Our first stop in Kenya for safaris would be near the Amboseli National Park. A 30 minute flight from Nairobi in a bush plane, and since we were missing a co-pilot Sharyl (our niece) volunteered to help out. We had a beautiful flight to the southeast of Nairobi near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
We stayed in the Selenkay Conservancy. It is about 15,000 acres of land leased from the Maasai tribes by Porini Camps and is adjacent to Amboseli. Known for huge herds of African elephants, our first camp experience did not disappoint.
As we landed we could see a few elephants near the runway, but on the 10 minute drive to camp, we found a dozen or more at the watering hole near our camp. The area is famous for what they refer to as “big tuskers”. These guys have such huge tusks that they nearly hit the ground. And in Amboseli there is an Elephant Research Center that even names the biggest of the big. Of course the biggest was (he passed away a few years ago) named Tim, so our guides referred to me as Tim the Elephant for our entire stay. (Google “Tim the African Elephant” to see more).
A few of the elephants we saw had names as well, but I, of course, don’t remember them. But they were incredible.
Our camp had about 11 tents of which we occupied 5 including a “family tent” that accommodated Travis, Nikki and the 3 boys. A common tent where meals were served and a lounge area where many games were played. The staff here were all fabulous. The way these camps work you are assigned drivers for your entire stay that take you on game drives twice a day. Our driver was Edison and our spotter was Moses, and they were fabulous!
We saw elephants, elephants, elephants and more elephants. But there were some other animals as well.
We enjoyed (mostly) our nightly visits from lions and the occasional elephant. We couldn’t see them, but you could certainly hear them. At night we were always required to take a security guard with us going from dinner back to our tents. If you needed anything, just flash your light out of your tent, and the guard is there quickly.
We spent one day visiting Amboseli National Park which is adjacent to the Conservancy and covers something like 150 sq miles and borders Tanzania. Famous for elephant but teaming with all sorts of animals.
Another day we visited a local Maasai village. It is an incredible life to live in small huts, but they are the friendliest and happiest people. Some of us even practiced our jumping skills.
Our favorite day was perhaps our last day at the camp. After a morning game drive that found lions and elephants, and an evening sundowner watching elephants at the watering hole, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner. But wait - our guides came in to tell us the lions are at the watering hole - come quick. We jump in our vehicles and race to the watering hole to see and hear the local pride - about 12 lions! It was an incredible way to end our time at this first camp.
We loved Porini Amboseli, but it’s time to head to our next camp - Porini Mara - this one is famous for big cats!
All the best,
Tim & Eileen (and 11 family members)
