 | Amboseli National Park Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 39 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (39) Tired of all the animals? You can visit a Masai village for some culture.....
The village is located in the Amboseli Park. We were welcomed by Richard, who was in charge, he also collected the entrance fee of 1000 Shilling (about 15 US$).
Then there was a welcomesong and dance by the entire village. Richard told us all about the cattle, the village and their lives. We were allowed to see the inside of one house. Only 6 of us at one time, because it is very small.
Then we were brought to the back of the compound to see some souvenirs (and they would like us to buy it for ridiculous high prices)
The last stop was the small schoolbuilding. Richard here told us the school was not finished yet, and he could use our money........
It was a bit of a commercial experience, we felt like we were a bag of money they wanted to open. The story about the Masai not wanting to obey to the government, and therefor not getting any money to built their school, was not very convincing. (They don't pay taxes to that government either, so the entrancefee is all for them)
But it was nice to see something else and it was certainly a great oppertunity to take pictures of the Masai people. Our pictures can be found in the travelogue at our Rift Valley Province page. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
The ELEPHANTS, really just like people!
The good things! The babies, as you may or may not know. As you can see here. They are the same as our babies! The MOMS protect
will protect to the death if need be! The whole
group will! Leave a Comment Address: AMBOSELI RESERVE, KENYA
|
After the lions killed and have eaten the bulk, the scavengers come in. Hyenas first, jackal and vultures trying to steel something.
We witnessed this feast for a while, the hyena chased the other animals away while it was eating. The jackal stole some small bits. When the hyena stopped eating, because it was full, the vultures started. And more vultures arrived from everywhere. The vultures chased the jackal away. The marabu, tough looking big and strong had to wait untill virtually nothing was left...
More pictures of this meal in the travelogue. Leave a Comment
|
Observation Hill is locally known as Noomotio. This means hollow point that can hold water. When you climb to the top of this hill, you will understand why.
The hill is made out of vulcanic material, that was places here by an eruption of the Kilimanjaro long long ago. Leave a Comment
|
The views of Amboseli & Mt Kilimanjaro look awesome from the ground, what more if they're from up there? I decided to take a hot air balloon ride with my friend on my 2nd day in the park. I'm sure glad I did because despite the high price for an hour flight + champagne breakfast, the experience was priceless.
We left the lodge around 5.30am and drove to the balloon site to find that they were ready for take-off in a few min. I was so excited about the flight that I wasn't bothered when we ascended because I have a fear of heights. From up there, the view of Amboseli & Mt Kilimajaro is amazing. The sunrise from the clouds was quite breathtaking.
The balloon drifted with the wind for about an hour before we slowly descended close to where the ground crew set up a bush breakfast complete with champagne. The landing was surprisingly smooth, thanks to the experienced pilot
There is only one hot air balloon operator in Amboseli National Park (at the time I was there) so where we were up in the air, we didn't see any other balloons to obstruct our clear views of the plains.
|
| | |
Amboseli is famous for its huge number of elephants. The African elephant is the largest living land animal and weighs up to 5,400 kg. Besides its greater size, it differs from the Asian elephant in having larger ears and tusks, a sloping forehead, and two “fingers” at the tip of its trunk, compared to only one in the Asian elephants trunk.
Elephants are vegetarians and consume more than 225 kg plants a day, to achieve that amount they are eating for about 18 hours a day. Elephants live inherds of females and yongsters. The older males are solitairy. Leave a Comment
|
In Amboseli we encountered quite a few lions. A male lion is 1.2m tall at the shoulders and weighs up to 200 kilo. Females are slightly smaller and weigh about 130 kg. Lions prey mainly on large animals such as zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and even giraffe. The lionesses of the pride hunt as a team.
In the picture you see a liones that has killed and eaten recently, the bloodstains are still visible on her legs and head. Leave a Comment
|
A huge swamp which covers a large part of Amboseli National Park is fed by underground rivers from Mt Kilimanjaro's melting snow. Even when there's a drought, the swamp is constantly wet which is why this area is always teeming with life. Elephants & hippopotamus enjoy soaking in the cool water and are never short of food. You can also find other animals wading through the swamp e.g buffaloes, zebras & wildebeest
A great place to view the swamp is from the top of Observation Hill. Address: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
|
A trip to the Maasai Village is an option in your safari package, and it's for those who would like to have a feel of the Maasai life. Before you enter the village, you will have to pay a "contribution" of around US$30 each.
The resident of the Maasai village will then welcome the guests with their traditional dance where they will invite them to participate. You will get a briefing of the village and the people, and demonstrate some fire making technique.
You will also get a tour of the village, complete with a visit into one of the huts made of dung & straw. In inside of the hut was very dark and a small hole in the wall allows minimal light in. After the village tour, you will be led into the village market where you will be approached by the Maasai to buy their local craft. Address: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
|
Amboseli National Park is predominantly flat except for several rocky outcrops and a small hill where you can get fabulous views of the national park and Mt Kilimanjaro. Observation Hill is great as a lookout as well as a place to take pictures.
You can see for miles and it's quite breezy. The big swamp, where all sorts of animals congregate, is right at the foot of the hill. There's a path leading up the hill and it shouldn't be too challenging. There's also a small house on top but no one to sell food or drinks, so bring your own water Address: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
|
More Amboseli National Park Tips |
 |
 |
Search Hotels
Find the best room rates |
|
 |
|
on November 14, 2004
on February 22, 2003
on August 29, 2007
