"In the Shadows of Mt Kilimanjaro" Top 5 Page for this destination Amboseli National Park by BorneoGrrl

Amboseli National Park Travel Guide: 119 reviews and 364 photos

Mt Kilimajaro above the clouds - Amboseli National Park

Giant dust bowl teeming with life

You can imagine my excitement to finally be able to personally see the mighty Mt Kilimajaro in all its glory. Coming to Amboseli National Park has made it all possible and I was more than thrilled. Amboseli National Park is located north west of Mt Kilimanjaro and borders with Tanzania. For your information, the mountain sits in Tanzania, not in Kenya.

Compared to the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park is much drier & dustier but you cannot imagine the number of wildlife in this game reserve. You're spoilt for choice because everywhere you turn, there are animals, animals, animals. However, the illusive creatures like the lion, cheetah & leopards are not so eager to reveal themselves.

When you cross Lake Amboseli during the drier season, it is reminiscent of driving over a desert plain because the lake is so huge & there's not a drop of water but when it rains, it floods and fills up the temporary lake.

Balloon ride over Amboseli

Getting ready to take-off

My first balloon ride ever! It was so worth it to get up in the wee hours of the morning to take flight over the Amboseli plains and watch the morning sun pour over the peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro. Unforgettable!

Zebra Crossing

Cute zebra

Traffic is a little different in Amboseli National Park. I saw this cute zebra crossing the road without so much as a care to all the vehicles that criss-cross the game park looking out for the big 5. Check out my Spotted Zebra in my Things To Do!

Follow the rules and stop the vehicle at a zebra crossing :-)

Pros and Cons

Pros:Scenic and full of life
Cons:Some roads are in bad conditions & is very dusty
In a nutshell:Amazed at Amboseli and Mt Kilimajaro

Intro Updated Sep 2, 2007
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Reviews (24)

Don't photograph the Maasai .... yet Warnings and Dangers (2)

We were told not to simply photograph the Maasai people while we were in Kenya. This had something to do with their... more travel advice

Noelle prefers a drink at the rest stops - Amboseli National Park

Souvenir Shops ~ not again! Tourist Traps (1)

Having been on safari several times, I find that the time is wasted going to some of these souvenir shops that sell... more travel advice

The shop with lovely muriels on the walls - Amboseli National Park

Goodies from the lodge Shopping (1)

The shop at Amboseli Serena Lodge has a good selection of souvenirs and some essential items. The prices are... more travel advice

Desert or Lake?? - Amboseli National Park

The barren plains of Lake Amboseli Off The Beaten Path (1)

When heading back to Nairobi from Amboseli National Park, we drove on what looks like a desert plain. This is Lake... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
Get set for safari
Nightlife (4)
See All Songs around the fire

Things to Do (11)
See All Watch the sunset
Hotels (3)
See All The pool is freezing!

Comments (5)

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Jim_Eliason Sep 8, 2007 at 6:15 AM

great adventure!
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globetrott Sep 2, 2007 at 10:59 PM

wow, what a great destination, Valerie ! Ballooning & Mt Kilimanjaro is certainly a great adventure and many great opportunities to take pics of the wildlife !
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Bwana_Brown Sep 2, 2007 at 12:15 AM

A very enjoyable page with excellent photos and great tips! It brought back some wonderful memories of Amboseli for me. Maybe that 'spotted' zebra is just sporting the latest fashion craze in Kenyan wildlife ;))
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high_d Sep 1, 2007 at 1:09 PM

I always love your African pages...it so reminds of my time there:) That pool looks so inviting even with the Arctic temps...and, um...is that Maasai dude, the lifeguard for that other dude in the pool ;p heh heh.
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victorwkf Aug 30, 2007 at 6:55 AM

Great photos of Mt Kilimanjaro, must be a really great experience for you! I always wanted to go climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, but somehow this did not happen till now