Kenya: Amboseli National Park:

Amboseli National Park is located south-east of Nairobi and 4 hrs. drive, with last 10 miles in rough unpaved road. The Tanzania border and the Mount Kilimanjaro is just few miles south of here. The park itself is at 3,400 ft altitude. The Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,341 ft above sea level.

You can see above, green marsh area and low grass area, where Zebras and Wildebeest graze together. Zebra eats the top soft part and  Wildebeest the lower hard grass.

It is wildlife conservation area with stunning scenery and rich biodiversity. Amboseli is sustained by underground streams from Kilimanjaro's ice top. This creates a mix of habitats, including swamps, open plains, acacia woodlands, and dry lakebeds, all of which attract a diverse range of animals.

Here we saw 4 distinct types of terrain within the park. There are patches of every 1 KM:

• Lake: Hippos and various types of birds, Pelicans, Heren, Flamingos, Cranes
• Marsh/Swamp area with lush green grass: Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffes
• Plain semi dry green grass: Zebras, Wildebeest, Gazelles
• Golden dry grass: Lions and Chetahs. They camouflage themselves very well there.

Amboseli is home to Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Buffalo, Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hippos, Gazelles (Thomson & Grant species), Impala and many types of birds, Pelicans, Heren, Flamingos, Cranes, Storks, bald Eagles, Ostrich.

p.s. 

• We saw all the above animals and birds in the last 2 days here, except Chetah, which was far away, and we could see it only via binocular. All photos are mine, except of a lion, as my fellow traveler had a better zoom camera, so borrowed from him.

• The camels are not native and were brought in by Arabs 100/200 years ago.

See above a mini wildebeest migration.

Elephants: Amboseli is arguably best known for its large herds of free-ranging elephants, including some of Africa's last "big tuskers" with impressive ivory. They move every day from near Kilimanjaro the national park, have their lunch in the marsh land and then return in the evening. They love to eat (thereby destroy), Acacia trees, as the bark is sweet and has many nutrients. With elephant conversation, many acacia trees are now dwindling as eating by elephants.

For More photos and Videos, please click the link:

//---- The following is an overview of Kenya's terrain from various web sources:

Kenya's terrain is remarkably diverse, offering a wide range of landscapes that are a major part of its appeal. The country's geography is defined by several key features:

• The Great Rift Valley: This immense geological fault line cuts through Kenya from north to south, creating a spectacular and dramatic landscape. The valley is home to a chain of lakes, including Lake Turkana (the world's largest desert lake), Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Bogoria. It is also characterized by volcanoes, hot springs, and steep escarpments.

• The Highlands: Bisected by the Great Rift Valley, the Kenyan Highlands are a region of rolling hills, fertile plateaus, and towering mountains. This area is a critical agricultural hub, known for its production of coffee, tea, and other crops.

• Mount Kenya: The country's namesake and second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kenya, is an extinct volcano that rises to 5,199 meters (17,058 ft). Its snow-capped peaks are a striking sight and a significant water source for the country.

• Aberdare Range: This lush, forested mountain range is another important "water tower" for Kenya, providing a habitat for diverse wildlife.

• Coastal Plains: Along the Indian Ocean, Kenya has a narrow coastal strip characterized by white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. This region has a tropical climate and is a major tourist destination.

• Arid and Semi-Arid Lands: The northern and eastern parts of Kenya are vast, arid, or semi-arid plains. This terrain includes expansive deserts, such as the Chalbi Desert, and supports unique wildlife adapted to the harsh conditions.

• Lake Victoria Basin: In the west, the land slopes down to Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest freshwater lake. The region around the lake is a fertile plateau and includes the Kakamega Forest, a remnant of an ancient rainforest.

It is because of these varied terrains, where different types of animals are found, based upon their habitat, food, water and survival.