Monday 23 April 2012

T is for Tsavo

In mood for a safari? Tsavo National Park is the place to be.

Tsavo National Park is Kenya's largest parks. It is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The difference between these two is the terrain. Tsavo West has more hills and mountains than East. This park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The climate is warm and dry, ideal for any safari fan. Tsavo East is patrolled by large herds of elephants. The largest lava flow in the world, about 300 kilometres in length can be found in this area. There is an abundance of lodges and camps, whichever one prefers.

From 1996 to 2001, I worked in one of the most beautiful lodges in I have even been to and seen. Salt Lick Lodge in the Tsavo West. At that time they were owned by Hilton Hotels, but now belong to Sarova Hotels.  This beautifully built lodge is divided into two wings. A bridge connects the two. The restaurant and reception are at the centre.

The area around the Salt Lick Lodge is not fenced in, so the wildlife strolls by and during the dry season, come in search of water. (There is a water hole at the front)



The other attraction is, watching the sun rise while flying inside a hot air balloon. This was one of the best experiences ever for me.  It gives one a whole new dimension of game viewing, as well as this exhilirating feeling that I can't just describe.



Man Eaters of Tsavo (The scary and dangerous times)

Written by Colonel JH Patterson, it is a true story and tells of when he was in charge of building a bridge for the Uganda Railway over the Tsavo river in 1898. During the night some of his workers were continually being dragged from their tents and then killed by to large male lions. After some time the workers started to believe that because the lions were so fearless, it was actually the Devil in the shape of a lion that was doing this.

In December 1898, after the death toll had risen to 28 Indian workers and a large number of locals, work on the bridge was brought to a halt, until the lions had been shot. After many nights of waiting, Colonel Patterson did eventually kill the lions, which are now on display in the Chicago Natural History Museum in the USA.Source

12 comments:

  1. Wow, those pictures are amazing. I love the elephants. I was just watching a documentary on them last night.

    Oh, and thank you so much for the referral, Cecelia. I really appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks great! Wow, do you only live in stunning places? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. what an experience it sounds like you had---how terrible to be dragged from your dwelling and killed by a lion!

    ReplyDelete
  4. what an interesting experience---so awful though to think of people being killed by lions!

    ReplyDelete
  5. @@Kelly: You are welcome, Kelly. Hope everything went well :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Kelly: Thank you. :) Oh, the stories I'd tell about those elephants! ..LOL. Pretty wild. I do love docmentaries! especially on National Geographic

    @Kate: Thank you. Not only in stunning places: :) as an employee this was also quite wild at times. Scary at times.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i have a friend that sooo wants to go here. i can now see why. :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh wow the pictures look amazing..It would be a wonderful experience for sure to be there..

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Lynn: Yeah it was really sad what happened to the lions. really.

    @Stephanie: It is truly beautiful, especially in July when it'S dry and the wildlife go iin search of water

    @Savannah: Thanks Savannah

    @Karen: It's truly beautiful and worth it. And so sad about the lions :(

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've always wanted to do a safari. For now I guess I have to settle for the local zoo. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've always wanted to go on a safari. Hopefully someday! This must have been an amazing place to work, what a great experience.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That lodge looks interesting. I've never seen any accommodation built like it. Must be awesome to see the wildlife that close.

    ReplyDelete