Amboseli National Park

An amazing experience with elephants up close

I came to Amboseli for two reasons, the first was that it was known for its elephants and the second, the view of Kilimanjaro. I was not disappointed in either. The sight of elephants frolicking in the knee-deep (elephant knees that is) swampy water was amazing. Groups of females with calves from one month up playing were a joy. And at sunset, as they headed back out into the dusty bush was beautiful. Other game was also abundant (zebras, wildebeasts, warthogs, hyenas, gazelle, impalla, etc.). There were giraffes in the distance, but never up close. Also at dusk, we saw a group of female lions at in the morning, a male finishing a zebra meal.

The view of Kilimanjaro was spectacular. Seeing herds of zebra and wildebeasts (and a large flock of ostrich) on the plain with Kilimanjaro was an iconic sight.

Amboseli reminds one of the stark dusty plains from 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. The park is incredibly dusty and you can see huge dust storms in the distance when driving around. But the wildlife on offer is spectacular and we saw all of the big five except for leopards.

There is something primal and timeless about the place, the way the huge herbivores amble around in the shadows of mighty Mt Kilimanjaro. One can't help shake the feeling that this scene has been playing out for millions of years.

Elephants, elephants, elephants...

Amboseli National Park was amazing for wildlife, and my accommodations were perfect.

My group was able to see a lot of wildlife, including elephants and cheetahs. We stayed at Tortilis Camp. The accommodations were really nice, with great service and really good food. I highly recommend a visit to Amboseli and a stay at Tortilis.

Kilimanjaro as backdrop, elephants, and that you can stay at lodges within the park boundary.

Watching Elephants roam across the plain with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop

We stayed at Sentrim Lodge just outside the gate to Amboseli. We done an evening tour on our first evening and a full day in the park the following day. The park may not be the biggest but it certainly has a lot going for it. We saw Herds of Elephant roaming, Hyenas in a den, Lion, Baboons with young, Ostrich, Hippos, Giraffe, Wilderbeast and many other animals roaming free. A must is a picnic on Observation hill where you can watch over a lot of the park. All of this with of Course Kilimanjaro as a backdrop that unveils itself for the evening sunset.

Amboseli, Kenya. Mind.Blown.

Absolutely outstanding park, and our Masai guide Tiampati Manei was so incredibly knowledgeable and conscientious- our safari company Wild-Eye.co.za with Gerry Van Der Walt were simply amazing in their professionalism, knowledge of park logistics, animal behaviours, etc. The wildlife was abundant, and the animals were safe in their own natural habitat. I will, without question, return.

Wonderful to watch the elephants in such scenic surroundings.

It is one of the most visited park by professionals as you see Elephant's enjoying in swamps close by is mount Kilimanjaro which one can easily capture in the background when shooting wide shots.

The peace and tranquility of watching the elephants wander past

It was our first safari, and we were thrilled with the sight of the elephants and the beautiful scenery. It was a wonderful experience. Our guide with Transtrek Safaris was very knowledgeable and the Lodge they organised for us was first class with lovely and varied food. There was a lot of other wildlife to see as well, and in December we did not find it too hot.