Flying Safari to Amboseli, Masai Mara

Amboseli National Park is situated near the border of Kenya and Tanzania in the south east region of Kenya about 250 kms from Nairobi. Magnificent views of snow-capped Kilimanjaro greet visitors from anywhere in the park. The best time to see it, however, is early morning or just around sunset as it’s more than likely it will be cloaked in clouds during the day. Africa’s highest mountain erupted millions of years ago spewing volcanic rock across the plains. The park takes it’s name from the Masai word meaning “salty dust”. Year round springs which filter down from the snows and glaciers of the mountain provide an excellent source of water for the numerous species of wildlife in the park as well as habitat for water fowl. The largest elephants in Africa live here and on some mornings over 600 have been counted in the swamps where the bird life is also colourful and prolific. There are resident zebra and wildebeest as well as Thompson’s gazelle, warthog, giraffe, vervet monkeys, baboon and black-backed jackal. It's possible to arrange a visit to a nearby manyatta or Maasai village and see how these fascinating and proud people conduct their daily lives.

The Mara, as it’s popularly referred to, is Kenya’s most frequented wildlife viewing area. Situated about 180 kms from Nairobi the name means “Spotted Plain” in the language of the Maasai, the colourful and interesting tribe which inhabits the surrounding areas. The Maasai have been living in harmony with nature and wildlife for centuries and it is mostly due to their beliefs and traditions that the area is still rich in wildlife. Whilst staying in the Maasai Mara, it’s possible to visit an authentic manyatta or village for insights into the culture and lifestyle of the Maasai. During the seasonal migrations, the Mara is home to up to half a million wildebeest and an equally impressive number of zebra who move into the area from neighbouring Tanzania. These large numbers of animals give rise to a proportionate number of predators, especially the big cats. Lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena roam the vast grassy plains on the lookout for their next meal. It may be an unsuspecting impala or gazelle or even something small like a warthog or African hare. Whatever the players, the spectacle of nature unfolding is always awesome. Here it’s also possible to observe; elephant, giraffe, baboon, African buffalo, eland, ostrich, bat-eared fox, jackal and sometimes the rare rhino. The rivers abound with hippos and crocodiles.