Amboseli and Tsavo West through my lens

[optig]

Since I'm fortunate enough to be in Kenya during the corona virus epidemic I decided to take advantage of the low rates, and go on another safari. I went to Amboseli and stayed for four nights at Tortilis Camp and then I went again four nights  to Finch Hatton's in Tsavo West. I enjoyed both camps immensely. I was surprised at just how luscious the food was at Tortilis Camp.I also have to say that I was pleasantly surprised in Amboseli by how much wildlife I saw apart from the elephants. There were so many pachyderms in and they were extremely relaxed. I also have to say that there were plenty of baby elephants in Amboseli. I can say in all sincerity that the Kenyan elephant population is truly growing. 

[ElenaH]

wow! amazing sighting @optig!  Are they all from Amboseli or from both parks?

[optig]

@ElenaHI took photos at both Amboseli and Tsavo,I do have to say that the wildlife viewing especially for elephants was better at Amboseli.

[BRACQUENE]

@optig

 

A very sharp lens I must say and a pleasure to see in these bleak days !

[ElenaH]

@optigindeed photos are very good, I love the expression of a lion cub and a sunset with acacia (is it Acacia Tortilis? Umbrella thorn, Mosu)

Amboseli is known for excellent opportunities to make pictures of elephants with dramatic skies, etc... I have never been there and set it on my wish-list along with Mara and  Ndutu... Actually I've never been to Kenya and Tanzania. All my 14 trips were to Bots, SA, Nam, Zim and Zam. Now I bought travel guides for Kenya and Tanzania and want to know more about their parks ;-)

Where is cheetah from?

[Amylovescritters]

Looks wonderful.  I've stayed at Finch Hatton's before... Loved the hippo and croc action in camp. Considering a trip (Health Service deal to Ol Pejeta and Mara Naboisho via Doug MacDonald) in May. Had not planned on it but its such a great price. 

[optig]

@ElenaH I was fortunate enough to see cheetahs in Amboseli. I would love to give you some ideas about where to go in Kenya and Tanzania. I only need to 

know what you want to see and have idea of your budget.

[ElenaH]

@optigWOW! nice shots! especially those two cheetahs and ostriches! but other shots are also good! Very close to lions!

I appreciate your help very much and will come back to you. Probably I will open a new topic where I will ask for ideas. At the moment I know I'd like to see and photogtaph a big open space with one tree, skies and elephants  (Amboseli?) Also Giraffes in the open space. There are no giraffes in Ambiseli? I need to find it out. The mount Kilimanjaro must be also seen from Amboseli?

And the other picture I have in mind are lions on rocks or on stones. Or any other animal on rocks. But it must be not a big rock, just a rock with skies behind it to accentuate an animal dignity. 

And the next I want to see flamingos in water. That's it so far. All other stuff will be nice to have: like cheetah with cubs or cheetah's hunt.

Regarding budget: we don't take expensive lodges anymore but rather simple and we are doing self-driving with combination of camping and lodges. The most important is a wildlife experience. We love to be in nowhere and alone. So, it is not easy becasue Kenya and Tanzania have a lot of visitors and can be crowded. That is why we haven't visit those countries yet. I even don't know if it is possible to do self-driving in Kenya. As far as I know it is possible in Tanzania.

[optig]

@ElenaH I saw plenty of giraffes in Amboseli. And yes you can certainly see Mount Kilimanjaro when you are in Amboseli.Personally I wouldn't recommend driving in Kenya unless you have driven elsewhere in Africa. On my latest safari even after having lived in Kenya for over eight and a half years,I couldn't believe just how aggressive and reckless Kenyan drivers were. I think that you would better off with a professional driver. 

 

 

 

[optig]

I have plenty of other photos but I will select and post some of them in this thread. Please notice the klipspringers in the Shetani lava flow in Tsavo West.

[AfricIan]

Some really nice photographs here @optig, "all" that's missing is an elephant with a snow-capped Kilimanjaro as background  (although I remember from our time in Amboseli that Kili was always either obscured by clouds or the wildlife was in the opposite direction 

[MMMim]

@Africlan we were lucky to visit Amboseli last year and enjoy unobstructed views of Kilimanjaro for 3 days!  And yes, I actually got the mountain/elephant herd shot.  Unfortunately, not as much snow caps the mountain anymore. 

 

@optig love your pictures, looks like you had a marvelous time.  Brings back wonderful memories!  Thank-you

[Kitsafari]

@optig Amboseli looks so green! was it after the rains? look forward to more photos of a place I have yet to visit.

[optig]

@Kitsafari I went to Amboseli before the rains which take place in November and December. I enjoyed Amboseli more than I expected. Tortillis 

Lodge was excellent. The general wildlife viewing was better than when I stayed at Ol Donyo Lodge in Chuyulu Hills National Park. 

I saw lions and cheetah in Amboseli.

 

 

[Rick - Gamewatchers]

Lovely photos! I wish I was in Kenya right now instead of going into Fall / Winter in Canada. 

[Game Warden]

33 minutes ago, Rick - Gamewatchers said:

I wish I was in Kenya right now

 

You are not the only one @Rick - Gamewatchers

[michael-ibk]

Lucky you Owen that you can get away to Kenya´s great parks just like that. Really nice photos, I hope there´s more to come?

[gatoratlarge]

great shots Owen!  Sure wish I was there! 

[Atravelynn]

How nice to see cheetahs in Amboseli!  That Martial Eagle's eyes are very piercing.  Were these stops part of your elephant orphanage trip?