Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is a national park in Kajiado County, Kenya, covering around 390 square kilometers of grassland, wetlands and open plains. Mount Kilimanjaro forms the backdrop to the south, its summit rising above the landscape.

The area was designated a game reserve in 1906 and initially served to control hunting. It became a national park in 1974 to protect habitat for elephants and other animals.

The name comes from the Maa word for dust or salty ground, reflecting the dry plains and alkaline soils. Visitors often see Maasai herders in traditional red clothing grazing their cattle along the edge of the reserve.

The park lies around 240 kilometers southeast of Nairobi and is accessible via unpaved roads that become more challenging during rainy periods. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best conditions for animal watching.

Five marsh areas are fed by underground springs from Kilimanjaro and provide water throughout the year. These wet zones attract large elephant herds even when the surrounding grassland is parched.

Location: Kajiado County

Inception: 1974

Operator: Kenya Wildlife Service

Email: kws@kws.go.ke

Website: https://kws.go.ke/amboseli-national-park

GPS coordinates: -2.65000,37.25000

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23