AmboseliNational Park

Amboseli National Park sits in southern Kenya, close to the Tanzanian border, which is why Mount Kilimanjaro rises so dramatically behind the park's elephants. It is a compact park, so much of the classic wildlife viewing can be covered in a relatively short visit.

Amboseli is the place for the iconic photograph: massive elephants with towering tusks framed against the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. The combination of big-tusked elephants and Africa's highest mountain is what draws photographers here above all else.

Amboseli is home to over 1,600 elephants and offers some of the best elephant viewing in Africa. Large herds, including impressive old bulls with heavy tusks, are regularly seen at close range.

Yes. The snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro stands across the border in Tanzania and forms the backdrop to Amboseli's plains, though cloud and haze can hide it at times, so early morning and late afternoon usually give the clearest views.

The drier months generally give the clearest Kilimanjaro views and concentrate wildlife around the park's swamps and water sources, while the wetter months bring greener scenery and more birdlife. Ecological Wilderness Adventure can advise on timing based on your interests and tailor a trip on request.

Alongside its famous elephants, Amboseli supports lions, cheetahs, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, zebras and a rich birdlife typical of Kenya's southern parks. Its open plains and swamps make animals easier to spot than in denser bush destinations.