Guide to an Amboseli Safari

Amboseli is truly a beautiful park. Regarded as Kenya's most photogenic park graced by the views of Africa's highest montain, the source of most streams that replenish the park, Amboseli is well endowed with over 900 mammoth African elephants.
The national park is caracterised by a gradient of vegetation :5 different habitats (open plains, yellow-barked acacia forests, thorn-bushlands, swamps and marshlands).from bare and dry main lake in the north-western part to Acacia woodland (Acacia xanthophloea and Acacia tortillis) in the south-eastern part.
Underground water from the Kilimanjaro upwells big swamps and marshes, rich in cyprus and cyprus papyrus, which provide water and forage for wildlife during dry seasons. The main vegetation of the plain is elephant grass, high tuff of whitish-yellow grass sometimes as high as elephants.
Trees are absent in the plain as they suffer from the growing salinity of the soil and dry-up. Once dried, most of them are destroyed by elephants. Some preserved tree-areas have been fenced to protect the few woodlands remaining. Trees are mainly palmtrees and acacia trees. The greenest part of the park in the southern and south-western section (near the Iimbireshari hill) as the area is hilly and the vegetation is composed of scattered green bushes and dry grasses.

Amboseli Attractions :

o Splendid views of the mount Kilimanjaro & mount Meru.
o Visit the Maasa people and their Cultural conservation (projects, Kiminani).
o Large herds of elephants, black rhinoceros and birds viewing (up to 428 bird species).
o Springs, swamps and wells soaked all the year round.
o Visit Observation Hill, which overlooks the park, swamps and, of course, the herds of free-roaming elephants.

Public Camp Sites & Budget Guest House Accommodation in Amboseli

 There are two campsites in Amboseli National Park, namely: Olgulului Public Campsite and Nairushari Campsite :  They advantageously located in a non-dusty area south of the park in a marvelous backdrop of green bushes, dry grasses and the shadows of Nairushari and Iimbireshari hills, last slopes/hills of the Kilimanjaro (few kilometers south the Observatory Hill). One is a public campsite managed by K.W.S. and the other one is managed by the Maasai community.
Nairushari is a special (premium) campsite for high-end campers while the Group Ranch public campsite is basic and sometimes suffers shortage of essentials like adequate water. You can expect that the difference would be the crowding on the low budget camp and provision of key necessities. Bush House & CAmp recommends and indeed arranges Amboseli camping at Nairushari.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (K.W.S) runs bandas, guest houses and special campsites in order to provide medium budget accommodation in choice areas to allow an Africa bush holiday experience close to the wild away from the beaten track.  A typical guest house comprises one self-catering guest house with three bedrooms (one with a double bed and the others with 2 single beds. Bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils and gas cooker are provided. We provide a cook to take care of all meals and equally pay for his accommodation. Maximum capacity is 6 persons.

Budget Tented Camps are also available. Instead of open field camping in our tents, you and us may opt to use a tented camp like Kimana Amboseli Camp with ensuite tents, hot showers and flush toilets. Mid range camps like Kibo Safari Camp have a touch of luxury and a swimming pool. So is the Sentrim Amboseli Tented Camp.

Amboseli Lodges / Hotels

Amboseli Serena Lodge
Within the park. Lies in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro
Ol Tukai Lodge
Within the park. Lies at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro and is probably the best wildlife arenas to view elephants at close range.
Tortillis Camp
Within the park. Tortillis Camp lies on the edge of Amboseli National Park on a beautiful hillside setting.
New Amboseli Lodge :  
Within the park. New Amboseli Lodge offers a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro and set amongst lush tropical gardens and a veritable oasis.
Amboseli Sopa Lodge :
Outside park. Located near Kimana Gate (25 min from main park gate), Sopa Lodge provides a reserve for the Maisha trust - organisation for conservation and sustainable management of environment and wildlife.

3 Days 2 Nights Amboseli Budget Camping Safari

Day 1: Amboseli
Pick up from the Hotel at 8.00 a.m. drive from Nairobi to Amboseli via Kimana Gate. Arrive at the Park in time for Lunch, in the afternoon explore the park searching for the wild animals, later drive back to the campsite for Dinner and Overnight.

Day 2: Amboseli
Whole day spent in the park viewing game in this second most popular park in Kenya. Here you have a good opportunity to see all the 'Big Five' and a variety of other game with the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest in Africa - in the background and also visiting the Maasai village to catch a glimpse of their way of life. Dinner and overnight camping.

Day 3: Nairobi
An early morning game drive,back in the camp for breakfast, afterwards breaking the camp and returning to Nairobi arriving there in the afternoon, Transfer to the Hotel or to the Airport to board the flight back home.
End of Service

ACCOMMODATION
Choice of open camping in two or three man tents, Bandas accommodation in KWS guest house facilities, Semi-Tented Standard Camp.

Day 1; Amboseli
Depart Nairobi in the morning and travel to the Amboseli National reserve at the foot of snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. Arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive is taken. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sentrim Lodge/ Similar.

Day 2; Amboseli
A full day in this photogenic park, viewing large Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and other wildlife. Morning and afternoon game drives. Meals and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3; Nairobi
Pre-breakfast game drive, depart for Nairobi arriving in the afternoon.

PRICE / RATE  

Price: Please request for private safari rates or joining a scheduled departure

5 Days Nairobi-Amboseli-Tsavo Safari

Day 1- Depart for a scenic drive to Amboseli National Park, set the the foot of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park has a prolific population of elephants. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. Lunch and afternoon gamedrive follows. Dinner and overnight at Sentrim Amboseli Camp.

Day 2 - Full day at Amboseli National Park. Depart for an early morning gamedrive. Relax by the pool after having a leisurely breakfast. Rest of the morning at leisure. Lunch and afternoon gamedrive follows. Dinner and overnight at Sentrim Amboseli Camp.

Day 3 - Depart for the massive Tsavo East National Park after early morning gamedrive and breakfast. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Have an afternoon at your disposal to relax and freshen up. An evening game drive will follow. Dinner and overnight at the Sentrim Camp Tsavo.

Day 4 -Full day at Tsavo East National park  with two game drives at your disposal. You shall depart your lodge/ Camp and visit the Mzima springs where you may view the crocodiles and hippos swimming under water with a choice of picnic or buffet lunch. You will aslo be driven to the “shetani” lava flows and have a view of Chyulu Hills too. Dinner and overnight at the Sentrim Camp Tsavo.

Day 5 -After breakfast, you will have an enroute game drive as you head back to Nairobi. Drop off at the airport or your hotel.

Price: Please request for private safari rates. Joining safari not applicable