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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This was the second trip I have booked through Wild4 and one of the most memorable and pleasurable trips I have ever been on in my life. We were blessed with incredible sightings from a frenzy of feeding wild dog to mating black mambas. The list is endless and the memories will linger for ever in the form of some great images shot from the customised vehicles driven by expert drivers. The camps chosen were great and there was a real and genuine feeling of being a part of your surroundings. A truly African experience. Botswana certainly came up trumps when delivering us such great sightings. From the bush to the Chobe river and the specially adapted photographic boats, you could not have asked for more. I must extend an enormous thank you to you Stu, for your endless patience and professionalism in everything you did for us. Thank you. Also a big thank you to Justyna who’s meticulous planning ensured a seamless trip to and in between each of our camps and destinations. Good job!
Stephen Tattersall, UK
I have just returned from a fantastic custom safari to the Kruger with Wild4. This was my second trip in the Kruger with Wild4 and everything from start to finish was absolutely perfect. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this sort of trip there with anyone else. Things were off to a positive from way before we landed. Justyna was as helpful and patient as ever from day 1 and I must say that her suggestions were all spot on. Not only did she sort everything out for us and made it look easy (although I very much doubt it was), but the information she gave us prepared us well for the trip. As soon as we met up with Stefan after we arrived, we had nothing else to "worry" about except take pictures. He was not only great as a guide with his experience, sharp eyes, and genuine interest in wildlife becoming obvious quickly, but he was also excellent as a driver who knows what works and what doesn't photographically and was thus able to position the vehicle perfectly. It was not uncommon for one of us to just say a couple of words about what we wanted to try photographically and he'd immediatelly be on it, getting us in the perfect position while adhering to the rules and keeping the wildlife's interest as a top priority - something all members of the group I was in appreciated immensly. Thank you Stefan, Justyna, and Stu for making this trip happen for us! I look forward to being back with you guys in the future!
Matthew Scerri, Malta