Amboseli

The Amboseli National Park is justly famous for it's big Game - Elephants, Lions and Cheetahs are the main attractions - and for it's great scenic beauty. The 3,810 sq Km (1,259 sq Miles) of this park and game reserve embody five main wildlife habitats, plus a generally dry lake bed, Lake Amboseli, from which it takes its name. These are open plains; extensive stands of yellow Barked Acacia woodland; rocky, lava strewn thornbush country; swamps and marshes; and at the Western end of the reserve, above Namanga, the Massif of Oldoinyo Orok rising to over 2,760 m (8,300 ft) and still for the most part zoologically unexplored. The area is dominated by the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest Mountain which frames the wild region below with its nomadic tribes rear their cattle as they have done for centuries. The main game viewing area lies in the Eastern half of the park, in the vicinity of Ol Tukai, here a network of roads opens up a wild life paradise. Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Masai Giraffe and Buffalo may all be encountered during a single mornings drive. White Bearded Gnu, common Zebra, Eland, Coke's Hartebeest, Common Waterbuck, Impala and Thompsons and Grant's Gazelles can also be found. In the dry bush country towards Namanga and in the arid area en route to Emali two especially interesting antelopes are to be found; the long necked Gerenuk and the Fringe Eared Oryx. Smaller Mammals always in evidence include Black Faced Vervet Monkey and Yellow Baboon, Black Backed Jackals, Spotted Hyena and Bat Eared Foxes. Bird Life is equally abundant, especially in the vicinity of the lakes and swamps. The Madagascar Squacco Heron turns up at regular intervals and the Long Toed Lapwing is a resident in small numbers. Three species of Sand Grouse, Yellow throated-Chestnut Bellied-and Black Faced, water in hundreds during the dry season. Birds of prey are well represented with no less that 47 different kinds, rarities such as the Taita Falcon and Southern Banded Harrier Eagle.
Around the Lodges you may see flocks of Yellow Weaver Birds, however the bird which will quickly draw your attention because of its brilliant plumage and fearless behaviour is the Superb starling, which pecks crumbs from your plate as you eat.