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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.
Park
Entry Fees
|
|
Adult
|
Child
|
Student
|
| Citizens
|
Ksh.
200 |
Ksh.
100 |
Ksh.
50 |
| Residents
|
Ksh.
1000 |
Ksh.
500 |
Ksh.100
|
| Non-residents
|
US$40
|
US$20
|
US$10
|
Remember
to Get a Smartcard when Visiting |
