Last Stop in Kenya: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Amboseli lies close to the Tanzania boarder, but the other big plus was the view of Mount Killimanjaro from the Park. Seeing animals graze, roam and play with this amazing landmark as a backdrop was the definite seller. It was perfect we would be taken from Nairobi to the Park to safari for two days/one night and then have the guide drop us to the boarder, Namanga where we will take a bus there to Arusha in Tanzania.

Sounds like a great plan, right?

Welllll…none of this really happened this way.

The bad stuff, okay let’s get this over with. We booked directly with a company that was in an office right next to a hostel we stayed at in Nairobi by Junction. I liked that I had been able to see and go into their office and big tours were leaving from the hostel parking lot every day – I figured they were using this company. This was not the case. I instead had booked with a tiny company who just plainly did not have a clue what they were doing.

THE LOWLIGHTS:

THE TOUR/OUR GUIDE

It ended up being private, which wan’t so much a surprise to us knowing that we were requesting a non-traditional drop off at the boarder. The driver picked us up with a covered truck. We were disappointed, as we were used to the drop-top safari jeeps. We just had windows to see out of. The guide was a super slow driver. What was supposed to take 4 hours, took 6, and it wasn’t due to the usual Kenyan traffic.The guide also had issues, with everything! From the entrance gate coming in to the next day, we were constantly struggling with his problems, which he made us a part of. At first his gate card did not work. Then he took us in the park twice on our first day and so we had issues getting in on our second day. I guess the rules had changed earlier this year that your park fee was now restricted to two times entrance instead of the 24 hours it used to be, which our driver was nieve of. In order for us to go in the second day, we had to spend the entire morning 6a to 11a arguing with several different people to allow us to go in, understanding that we were not aware of the new rule. Our driver was not a good negotiator and spent the whole time arguing about how the new rule was unfair instead of simply pleading that he had made a mistake. It was draining emotionally and heartbreaking to see our morning with the only view of Kili lasting a couple of hours fly right passed us, as we were waiting for someone to hear our plea. Finally, because no one at the park would relent or give us any grievance, Aaron and I  had to pay an extra $70 to enter the park so that 1) We could get a proper day of safari 2) It was our only way of getting to the exit we needed in order to get to the boarder

MOUNT KILI VIEWS

Mount Kilimanjaro was covered by clouds, 99.9% of our time. So bummed.

THE UNORGANIZED BOARDER BUS

It was late. Like 1 1/2 hours late and we needed our guide, in which we already had a strained relationship, to stay with us since he had also already arranged our tickets.

 

BUT, it wasn’t all bad!

THE HIGHLIGHTS

THE ENVIRONMENT – The swamps, they were so cool. All these animals, especially the elephants, just playing and bathing in the water. The water comes directly from the run off of the top of Kili and it was cool to see the ecosystem so connected. Observation Hill was really unique as it offered a great viewing place to see the Park from above and looking over the swamps where hundreds of elephants, hippos and water buffalo enjoyed the sun and water bathing.

THE ELEPHANTS – everywhere! And SOOO close. Now this is THE PLACE if you are an elephant enthusiast. They would come right next to us, or cross the road, free roaming from the swamp to the plains. Herds were 50+ deep of rows or scattered elephants that would go on forever. It was amazing!

SOME OF THE DRIVE – interestingly enough we saw a lot right outside of the park. We needed to break for a family of giraffes and we saw cheetahs (our only cats that trip) hanging right on the side of the road.

OUR PICTURES – While said that Amboseli is the second most popular safari spot in Kenya, it wasn’t very crowded. Compared with especially “The Mara” we were on our own, just us and the brilliant landscape and animals. This allowed us to get some of my favorite pictures – of course of the elephants any way.