Game Drive in Amboseli National park

Amboseli National park is the second most popular national park in Kenya after Masai Mara National park. Amboseli National park is situated 160 miles away from Nairobi city.

The park was formerly named Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve. Amboseli national park covers an area of 393 square kilometres.  Game Drive in Amboseli National park is one of the most interesting activities done at the park. Amboseli national park is covered with open plains, wetlands, savannah vegetation as wetlands. All this makes Amboseli national park generally open and flat which makes it easy to see the different kinds of animals. Amboseli national park is a home to a variety of wild animals that include; The Big Five animals (elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, lions,) and other animals like impalas, zebras, hippos, Thomson’s gazelles, spotted hyenas, crocodiles among others. Amboseli National park is a home to over 400 bird species which can be spotted everywhere without any struggle including; greater flamingos, African swamp hen, common redshank, vonder dickens’ horn bills, pagane long claw, spike- heeled heron and many more.  Amboseli National Park offers two sessions of game drive which is the Morning game drive and Afternoon game drive. According to safari experts, the morning game drive is the best session and it is considered to be more productive and gives results since most animals are active in the morning hours and the trails are less dusty. The morning game drive in Amboseli national park starts as early as 6:00am. While on the game drive, not only will you spot the animals but you will also see the magnificent snow-capped mountain Kilimanjaro. When you want to enjoy game drive in Amboseli national park, Observation Hill and Sinet Delta are the best spots. Observation hill is the only high point in Amboseli National park. The hill has a stair case curved out of the volcanic rocks that can give you access to see the observation hill. The foot hill is covered by Enkongo Narok marshes that host elephants and hippos which you will enjoy seeing as you are standing on top of the hill. Still on the hill, you will be able to see Kioko Lake which is in the north- west. Lake Kioko hosts the highest number of hippopotamuses.  You can add a sundowner experience while on your game drive in Amboseli national park. You will be able to enjoy some drinks and snacks while watching the scenic beauty of Kilimanjaro Mountain then you will be able to see the sunset over the savannah.  While at Amboseli National park, a night game drive can be arranged for you within the park and it starts at 6pm – 8pm. However, it is done under strict supervision from the game rangers and experienced tour guide as you follow some park rules and regulations such as; no making noise while in the park for a night game drive. You should stay inside the safari vehicle at all times until the end of the game drive. While on a night game drive, you will be able to see the shy and nocturnal animals including; hyenas, civets, aardvark and many more.

Essentials to pack for a Game Drive in Amboseli National park

As you embark on a game drive in Amboseli national park, you need to have comfortable footwear, you need to have a nice camera to capture every moment, you need to have an insect repellent for yourself since the wilderness tends to have many mosquitoes, you can have a pair of sun glasses to protect you from direct sunshine, you need to carry enough drinking water since it can get hot, you need sun screen for your skin, you need a hat as well, you can also pack snacks since a game drive can take 2 or 3 hours or more hours and other things you might need as a person. 

Best Time to do Game Drive Safari in Amboseli National Park

Game Drive in Amboseli National park is all year round activity. However, safari experts advise that it is better to do game drive in the dry season since the interruptions are few unlike in the wet season that has interruption such as slippery roads. The best months to go for a game drive in Amboseli national park is in June to October and December to February. After the Game Drive, you can decide to do another activity such as;

Walking Safari,

You can go for a walking safari in Amboseli National park. A walking safaris is a guided walk on foot as you explore the nature, wild life on foot. While on a walking safari, you will be able to spot various wild animals since you follow tracking trails and animal footprints. While on the walking safari, you are able to get full information about smaller wildlife as well as gaining an insight into the park’s ecosystems. 

Hot Air Balloon Safari in Amboseli National park

 This activity can be enjoyed when done early in the morning when the sun is rising. While up in the sky, you will have a close view of different bird species and also the wild animals at the same time, you will be able to see the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro at a distance. 

Photography safari in Amboseli National park;

If you love photography or you are specialized in photography, you will have a professional wildlife photographer as your tour guide for that day. He/ she will provide you with expert tips and techniques on how to capture the best shots of the wildlife, nature and also landscape. 

How to get to Amboseli National Park

You can access Amboseli national park by road. You can use Meshananai gate to reach The Park. It is a 2-3hour drive when you have passed through Emali. You can also use Kimana gate. You can use a scheduled flight to Amboseli National park from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.   When you want to have to have a unique safari experience, always prioritize the wellbeing of the wild life and respect the park set rules and regulations. Additionally, you should choose a reputable tour operator and lodge that fully supports conservation efforts and also contributes to the local communities’ well being. You can contact Jewel Safari Uganda to book for you a package at Amboseli National park.