Nestled in the southern reaches of Kenya, Amboseli National Park stands as a testament to Africa’s breathtaking beauty and biodiversity. Its iconic landscape is dominated by the majestic presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, whose snowcapped peak provides a stunning backdrop to the park’s diverse wildlife and rich ecosystems.
Amboseli National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, towers over Amboseli National Park like a silent guardian. Its snowcapped summit, often shrouded in mist at dawn, creates a striking contrast against the African savannah below. This iconic imagery has made Amboseli one of the most photographed wildlife destinations in the world.
The name Amboseli originates from a Maasai word signifying “salty dust”, and it is one of the best places in Africa to view extensive groups of elephants very close, as indicated by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Nature mates can investigate five unique territories here running from the went away bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, the savannah and forests. They can likewise visit neighborhood Maasai groups who live around the recreation center and experience their bona fide society.
Amusement drives are the foundation of most safaris, with the thought being to spend whatever number hours as could be expected under the circumstances in the hedge looking for anything intriguing.
The diversion drive is normally early morning to mid-morning and late evening, with a break right off the bat for breakfast, and another amidst the day for lunch.
Amboseli is renowned for its abundant wildlife, ranging from large herds of elephants to lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous bird species. However, one of its most famous residents was Tim, the legendary big tusker elephant. Tim became a symbol of Amboseli’s conservation efforts, with his massive tusks and gentle demeanor captivating visitors and researchers alike. His presence underscored the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures and their habitats.
Amboseli -Tim (The Greatest Tusker)
Amboseli Tim was one of the last remaining great tuskers in Kenya; with tusks so long that they touch the ground. This is the term used to describe African elephants – usually male – whose tusks are so long that they reach the ground. The great tuskers are an irreplaceable symbol of our continent’s unique natural heritage.
Their magnificent tusks are in some countries trophies for hunters thus putting these elephants at risk.
In the mid-1970s the first research of the Amboseli elephants was begun. To make things easy for the researchers they named each of the elephant families with a two-letter code starting with the letter T, like TA, TB, etc. Then each elephant was given a name that began with the letter T.
Thus, the son of Trista and grandmother of the indomitable Teresia became, Tim. Tim was named by Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, as part of what has become the world’s longest running scientific study of the species.
In 2014, two of Kenya’s most iconic great tuskers, Satao and Mountain Bull, were killed by poachers, thankfully Tim survived an attempted poaching via a poisoned spear attack. A team of rangers found Tim and were able to cure the nasty infection of the spear attack. In 2016, Tim was again wounded by a spear and a blow to the head by a huge rock hurled by angry farmers.
Tim did what every intelligent being would do and took himself to the medical facilities to get himself fixed up! In 2016 the researchers needed to add more protection for Tim and to curtail his trips to the farmers market in Kimana, and so he was given a GPS collar. The authorities were always alert to his location at all times and mobilize security to the farmlands.
Tim was not only known for his tusks but also his friendly and charismatic personality. He was also known to be a prolific father much sought after by females in oestrus and spent his adult life passing on his genes to elephant population in Amboseli.
He died in February, 2020 at the age of 50 from natural causes. Tim was over 11 feet tall and weighed over 12,000 lbs. The 150,000 bundles of muscle fibers in Tim’s trunk can lift very heavy objects
Only in Amboseli can you have a glance of Mt Kilimanjaro from the comfort of your tent so dont be left out .Join us Bison Safaris for a very memorable safari to one of the must visit parks in Kenya.