tribal dialects currently in use with Swahili being the most popular. Kenya is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Indian Ocean which provides some of the best beaches along Kenya's coast.
The country sits astride the equator and offers fabulous scenery and a variety of tribal cultures. From its central location, the sacred peaks of Mt Kenya reign over a landscape primarily covered by grasslands and thorn trees, much of it enclosed within its many parks and reserves. To the west the spectacular Great Rift Valley is sprinkled with lakes teeming with a variety of birdlife, whose shores and surrounds are traversed by agricultural farmlands. To the east lies the promise of an idyllic beach holiday with the requisite white palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs. Inhabiting the highlands and Rift Valley are two of the most well known of the numerous tribal cultures, the Kikuyu farmers and the tall, red-clad Masai cattle herders. The coast is home to ancient Swahili civilisations and old port towns that are rich in a history of exotic spice trading and fighting.
Kenya has a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, with two major cities controlling the majority of the tourism trade. Nairobi, the capital, is the safari and hiking hub, situated in the cool Central Highlands, while on the east coast the hot and humid trading port of Mombasa functions as the gateway to the resorts and pristine beaches of the area. Sadly the heavy influence of tourism has meant excessive prices for safaris, souvenirs and most activities of interest to foreigners, as well as the constant hassle by touts, guides and sellers to part with as much money as they can dupe the guilty traveller into spending.
Despite this, the people are friendly and visitors can choose to do as little or as much as they like, and the combination of wildlife, together with its beaches and mountains, make Kenya a fantastic holiday destination.
Relax on a tropical beach enjoying the glorious Kenya sunshine or enjoy the 'Real Africa' and combine your holiday with our range of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 night safari options - it's up to you!
Most of Kenya safari packages can be included within a 7 or 14 night holiday allowing you the freedom and flexibiility of creating your own, very special, once in a lifetime experience.
The startling contrasts of landscape and the outstanding natural beauty of Kenya must be seen to be believed. Long stretches of white sandy beaches are lapped by crystal clear, turquoise waters protected by the coral reef, which runs almost the entire length of the coast.
Inland, nowhere on earth can claim such a dense profusion of wildlife in such spectacular surroundings. From the legendary wilderness of Tsavo, ASC's exclusive Kimana game reserve, the majestic peak of Kilimanjaro, the rain forests of Mount Kenya to the stunning savannah of the Masai Mara - Kenya really does welcome you to a lifetime experience.
From the moment you arrive in Kenya, you will be struck by the warmth and friendliness of the local people who are genuinely happy to receive guests from anywhere, perhaps a leftover from bygone days. |
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Amboseli National Park Travel Awards
Local Area Weather
Nairobi/Jomo Kenyatta Airport, KENYA |
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