The name Amboseli comes from the word “empusel,” which in the language of the local Maasai tribe means “salty dust.” Amboseli is indeed dusty, mostly because of its proximity to Mt. Kilimanjaro, a 19,340-foot-high snowy volcanic peak that lies just 25 miles away.
Amboseli is nevertheless quite lush in places, because the melting snows of Kilimanjaro flow underground into the park, continually feeding water to springs, swamps, and marshes. Because of this easy availability of water, Amboseli has always been a favourite spot for wildlife. In addition to the 900 or so elephants that live there, zebra, wildebeests, giraffes, impala, leopards, lions, hippos, antelope, rhinos, wild dogs, hyenas, cheetah, buffalo, and more than 400 species of birds all gather in the haven of the park.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro
Situated on the edge of Amboseli National Game Reserve, on the southern border of Kenya, renowned for having the best views of the mountain
Lying at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro among yellow barked acacia trees and cream slate