Covering over 300 square kilometers in the south-eastern part of Kenya, Amboseli National Park formerly known as the Masai Amboseli Game Reserve should be top of your list of safari destinations when planning one to Kenya. Game drives in Amboseli National Park are carried out two times a day with the first one starting very in the morning and the second one starting in the late afternoons. Day game drives are part of the Park entrance fees. Night game drives are offered in Amboseli but you have to pay an extra cost and you have to book on time.
A game drive refers to an adventure that involves driving around the different National Parks in the comfort of your 4×4 open roof while viewing animals. Game drives are the highlight of every safari in Africa and the same applies to Amboseli National Park. Located in the south-Eastern part of Kenya, Amboseli attracts a wide range of tourists who come to the Park to see a wide range of animals that permanently live within the Amboseli National Park.
Things that you must carry on your game drive in Amboseli
Amboseli is a top destination for game drives and if you are planning on spending a few days exploring the National Park, there are essentials that you must October to enjoy your trip and these have been listed below.
- Camera
Even though smartphones are on the rise and take good photos, the best way to take photos is by using a camera. It is the traditional way of taking still photos but cameras are recommended while on a safari. DSLR cameras are recommended and with the many photos you get to take, you will need to carry extra batteries for the camera do not forget to keep your camera and batteries in a small dustproof and waterproof bag.
- Sun protection gear
Sun protection gear includes a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat is recommended while on the game drives, and polarized sunglasses and sunscreen will keep you safe from the heat and direct sunlight.
- First aid kit
Since the game drives are going to be carried out in the wild, you need to carry a small first aid kit because you never know when you might get a scratch or bruise, headache, stomach upsets and other ailments. The medical kit will offer you some relief while on the drive so make sure it is in your tour van at all times.
- Binoculars
Binoculars will help you view animals that are a bit far away. Binoculars with an 8×30 magnification are the best to use while on game drives in Amboseli National Park.
- Insect repellent
Amboseli National Park is known to be filled with mosquitoes and other bugs so insect repellent is a necessity while on your trip to the National Park. Game drives are normally carried out in the mornings and this is the time when mosquitoes come out when the sun is not yet out.
- Safari clothes
Choosing the perfect clothes to take on your game drive normally depends on the weather and the time of day that the drive is scheduled to take place. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers both in neutral cool colors are recommended for game drives since they do not attract the attention of the wild animals and you need to blend in with the wild.
Rules and regulations to follow on Game drives
Some rules and regulations were put up for tourists on a game drive in Amboseli. These rules are to protect both the animals and the tourists. These have been listed below so that you can get to know and memorize them before heading down for a game drive. You will also be briefed about these rules before the game drive begins.
- Do not feed the animals
- Make sure you keep a healthy distance between yourself and the animals.
- Do not over speed while driving through the National Park because you might knock down the animals that keep randomly moving around the Park.
- Never alight the vehicle while on game drives.
- Turn your phones and radios off because noise disrupts the animals.
- Do not litter the National Park. You are advised to keep all the rubbish in the van till you remove the Park premises.
When to go for game drives in Amboseli National Park
Game drives in Amboseli are best done during the dry season. The dry season is the best time for game drives because of the following
- This is the time of the year when the park has a large concentration of animals.
- The trail routes in the dry season are dusty but not slippery and muddy
- Due to the thinning vegetation, the animals can easily be spotted during the dry season
- Less rainfall is received during this time causing the animals to move to the waterholes for water.
What to expect on a game drive
A game drive through Amboseli will take you to the observation hill where you get to view the whole park from a cone-shaped hill, drive around Lake Amboseli where some of the aqua animals like hippos, buffalos, and crocodiles can be seen, the Sinet delta which is the best birding spot for tourists and you also get to see the great views of Mountain Kilimanjaro. Some of the animals that you get to see while on a game drive include lions, hippos, buffalos, elephants, kudus, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, ela and gazelles among others.
Where to stay during the game drive
Accommodation in Amboseli while on a game drive can be got from different lodges that include the Satao Elerai camp, Tawi Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Kibo Lodge, Amboseli sopa lodge, and the Tortilis camp among others.
With Game drives being the highlight of every safari, you shouldn’t miss out one in Amboseli and due to the small size of the National Park, you can join the Amboseli game drive with other activities that are carried out in the Park and other parks in Kenya like Masai Mara Game Reserve.