To the world, it is Amboseli National Park, Kenya’s celebrated wildlife sanctuary known for its majestic elephant herds and sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro. But to the Maasai people, who have lived alongside its wildlife for generations, this land has a more intimate name Empusel.
In the Maasai language, Amboseli means “salty dust” or “place of dust.” It aptly describes the park’s arid plains and dry lakebed, which transforms into a shimmering salt pan during the dry season. Yet, for the locals, Empusel carries the same essence a “place with salt.”
“Empusel and Amboseli mean the same thing,” says Joshua Barnet, a resident and member of the Kitenden Community Conservancy. “It’s like saying ‘President William’ and ‘Ruto’ both refer to the same person.”
Local resident Margret Stoni recalls that, long before commercial salt was available, Maasai herders brought their cattle here to lick the mineral-rich soil. “Our livestock would recover from salt deficiency just by coming here,” she explains. Over time, as the area gained prominence, Empusel evolved into Amboseli.
Located 240 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli spans 390 square kilometers at the northern foot of Kilimanjaro. It generates over Ksh 1.5 billion in tourism revenue and stands as a global symbol of elephant conservation and community-based wildlife management.
In October 2025, Amboseli made history when its management was officially handed over to the County Government of Kajiado. This landmark transfer ensures local communities directly benefit from conservation.
This year’s Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival, held from November 4th to 9th, marks the first celebration since the handover a fitting tribute to the people whose culture and stewardship have long defined Empusel the heart of Amboseli.
