Amboseli’s star: big herds and famous bulls, often around the permanent swamps.

Look for prides on the plains and near prey herds; dawn and dusk are best.

Amboseli’s open plains can be good habitat, but sightings are luck-based.

Often heard at night; active at dawn and around kills.

Possible but not reliable; more often in thicker cover and along wooded edges.

Large herds often stick to water; impressive near swamps.

Elegant browsers on acacias; great silhouette shots with the mountain.

One of the most visible grazers; often in big mixed herds.

Often with zebras; calves attract predators after rains.

Comical runners with tails up; common along tracks and plains.

Mostly in deeper swamp pools; easiest seen around permanent water.

Graceful, pale gazelles of open plains; often very visible.

Small, fast gazelles; often in big groups on short grass.

Common around bushy edges and water; superb jumpers.

Largest antelope; sometimes seen in small groups on plains or bushland.

Often close to water and thicker cover.

Bold, social troops; common near roads, lodges and rocky areas.

Small, curious monkeys often near trees and lodges.

Often seen trotting along tracks or scavenging near kills.

A small fox with huge ears; usually in open short grass.

Tiny antelope hiding in shrubs; brief sightings are common near cover.

A sleek hunter sometimes seen crossing tracks.

Long-legged cat associated with wetlands; sightings are special.

Sometimes in swamp channels; more often in larger river systems but possible here.

Small, rabbit-like mammals on rocky outcrops (including around Observation Hill).

A safari icon — watch for bright colors on roadside branches.

Tall raptor that hunts on foot — a favorite sighting on open plains.

One of Africa’s largest eagles; scan big trees and thermals.

Listen for the unmistakable call near wetlands.

Elegant crane with a golden ‘crown’ — often in wet grasslands.

Large, striking stork patrolling shallow water.

‘Lily-trotter’ with very long toes for walking on floating plants.

Massive ground bird of open savanna.

Common around camps and acacias; brilliant colors at close range.

Seen in and around wetlands; good for big-bird photography.

Classic flat-topped ‘umbrella’ tree of Amboseli plains.

Yellow-green bark; often near wetter areas and seasonally flooded ground.

Spiny acacia often associated with ants living in swollen thorns.

Hardy tree of drylands; edible fruits used by people and wildlife.

Known for its large sausage-shaped fruits; often near water.

Large fig tree that can provide shade and fruit for birds.

Traditional ‘miswak’ tree; hardy species in arid and saline soils.

Fan-leaved palm associated with dry riverbeds and edges.

Clumping palm found near water and moist soils.

Aromatic shrub/tree with peeling bark; common in semi-arid East Africa.

A hardy aloe with tall flower spikes; blooms after rains.

Striking pink flowers on a swollen trunk; common in dry regions.

Bright orange flower whorls; attracts birds and insects.

Shrub with yellow flowers and a distinctive ‘popcorn’ scent when crushed.

Large yellow hibiscus-like blooms, often after rains.

Aromatic shrub sometimes called ‘fever tea’.

A vine with unusual ‘hairy’ bracts; small edible fruit when ripe.

Bright yellow-orange daisy flowers; often along roadsides (can be invasive).

Aromatic bush basil; flowers attract pollinators.

Tall cactus-like succulent tree in drier landscapes.