Welcome to Amboseli!
Amboseli might just be the best place in the world to see elephants, as I’m sure you have already noticed. Noomotio observation hill gives you a great view of the landscape and this is also a good location to have lunch.
The hill you are standing on was formed through volcanic activity of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro itself was formed some 750,000 years ago, and its geological changes continued for 250,000 years. During this period, a number of upheavals and tremors caused formation of 250 volcanic hills and crater lakes around Kilimanjaro. This was in the Pleistocene period, which stretched from 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago.
The swamp you see beneath the viewpoint is called Enkongu Narok Swamp. It is one of many swamps owing its existence to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Rains and snowmelt from the mountain form underground springs that feed the swamps, which attracts hippos and a great variety of birds. Kilimanjaro is Africa's tallest mountain and its name means “Place of Water” in Masai.
You need to actually visit Amboseli to claim a find on this cache. Logs from people who have found the answers without visiting will be deleted.
There is a conservation fee of 80 USD to enter Amboseli National Park (much less if you're an East African resident). If you're on an organized trip this fee is most likely included in the price you've paid for the trip.
Always do what your guide tells you to do. Do not go wandering off on your own. Watch out for wildlife and remember to keep a safe distance.
To log this cache, you need to e-mail me the answers to the following questions:
1. What does Noomotio mean?
2. From the top of the hill you can look down on another volcanic hill, much smaller than the one you're standing on. How big is the small hill in diameter? (Estimate)
3. Describe any animals or birds you see from the viewpoint.
Please submit your answers by e-mail: geo@kjerstih.com or e-mail through my profile page. Logs revealing any of the answers will be deleted without notice.
Optional:
4. Post a picture of yourself at the top of the observation hill, or some other photos you have taken in Amboseli.
