Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is the former hunting reserve area Kadjiado. The park covers 39, 206 ha area. Located 260 km from the capital Nairobi, at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro - (5895 m) and is the third most visited park in the area of Kenya, after National Reserve Masai Mara and Nakuru National Park.
They call it the "land of giants." The park occupies an area of 400 square kilometers, situated on the border with Tanzania, 20 km. from the foot of the volcano Kilimanjaro – with the Highest mountain peak in Africa - Kibo - 5895 m.
Amboseli National Park is formed from three merged extinct volcanic craters: Kibo (5, 895 m), Mavenzi (5356 meters) and Shira (4, 006 m). The mountain and surrounding area are a nature reserve inhabited by a very big diversity of animal and plant species, due to radically different conditions in different altitude levels of this landmark. It is inhabited by huge herds of elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, panthers, rhinos, gazelles and other large animals.
Since 2005, the park is managed by the Kenyan office for wildlife protection. This is a valuable natural area, mostly because of the population of approximately 650 elephants and over 400 species of birds. There will still be found zebra, Impala and more. There are also endangered black rhinos and cheetahs. Of course, the local population is also not absent. Indigenous tribes here are the "masai".
The best time of the year when you can admire them is July - the height of summer after the rainy season. Since the last eruption of Kilimanjaro 1000 years ago, traces still remain. Volcanic ash put an interesting dusty veil in the region. These bright gray shades contrast with the lush green vegetation that is irrigated by underground streams, descending from melting mountain snow caps.
From Amboseli are found the most beautiful views of Kilimanjaro (if the sky is clear). The mountain seems dyed purple and pink on top, at sun rise. The view to the snowy Kilimanjaro, towering above the vast herds of elephants and other large animals crossing the plane of Amboseli is one of the most memorable sights you might see.
