Amboseli - a land of giants

Amboseli is a land of giants. This is a place of wide dry plains, where the horizons stretch into the furthest distance and become one with the sky.

Amboseli is renowned for its elephant populations and large herds, including some impressively tusked bulls are drawn to a series of large, lush swamplands. But the most impressive giant of all is Mt Kilimanjaro.

Africa’s largest mountain lies just over the border in Tanzania, but the most impressive views of its snow-capped peak are to be found in Amboseli. The early light of dawn turns the mountain a dark hue of purple, and its snows into an ethereal pink.

The sight of Kilimanjaro high above herds of elephant crossing the plains of Amboseli is a timeless African image.

This area is home to many Maasai communities, centred around the Amboseli National Park. The park is 400 sq kms, with its southern boundary along the Tanzanian border.

The park is home to more than just Elephants, and herds of wildebeest, zebra and impala graze on the open plains.. There are areas of acacia forest that make for good birding, and are home to many small mammals. Cheetah are also often sighted here.

The park is centred around a large hill, with fantastic views of the surrounding plains, often crossed by whirlwinds that send winding columns of dust into the sky. This open country is good walking territory, and many camps and lodges organise game walks, or trips to spend time in local Maasai villages.

Kimana Community Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kimana community wildlife sanctuary has set a precedent for being the first community owned and managed wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. The sanctuary lies in the game migration corridor linking the Amboseli and the Tsavo. This makes it one of the best view points since if you visit during migration periods you can have one of the best chance to see the red elephants of Amboseli among other animals.

A range of habitats is found within the Kimana conservancy such as swamp, savannah plains and woodland. This range of habitat provides for diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, hippos and many antelopes.

While at the conservancy several activities can be done including: going for nature walks, bird viewing since the area is one of the highly populated areas with birds, you can also go for picnic at the sanctuary accompanied by Kenya wildlife service’s game rangers among other activities.

The cost of entrance into the Kimana community wildlife sanctuary is Two dollars including the vehicles and all its passengers. The money is used to run the conservancy and help educate the nearby community on the importance of conserving nature at its best form. 

Accommodation can be at the nearby Serena lodge in the Amboseli game reserve or at kibo safari camp.

ETT- Kenya Safaris Desk

Etton Travel and Tours