Amboseli & Chyulu National Park

Amboseli is considered to be Kenya’s most scenic National Park with its backdrop of snow-covered Kilimanjaro. The park is located 260 km to the south from Nairobi. At first glance, the park seems very dry and it is surprising that the landscape could be a wildlife haven. The name Amboseli comes from the Masaai word ’empusei’ which means salty place. In fact, the area teams with wildlife due to the several springs which are fed by snowmelt from the glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro.

A region of lush oases

A region of lush oases has evolved around the springs, attracting wildebeest, hippo, impala, buffalo, zebra, leopard, lion, cheetah and wild dog. If anything, Amboseli National Park is best known for its enormous (and growing) population of big tusker elephants and is considered one of the best places to photograph elephant in the wild. Bird-wise, the area is reported to hold over 600 species, including two types of falcon and a variety of kingfisher.

Nearby Chyulu National Park, while less known, and quite different, is an equally beautiful spot. Consisting mainly of volcanic cones, and containing the world’s largest lava tube, it relies wholly on the rains for water. It is home to buffalo, eland, bushbuck, elephant, leopard, wildebeest and zebra.