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, I wanted to say thank you for arranging a trip that exactly reflected the image I had for the trip of my life! James represents your company well; he was the best guide I could have asked for, working tirelessly to ensure that I saw as much activity in the Park as possible. He looked out for my safety and comfort, and he was never reticent about accommodating my viewpoint to the extent he was able and still respect the park and the wildlife. I will never forget this trip; I have also given the name of your company and James as the guide to several people on my travels home. Best regards
Carol Sheppard, USA
If you are serious about nature photography, you can't do better than booking with Wild 4.
Wild 4's itinerary provides sun-up to sundown quality photo-ops, and you feel you are traveling with good friends who are showing you their favorite spots.
This was our fourth African photo safari (three others in East Africa) and we could not believe what a difference it makes, when a professional photographer, who understands light and animal behavior, just happens to be your driver, in a photo vehicle he designed himself. There was super spotting work from Ann from a separate radio equipped vehicle. We were the first on a leopard / impala kill thanks to one of Ann's incredible sightings, resulting in a sensational series of images shot over 45 minutes of the leopard dragging her prey to her den.
After an exciting, productive day in the field, we were treated to friendly conversation, sitting around a campfire, and wonderful feasts magically prepared by Ann.
Wild 4 is a totally professional and very special company.
Thanks Stu, Justyna and Ann for a sensational safari.
Lee & Doris Wiese, USA