Amboseli National Park is aptly named “The Land of Giants” for a reason – the sight of hundreds of big-tusked elephants set against the imposing backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Thanks in part to this imagery; it has become increasingly popular with visitors to Kenya in recent years. ‘Amboseli’ is an English corruption of the Maa word Empusel, meaning ‘salty dust’.

The park almost seems out of place with the rest of Kenya’s dusty savannah and has an oasis feel to it. The plains are dotted with shallow salt-pan lakes and emerald swamps that are fed by underground streams straight from the melting ice cap on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The diversity of the landscape is reflected in the diversity of the game. Buffaloes, zebras, various types of antelopes, wildebeests and giraffes are frequently sighted together with the sizeable elephant population. Lions are often seen lazily patrolling the grassland in search of an easy meal while the cheetahs do their best to avoid them.

This unique environment is home to an array of bird species such as kingfishers, egrets, pelicans and a host of predatory raptors – all adding to the incredible photographic opportunities within Amboseli. This park is a great choice for first-time safari-goers or first-timers to Kenya. Its compact size allows you to see virtually all aspects of the park over a short period. Its proximity to Nairobi and the ease of access add to its appeal. Short-haul flights between Wilson Airport and the Amboseli airstrip take less than an hour in a light aircraft.