3 Days Amboseli & Tsavo West Unforgettable Adventure: An Honest Review
Looking at getting away for a bit, like, maybe on a quick safari? Perhaps a 3-day hop over to Amboseli and Tsavo West sounds pretty neat. I went on that kind of trip not that long ago and, as a matter of fact, wanted to give you the lowdown. It’s almost like getting the inside scoop from a pal before you book anything. Very cool, yeah?
What to Expect: A Quick Look
Alright, so, too it’s good to know what you’re signing up for, eh? These three days involve some driving, actually amazing wildlife views, and evenings in lodges. It’s almost a mix of getting up before the sun to find animals and sitting back as you think, like, “Wow, look at that view”. You know?
We typically left really early, maybe around 6 AM, to, in a way, catch animals during their most active time, which can be, you know, an amazing experience to witness. Then, you are likely to take mid-afternoon breaks because, in some respects, everyone is hiding from the sun. Evenings are basically for relaxation, thinking about that dinner you might have, that kind of thing. Actually quite chill.
The Main Highlights
Elephants, seriously – you can see herds of them, and it’s often with Kilimanjaro looming behind. Very classic, Kenya, that. You will get the chance to see predators; you could spot lions, and, actually, if you are really observant you might even see a cheetah if you keep an eye out! Tsavo West gives you cooler landscapes, too, not only wide plains but also volcanic hills to have a glance at as you explore, a bit different from Amboseli so it keeps stuff pretty fresh as you make you way round.
Potential Downsides
Look, very early starts are not really for everyone, so, in some respects that could be a problem if you really fancy sleeping in! In some respects, the drives are pretty long, to be honest, particularly getting between the parks. You might not like that. Very bumpy roads, it’s good to prepare for this and keep that in mind. That is important to have at the front of your mind.
Day 1: Amboseli – Elephants and the Majestic Kilimanjaro
Anyway, on the first day, we shot straight over to Amboseli, just a little buzzing with the thought of hopefully seeing some large herds, you know? That picture of elephants marching right under Kilimanjaro? That’s basically the main thing everyone comes to capture. Seemingly it’s all about being at the correct place and at the right time, but it’s also more or less almost guaranteed if you hang around those areas!
Actually, we rolled into the park as the sun was climbing, that golden sunlight thing happening and the air still quite crisp. It might be that we found a family of elephants pretty fast, mum, dad, little ones – all munching away. Clearly amazing. Just watching these really awesome animals interacting seemed pretty wild, like we were just visitors to their home. And trust me when I say this, everyone had cameras snapping like crazy. It might seem so touristy, but who cares! You will probably take a snap, too!
We were, as a matter of fact, lucky enough for Kili to be completely clear of clouds most of the day. As a matter of fact, we captured plenty of snaps of that majestic mountain basically being a backdrop to, arguably, every animal shot, a memory to keep close to my heart as they are such great experiences.
Accommodation Experience
Alright, we stopped over at a lodge right near the park entrance, just a little convenient to be so close. It might be that it had the classic safari camp vibe – tents with nice comfy beds and, honestly, really great food. By the way, there’s a pool for that quick dip which is quite nice, though maybe you wouldn’t fancy it as, like your days do, that are quite jam-packed already. This made things easier because all of your stuff are catered for, so, in some respects it means less things for you to worry about!
Day 2: Tsavo West – A Change of Scenery
We packed up and left early for Tsavo West. What I saw of it anyway. Instead of the open plains, you’ve basically got that cooler vibe here – hills, rocks, and way more trees. Arguably, the landscape just seems totally different from Amboseli, actually makes it all interesting seeing something a bit new as we drove into the park. Honestly, you’d barely realize you were still in Kenya!
Rhino Sanctuary Visit
So, anyway, we hit up the rhino sanctuary in the park, where it’s almost like you have a much higher chance to, you know, actually catch a glimpse of one of these elusive big creatures. Anyway we were actually pretty lucky – a white rhino came strolling, grazing away like he had not a care. They’re heavily guarded so it’s great that they’re safe, just so that you’re aware of that fact!
Mzima Springs
Anyway, Mzima Springs felt very special. In other words, an oasis out in the middle of the park. Crystal waters bubbling out the ground with all that plant life and a whole family of hippos playing in the water as a backdrop. Seemingly, they were all chillin’, so too were a few crocs hanging out, which is quite nice in the context of an active spring within the national park.
We literally checked out the underwater viewing chamber; this made things way cooler than I initially gave credit for. Obviously, a tank might be something that might appear initially. Seemingly pretty neat watching the hippos swim under the surface – they are, frankly, way more graceful in the water, if you consider this aspect.
Day 3: Final Game Drive and Heading Back
Actually, our last day started with one final crack at finding animals that we maybe missed out on as a parting experience. I think what it comes down to is whether we get a cool spot like we did on the Tsavo plains would potentially round out this last trip. In the meantime the pressure felt was on to actually complete the goal!
We might find the animals this last trip might involve. It’s a good opportunity to catch a nice shot for your collection too, for instance. As a matter of fact, we bumped into a cheetah out on the prowl, she had that focused energy about her as she scans, like, your surroundings. Watching it moving around out in the wild will, in other words, really set your hairs on edge; you never know how dangerous the animals you encounter can be. We could not find a hunt as she disappeared into a shrub!
Saying Goodbye to the Bush
Anyway, after grabbing breakfast at the camp, which made things so easy, actually, we were almost heading away back to reality. Seemingly, driving away from Tsavo, I think about the animals we’d peeped and just kind of how cool those landscapes are and think, “This would actually make for good social media posts!” This trip felt extremely brief and concise. You have to kind of cherish the small things sometimes.
Would I recommend this 3-Day Safari?
So, too, let’s answer the biggest query of all: would I drop that recommendation on this journey? Actually, without thinking at all! You’re definitely getting value, though. A nice quick slice of some really awesome East Africa nature with some majestic landscape features.
Who’s this safari ideal for?
- Folks on a tight schedule: Just a bit crammed for time but craving a getaway into Kenya’s awesome wildlife? This would actually feel right at your alley, eh?
- Wildlife enthusiasts: Seeing elephants strut in the foreground, there’s just no getting around that. Seeing rhinos also makes for great times, not gonna lie.
- Photography lovers: That golden light as dawn breaks really, very brings out your camera talents with you finding yourself at the helm of your own, privately-crafted masterpiece. So cool, in other words.
Few things I would potentially tweak.
- More downtime, yeah?: Seriously, getting that earlier snooze sounds too tempting. It might just save the stress. A little in fact.
- Road quality improvement: Maybe if you take a chill pill before boarding, a less bumpy ride sounds likely too. In that case you want that for your holiday I would guess.
- A better jeep is a must: Potentially a newer car could avoid you from the shock, especially if you prefer those smoother travels. In that case that might need adjusting before you board.
So, as you decide what kind of East African outing fits right, perhaps see if Amboseli and Tsavo strike close to your wish list. It has to be a fantastic option, right? If I go that way, this kind of snapshot may do just nicely. Best wishes!