Amboseli sits in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, and on a clear morning the mountain fills the whole horizon behind the herds on the plain. The park is small compared to the Mara or Serengeti, but its swamps stay green through the dry season, drawing wildlife in close and making it one of the most consistent places in Africa to photograph elephants against open sky.
Wildlife
- •Large elephant herds, including some of the last bulls in Africa with tusks reaching the ground
- •Buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest concentrated around the swamps in the dry months
- •Lion and spotted hyena, more visible here than in denser bush country
- •Over 400 recorded bird species, including pelicans and flamingos on the seasonal lakes
Best Time to Visit
June to October
The dry season. Water in the surrounding plains disappears and animals gather at the permanent swamps, with Kilimanjaro usually clear of cloud in the early morning.
January to February
A second dry window with warm days and good visibility, before the long rains arrive in March.
March to May
The long rains. The park turns green and mountain views get patchy, but it's the quietest and cheapest time to visit.
