Kenya Destination: Amboseli National Park

The name “Amboseli” originated from Maasai word meaning salty dusty. The Amboseli National Park formerly known as Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve is a protected are in Kenya whereby its ecosystem spreads across Kenya-Tanzania border covering an area of 39,206ha. The park is the second popular safari destination after Maasai Mara National Reserve and it is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, the savannah and woodlands. They can also visit the local Maasai community who live around the park and experience their authentic culture. The park protects two main swamps which attracts a lot of animal and birdlife in semi-arid vegetation and dried up lake. Amboseli National Park offers some of the best opportunities to see African wildlife because the vegetation is sparse due to the long, dry months. The protected area is home to African bush elephant, Cape buffalo, impala, lion, cheetah, spotted hyena, Masai giraffe, Grant’s zebra, and blue wildebeest. A host of large and small birds occur too.