TSAVO - KENYA scouting trip JUNE 2017
Posted by Wild4 Photo Safaris on 11th Jun 2017
In June I went on a scouting trip to check out both East & West Tsavo National Parks in Kenya.
These are just some of my thoughts on the two locations, and some photographs. I also stoppd at Amboseli for a couple of nights, staying at Amboseli Serena Lodge.
Firstly Tsavo East - this I found to be a great park and I did get some great images here. It is very quiet on the tourist side so it has a wonderfu atmosphere of true adventure. We stuck to the rivers a lot as there are not that many game drive roads. All the general game species are there, but a great find was the Lesser Kudu which are common in Tsavo and I think one of the most beautiful of the African Antelopes. We were lucky to find Lions too. It is good for bird life and the "Red ELEPHANTS" are spectacular to see. It seems like a place that can surprise you, you just do not know what is around the next corner. I would go back, but it is not a park I would visit on my one and only to trip to Africa. It is different to other parks so I weould visit it if you wanted to see something different and had already been on other safaris before.
Tsavo West was completely different to East as far as the terrain goes, very hilly and higher in altitude with some spectacular views from "Roaring Rocks" and "Poachers Lookout" (what great names too ) Tsavo West also have the very visible Lava Fields that only flowed around 200 years ago, and it has Mzima Springs, the clear water spring , famous for its underwater hide where you can be lucky to see Hippos and Crocodiles beneath the surface. On my visit there were a lot of fish and a Crocodile.. I also saw the Fringe Eared Oryx for the first time, and Tsavo is very good for birds, there were a number of species that you also find in Samburu, including one of my favourites, the Golden Breasted Starling, a stunning bird and common in Tsavo.
I think Tsavo West is perhaps a tiny bit more interesting due to is terrain.
We will be running a new trip in June 2018 to Tsavo, Amboseli and the Mara.. doing a combination of these three parks will offer a different experieince and different photo opportunities.
Enjoy some photos from the trip.
Kind regards
Stu
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Hi Justyna and Stu, having just returned from a Wild4 Photographic Safari in Kruger Park for 10 days, I would just have to say it was perfect for me and my brother-in-law. Kosie our guide was great. We were unable to stump him on any animal, bird or plant. His ability to spot wildlife and birds and his instincts and knowledge seem hard to surpass. The sightings were far beyond any expectations. John and Ann were a bonus, preparing meals and driving in a separate vehicle and communicating with Kosie via CB when they spotted something interesting. They were like family. Kosie would position us for great photographs and make any requested adjustments, and had great instincts about animal behavior and what they would do next. Can’t say enough good thing about Wild4. Well organized. Thanks for a great experience!
Michael Showalter, USA
We just came back from our photo safari with Wild4 African Photographic Safaris. From our first email exchange with Justyna, to being dropped off at Hoedspruit airport, everything was handled professionally and was so well organized. Our guide for our tailor made safari was Jaco who picked us up at Nelspruit Airport. What we did not expect was we were also greeted by Stu and Justyna, together with their 2 beautiful daughters, Molly & Jenny. Stu and Justyna came just to make a point to meet us and ensured that we were in good hands.
Over the next 10 days, we were enriched so much by Jaco's knowledge and experience towards wildlife. I will always remember, but could never understand, how 4 lions made a kill, a cape buffalo, but were chased away by 4 hyenas. But that was exactly what we were told by our guide even before the story was unfolding in front of our eyes. This can only interpret as excellent knowledge of animal behaviour.
The sightings were superb and the accommodations were great.
We have no hesitation in recommending Wild4. They are genuine, personable and will try their absolute best to make sure that your trip is going to be a memorable one.
Thanks again, Wild4, for an amazing trip.
Frank & Annette, CANADA