Amboseli
In the shadow of Africa’s tallest mountain, roam Africa’s largest animals. Witness Elephants as never before in this unique landscape. Famous for its Big Tuskers, Amboseli is a near-mythical place where it truly feels as if you are stepping back in time to how African elephants are supposed to be seen. Undisturbed. Gentle. Awe-inspiring. Feel the herd and understand its dynamics like nowhere else on Earth.
What to expect…
The main draw card of the park is of course the elephants. Amboseli is home to the longest elephant study on Earth, with over 60 matriarchal families known and named, their make-up, habits, migration and behavioural traits all studied and documented. The backdrop to this incredible insight is of course Mt Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, and Africa’s tallest mountain at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). It’s a captivating sight, often snow capped especially after the long rains in East Africa, and towers above the plains on either side.
A big photographic bonus is the Amboseli Lake bed, an often dry lake, complete with elephant pathways that are crossed daily by the families on their trek from the mountains to the lake where they feed on softer water plants, and drink and frolic and meet up with others. Zebra, wildebeest and giraffe also cross this lakebed, as do dust devils - swirling mini tornados that pick up in the wind and spiral towards the sky and give Amboseli its name.
The Amboseli eco-system is also home to some of the last super tuskers. These are large male elephants who, through good genetics and long lives, have grown tusks weighing in at over 100 pounds each. There are not many of these creatures left, and so seeing them should be high on your wish list! To watch an elephant gently feeding with tusks over 2 meters long is quite something. To watch an elephant rest on its own tusk in the sand and take a nap standing up - well I am sure you can imagine!
When to Visit
The key for photography in Amboseli and the absolute main drawcard is the dry lake bed with the elephants crossing this in search of food in the swamps. For this you need to aim for the driest months from August through October before the short rains which tend to arrive in November and freshen up the grasslands.
After the short rains, there does tend to be more snow on top of Mt Kilimanjaro and the lake bed is not normally full so for those looking to get snow and elephants in one frame, December through March is best before the main rains arrive in April and May freshening up the grasslands again and re-filling the lake bed.
JAN
Excellent
FEB
Excellent
MAR
Very good
APRIL
Mixed
MAY
Mixed
JUN
Good
JUL
Mixed
AUG
Good
SEPT
Excellent
OCT
Excellent
NOV
Good
DEC
Very good
