...range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds. A part of the park is covered by a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Within

this basin is a temporary lake,
Lake Amboseli, which is usually dry, but when the heavy rains return so do the
flamingos and the whole surrounding area becomes green and lush again. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro's melting snows, form permanent watering places for the wildlife through times of drought. Over
400 bird species have been recorded in the Amboseli area.
It is also the home of the
Maasai people, those tall, proud nomads whose legendary prowess in battle and single handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals has spread across the globe. People from other parts of the country have settled here attracted by the successful tourist-driven economy and intensive agriculture along the system of swamps that makes this low-rainfall area
one of the best widlife-viewing experiences in the world.