Amboseli National Park, Kenya

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I have always wanted to visit Amboseli National reserve in Kenya. I had heard alot about Amboseli National Reserve formerly known as Amboseli National Park. From her famous big Jumbos( Elephants) to the
view of the snow- capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro, the park is one you cant miss

to visit in Kenya. My grandfather always talked about their trip to Amboseli, he
loved Elephants and in these place he found all that he wanted to see. If you
could hear my grandpa talk about this place, you would definately put it in your
list of places to visit while on vacation in Kenya. After my grandpa passed away
in January 2010, i decide to visit Amboseli National park, this was not my first
time in Kenya, i have been in Kenya several time and done safaris , but never
visited Amboseli national reserve because of tight schedules.

The next thing i decided was to contact my travel agent in Kenya, Inside Africa Budget Safaris since they are the ones who handle all my travel while in Kenya and Tanzania. I have grown to love them because of
their wonderful service and treating me as one of them. I told them that i
will be visiting, and they should arrange for me a 6 day trip with Amboseli
national reserve included. Amboseli is Kenyas moat spectacular displays of
wildlife, lion, elephants, leopards, cheetah and bufallo creating Kenyas most
sought after photographers parade.

When the D day finally came, me and my wife landed in Jomo Kenyatta Airport where we were picked up by our agents and transfered to the hotel. We were later taken to Carnivore restaurant for dinner, here there
are all types of bush meat and very tasty too. We later retired back to the
hotel for overnight . The next morning we were picked up by our driver "Jomba"
his a very good man and friendly too.Before we left, we passed to the market to
pick up our cook, "Mkorino" that is his name, i tell you this , the guy is
wonderful and id you ever make this trip with this agency for camping in
Amboseli, demand forthis cook ( Mkorino).

We finally departed for Amboseli national reserve, we were just the two of us plus the driver and cook, we had booked for private tour. Amboseli lies about 250km from Nairobi on the border with Tanzania at the
foot of Africa's highest point, kibo, peeps beautifully from the clouds
especially in early mornings and evenings.The camp we were going to stay in is
in the middle of the park and without a fence. One practically lives with the
animals, its no place for the faint heated. The elephant bones arranged outside
showed their dedication to this large animals.We had a evening game drive taking
the wandering circuits around the park , looking for animals. At longinye swamp
we came across a herd of bufalloes grazing in the swamp. They glared balefully
at our intruding party probably wondering why humans could not just mind their
own business. A few metres away, a herd of elephants was grazing too. Beside the
swamp, there were some remains of elephants clearly indicating how bad the
drought affected them the previous year.

As we drive around the park, dark clouds can be seen gathering around Mt Kilimanjaro threatening to release its contents.It is said that Amboseli has about 1500 elephants, the largest number in all Kenyan
parks and reserves per square metre. We soon prove this as we stumble upon
herds after every few kilometres. Being on the border , animals cross between
the two countries at will. In the dry season , the herds are found in the low-
lying Amboseli but retreat to higher ground in Tanzania at the foot of Mt
Kilimajaro in the wet season. Our driver decides to head straight for the
highest point in Amboseli, the observation hill where one can see the entire
park. Our eyes are now peeled looking for the king of the jungle, the lion. We
soon hit pay dirt. About 500 metres from the road, a lion is stalking a herd
of impala who by now are alert, their heads held high. We, however , can only
see a small speck as the distance is too far.As other vans slowly gather around
waiting for the inevitable dash, we move on towards observing hill hoping that
we will have a chance to see the lion at close quarters.

The last day we drive straight on with a few brief stop[s for photos . Another herd of elephants passes very close and in our open roof vehicle, we are able to see them without any scare.We slow down to let them
pass. They however start trumpeting, signaling danger and we know the lions are
around. The young ones move quickly to the middle of the herd for safety. . Back
to the lions den, referred to as Makindu due to the coniferous plants all around
here, we slowly approach , looking for any sign of the lions. Soon we spot two
cubs lying in a clearing, a big lioness watching the bushes, most likely not
seeing the lions aware all the same. In the evening we later retire to the camp,
and guess what surprise, Mkorino our cook prepared a birthday cake for my wife,
i guess our agent told him, it was so nice that didn't know what to say apart
from thank you.

The next morning, our last day we had a morning game drive and later in the afternoon after lunch, we departed for Nairobi ending our trip. Thank you Inside Africa Budget Safaris for this wonderful
adventure.
For more info visit www.insideafricatravel.com