Meet the elephants in Amboseli National Park

The 392.06km2 Amboseli National Park lies in southern Kenya. Nestling at the foot of Kilimanjaro, what could be more symbolic than your first safari experience in this maze of wild dust? Although relatively small, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve in 1980. This makes the park an absolute must for nature and wildlife lovers travelling to Kenya.

Amboseli, the Masai word for "salt dust", owes its name to the immense dry lake that lies at the centre of the park. The park has the specific characteristic of being dry in places and having an oasis of marshy greenery further afield. This great diversity helps to maintain an ecosystem that is conducive to animal well-being. The region was also once home to the Masai, who had to leave the park when it was declared a national park. They now live on the outskirts of the park.

Going on safari is an opportunity to connect with your inner adventurer. Amboseli is the ideal place to discover your thirst for travel and discovery, thanks to its proximity to Nairobi and Kenya's crystal-clear coast at Mombassa. Set against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro, one of the world's most famous mountains, come and explore these arid expanses dotted with majestic animals.

Located around 240 kilometres south-east of Nairobi, the reserve is less than 4 hours from the capital, making it a popular destination for wildlife tourists. You can also reach Amboseli by air. The park has 4 entrance gates. Two to the south and two to the north. The Namanga gate is the busiest, thanks to its proximity to Nairobi. The Kimana gate is the most convenient if you are coming from Mombasa.

Entrance fees

• 60 per adult
• 35 per child (up to the age of 18)

You can use a travel agency to organise your safari, or hire a private guide (remember that in this case you will have to pay the guide's fees as well as the cost of the car). But you can also go on safari on your own by hiring a car. In this case, you will be charged 300 shillings (2.30 euros) for entry to the park for the car, which can accommodate up to 6 passengers.

• The park is open every day from 6am to 7pm.
• The park closes at 6.15pm.

Please ensure that you comply strictly with the park's safety rules. In particular, it is strictly forbidden to get out of your car in areas not designated for walking. Big cats and other dangers may be lying in wait. The park prohibits entry to visitors on foot.

Amboseli is one of Kenya's most popular parks, thanks to the sheer density of wildlife. But also because of its absolutely unique landscapes, which are often sparsely populated, making it much easier to observe the wildlife. The park is also famous for its elephants, of which there are no fewer than 1,500, and which have very large tusks. The park's biodiversity makes for an impressive range of species. In the marshes, you can observe buffalo and hippopotamus in search of fresh air.

However, the only fly in the ointment is that the park no longer referees the famous big five. Lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant no longer share the land of Amboseli. The rhinoceros, which has long suffered from intense poaching, is only seen very occasionally on its journeys between Kenya and Tanzania. The big cats, lions and leopards, are also permanent residents of the park, but on the whole remain very discreet.

It's no myth that large carnivores such as cheetahs and wild dogs are more discreet in this part of Kenya, and you'll need patience and luck to hope to catch a glimpse of one. However, you'll have better luck if you set your sights on the jackal or the spotted hyena.

You drive through the dry plains of the reserve in search of the great kings of the park. Elephants reign supreme here, and can be seen in huge numbers. These great mammals of Amboseli are considered to be the largest elephants in the country. In the distance, you can observe them enjoying the swamps they share with the hippos enjoying a little refreshment in the hot, heavy hours of the African savannah. Like its distant rhinoceros cousin, it was poached for its ivory for a long time. Kenya and Tanzania saw their elephant populations plummet.

But Amboseli was one of the few parks not to be so ravaged by this scourge. This is partly due to the work of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, a charitable organisation whose aim is to safeguard and better understand the social behaviour and population dynamics of elephants over the long term. The presence of few poachers and conservation efforts mean that the park's elephants have very long tusks, making the encounter experience all the more impressive. Some elephants can have tusks weighing up to 45 kilos each! Some say that Amboseli is undoubtedly the best place to see herds of elephants in East Africa.

While admiring the elephants, you'll almost forget to observe the park's other animals, which are just as spectacular. You'll also see Masai giraffes, also known as Kilimanjaro giraffes, which are fond of eating acacia leaves. These giraffes, which are in danger of extinction, are distinguished by their coat of brown spots blending into a cream colour. Masai giraffes are also unique in that they have no spots beyond their knees, revealing immaculate legs.