Amboseli: In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
Amboseli National Park has always been one of my favorite parks in Kenya. It is a dry, arid savannah landscape, punctuated by intense green marshes. These marshes are fed by underground springs due to the snow melt of nearby Kilimanjaro volcano. These ever-present waters provide a lifeblood for an amazing amount of wildlife in the area. We found elephants up to their ears in the cool, marshy waters as well as buffalo, zebra, and all kinds of antelope. Herds of animals grazed on the grassy plains surrounding the marsh as they kept a wary eye out for lions. As we entered the park we were greeted by five different herds of elephants emerging out of the forest. They ambled right by our vehicle on their way down to the water. We checked into our wilderness lodge, Amboseli Serena Lodge, which would be our home base for safaris for three days and two nights. A local Maasai warrior patroled the ground as security, but not with a gun for robbers or a knife for big...