The famous Amboseli National Reserve ( earlier known as Amboseli National Park) is
located close to the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is not controlled by Kenya
Wildlife Service but by Olkejiado County Council since September 2005. The
reason for doing this was that the revenue generated could benefit the local
Masai community. The Maasai community of the Amboseli area had been waiting for
the return of their land for over 30 years.
They are now satisfied with the decision made by the Kenyan Government to have the Maasai people determine their own future. Amboseli national reserve is famous for its strong population of approximately 650 elephants. You can also spot zebra, impala, gnu, hippopotamus, buffalo, spotted hyena, waterbuck, maasai giraffe and sometimes the cheetah and the endangered black Rhino. The majestic Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from the the reserve which is about 40 Km from the Amboseli National Reserve. Even though the Amboseli national park is just 392 square km, it still has a perfect balance of nature and is able to support mammals of wide variety. It is also recognized as an international biosphere reserve. You can find hundreds of species of the world and over 50 mammal species over here. The landscape is rugged and atmosphere is mystical and romantic. Park rangers have often noticed birds that have migrated from as far as Saint Petersburg, Russia. Amboseli National Reserve is popular for its travel and tourism attractions.
Mount Kilimanjaro erupted thousands of years ago but still there are many areas in the reserve which have a dusty appearance. The melting snow from Mount Kilimanjaro makes some underground streams, springs, marshes and swamps which helps to sustain the lush green ecosystem and therefore helps to sustain the wildlife even in this low rainfall area. From the Observation hill (Located at the southern part of the park) you can see the impressive 360° panoramic view over the park and the mountains surrounding the park and also view the arid lakebed which often produces the mirage in the heat. The Amboseli lake-bed is subject to sporadic floods and noxious salts in the gravel bed. Most of the dry-lake bed is covered by alkaline white ashes.
Very near from the capital city Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is the third most popular travel and tourism wildlife park in Kenya. The weather is pleasant in July and the best time to go is in high summer after the rainy season. Kenya has over 200 airports and air travel is cheap. Jomo Kenyatta International airport is a good choice to enter the country. There is a small airport in Amboseli, the Amboseli Airport (HKAM). The nyama choma (barbecue of goat) and matoke (mashed plantains) with beer is famous. Visitor facilities include four lodges and several campsites are also available in Amboseli National Park.
