The large herd can most often be found grazing in the permanent swamps. On the plains, there are still large herds of buffalo and plains game such as gazelle and zebra and wildebeest. Families of warthog trot off through the all-pervasive dust while hyena and jackal vie with the flocks of vultures over the carcasses left by the occasional lion or cheetah.
The birdlife in this area is magnificent. During the wet season water birds may be found within the swamps and after the rains it is a common sight to see large flocks of flamingo wading in the pools of water below the mountain.
Amboseli can be visited throughout the year, but the most rewarding wildlife watching is in the Dry season, from June to October, when animals gather around the marshes and other predictable water sources. When dry, animals crossing the sandy plains tend to kick up a lot of dust, offering some great photo opportunities when the light is low.
Amboseli
The 392 sq km Amboseli National Park lays South of Nairobi within the clear sight of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5896 m. The waters of the mountain feed the seasonal swamps and marshes on which the game and birds living in the park rely.
Amboseli is often called the ‘Land of Giants’ – due to the impressive elephants here carrying massive tusks. The animals are set against breathtaking vistas of Mt Kilimanjaro, which makes an awesome backdrop to the small park. It is here that photographers will hope to shoot the classic picture of the elephant or giraffe standing against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped mountain.
Explore Amboseli