Tsavo East Safari Adventure
By Ieva Staveckaite
The 13,747 sq.km Tsavo East National Park makes up the largest protected wilderness area in Kenya. It is home to an astounding number of animals, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard). The vast majority of the park consists of grassland and savanna, making it easier to spot these incredible animals as they take on daily life in their natural habitat.
When on a safari tour, it is important not to get hung up on solely chasing the esteemed Big Five, especially as you are dealing with wild animals in a non-controlled environment. Though there are, of course, several tips to help make your experience all the more worthwhile and special!
KEY TIPS:
Research- Make sure to research different tour companies to enable you to get the most out of what you want from this experience. There are so many different packages out there offering from one full day in the safari park to up to two weeks across many different ones.
Dress comfortably- Although there is no specific dress code for game drives, as you will be spending the majority of it seated in a car, it is important to know that there are significant temperature changes between the early morning (which can be very cold), midday (very hot) and the evening (again pretty cold). For this reason, I recommend bringing clothing which you can layer. As for shoes, you can't go wrong with a pair of trainers or some boots.
DO NOT miss any game drive opportunities- No two game drives are ever the same, so be sure not to opt-out of one just because it may begin early in the morning. You'll never know what you'll be missing out on! As you are not actually guaranteed to see anything, you definitely want to improve your chances by going on as many game drives as are available to you.
Listen to and respect your game driver- In order to stay safe and enjoy the adventure to its fullest, it is imperative that you obey all the rules set by the park, as well as your guide. Don't forget that these wild animals can be unpredictable! The hippos, in particular, are very aggressive, the most dangerous out of all the African animals. Make sure to keep your hands as well as any cameras inside the car at all times. Improving your chances of getting a good photo is not worth compromising the rest of your trip, be it from sustaining injuries or getting kicked off the tour altogether.
SAFARI DIARY:
Travelling in from Diani Beach we had an early morning rise at 5:30 am, as we needed to be checked out and ready to go at reception by 6 am. Having checked out, we met our driver and guide for the next two days, whose fantastic knowledge and willingness to remain interactive throughout really made this experience an unforgettable one. The drive to Tsavo East from Diani took a total of 4 hours, and it's safe to say your ass will be numb by the time you get there. There is a short pit stop along the way, where you can use the toilet, buy refreshments, as well as souvenirs.
At the gates of the park our vehicle was transformed when the roof was taken down, and very persuasive salesmen insisted our experience just wouldn’t be the same without the purchase of a safari hat. For the cheap price of €15, how could we not give in? Geared up and fittingly accessorised, our first game drive commenced.
Given that we were approaching the hottest time of day, when all the animals tend to retreat to shaded areas for relief, we were exceptionally lucky to have encountered as many of them as we did. We caught herds of dust red elephants wallowing in and throwing mud on themselves in an attempt to cool off (this is in fact how they get their unique colour), zebras galloping past in what seemed like a never-ending stream of black and white, and to our surprise we came inches away from a lounging lion, with not a care in the world, and all on our very first drive!
This game drive ended when we reached the location of our safari accommodation: Voi Wildlife Lodge. This 4-star hotel sits on a 25-acre site situated at the very boundary of Tsavo East National Park. Its jaw-dropping feature is its very location. With 88 rooms overlooking the great savannah, you don't need to go much further than your balcony to catch a glimpse of the incredible wildlife.
Our luxury room was very spacious, comprised of two four-poster beds, an en-suite bathroom and a terrace from which we could witness elephants lapping up water from the nearby water hole. You truly get lost in time as you sit back and take in these astonishing surroundings. The Tembo Restaurant, which serves international and local cuisine in a buffet style, has an attached footbridge which extends all the way to the water hole, bringing you just that bit closer to the exquisite animals huddled there. The property additionally boasts a swimming pool, as well as a spa and wellness centre.
After setting down our belongings and grabbing some delicious lunch, it was time for our afternoon game drive. The temperature at this time of day was just perfect! With the sun no longer beating down on us, we were able to take full of advantage of this phenomenal experience by enjoying the view from the elevated roof.
From up here, everything felt that bit more surreal. Giraffes were what seemed an arms-reach away as they feasted on the leaves growing from the blooming trees. On this drive, we also encountered waterbucks, impalas, antelopes, elephants and zebras. Each and every sighting was special, but what I will never forget is the image of the sun slowly setting behind the rolling Sagala hills. After nearly three hours of exploring the vast and wonderful savannah, it was time to head back to the lodge for some well-deserved rest.
Our final and my favourite game drive was set against the beautiful sunrise, as the animal kingdom was waking up. As we travelled through the park back to the entrance, we once again encountered antelopes, zebras, giraffes and even a lone hyena searching for its next victim.
Just as we were about to leave, our driver got a very exciting call detailing a rare sighting of an entire lion pride. We raced to catch a glimpse and were left in total awe. Hidden in the bushes of the savannah lay an enormous pride male, spotted by his lavish mane, while a crowd of lionesses circled him. I want to reiterate here the importance of researching tour companies. Our tour guide could have easily driven on and not told us about the lions, as we were already practically at the entrance gates of the park. Luckily for us, he was just as concerned as we were about making the most out of this experience.
On our journey back to Diani Beach, we had the opportunity to visit a nearby Masai Tribe village, where a family of 70+ made a home for themselves. Here we were greeted with a traditional dance ceremony put on by the Masai warriors. These are typically performed during special occasions such as weddings or during the celebration for when a boy becomes a man.
We were taken around by a very welcoming and informative tribe member, who showed us how their homes are built, the nursery and school the children attend, the produce grown, and the cattle kept. We additionally had the chance to purchase some beautiful handcrafted jewellery, perfect for souvenirs and gifts.
It was a huge privilege to be able to learn a bit more about the people local to the region, and the customs they follow. If you have the chance, I would strongly recommend taking this opportunity, but please be mindful in the process. When it comes to photographing people and their homes ensure you have their permission.