So there are these myths that people in Africa live and roam the streets with animals such as lions, monkeys, elephants, and anything else you may find in a zoo—but most of us know that this isn’t true.
Some may blame the media and television for this bizarre assumption: After all, popular media portrays Africa as a continent full of roaming animals, which gives foreigners the impression that the continent has nothing else to offer.
Amusingly, there are countries in Africa where lions, elephants, giraffes and other ‘exotic’ wild animals cannot be found. However, the countries that do have these beauties keep them in national parks. Kenya is one of them.
Kenya’s Amboseli National Park is 160 miles from Nairobi, and on the border of neighboring country, Tanzania. It is also located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, which adds a magnificent backdrop to its scenery.
As one of the most-visited safari parks in Kenya, The Amboseli, is home to African elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs and other wild animals. There is also a great diversity of small and large birds in the park.
At the moment, people of the Maasai tribe—one of the world’s most well known tribes—populate the Amboseli National Park. Not only will you be able to enjoy the wildlife sightings, but you also will be able to meet this distinctive, semi-nomadic tribe up close. Now, that’s a treat!
The park has an interesting landscape: a mixed topography of plains, acacia woodlands, rocky thorn bush, swamps, and marshes. This landscape is one of the reasons for the park’s diversity in wildlife and large concentration of animals, because it provides the perfect habitat for varying species of wildlife.
Like any place you visit, Amboseli has rules and regulations. Before entering, a warden meets visitors at the arrival gate to explain some of the typical rules for maximum safety. Visitors are warned:
- Not get out of the vehicle except at designated spots
- Not harass the animals in any way
- To keep to the tracks
- Not to perpetuate off-road driving
- And to remember that the animals always have the right of way.
The warden also makes sure that everyone has plenty of water and if not, ensures that some water is purchased before the safari begins. It is very important to pack lots of water as the temperature varies, but is usually very hot and dry. It is also important to wear cool, comfortable clothes and to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sun block as protection from the sun’s harsh rays. Bringing binoculars is always a good idea, so that no animal is ever too far to see. Finally, bringing a camera is just about essential. Why wouldn’t you want to take pictures on a safari?
The best times to visit the Amboseli park are in January and February, as well as from June through September, during the drier months. Take steps to avoid visiting in April and May, the rainy months. Also, try to get to the park earlier or later in the day, as the animals tend to sleep through the hot mid-day sun.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to book your flight to Kenya and take an Amboseli National Park safari tour. Be sure to send us some pictures!
Photos: Art.com, Kwlwallpapers.com & Ultimateafricatravel.com
