
After a week in the Mara, our guests requested an extension to the magnificent Amboseli National Park, in order to see and photograph Elephants. And it was a great decision as we had some amazing sightings in Amboseli. Right into the gate driving in from Nairobi on the first morning we came across an advancing herd of about 40 Elephants, marching through the plains, first at a distance and then closer and closer as they headed to the marshes.
In the afternoon we looked for the big tuskers, Tim, Craig or the others, and it was amazing to actually find them together. It was tough to photograph them together as they were walking at different paces, accompanied by two younger bulls. Craig was often staying behind, while Tim lead the group. It was the first time for me to see these two magnificent and unique creatures together. I was so moved and caught by emotions that I made many photographic mistakes. The light was also fading when they came out of the tree we found them resting under.
We stayed with them until past sunset, and we were rewarded by a magnificent view of Mt Kilimanjaro behind them, wrapped in clearing clouds.
The next morning we were blessed by a magnificent misty sunrise on the marshes. We worked hard to find some elephants to complement the scene and I am happy it really worked out. Two young bulls were grazing peacefully, accompanied by Cattle Egrets.
Later in the morning we came across Tim and Craig again. This time just the two of them heading across the bushes. Another amazing thrill, another challenge in photographing them together as they were often some distance apart. But what a thrill to see two of Africa’s last super tuskers walk together across the plains. Just a unique sighting, and something that cannot be seen in any other country in the world.
On the afternoon drive we decided to explore a different area of the park, for a relatively quiet afternoon. However, just as the sun was about to set, an unforgettable sighting of an elephant family coming out of the marshes and engaging in a magnificent dust bath, perfectly backlit into the setting sun. Unbelieavable.
The following day we looked for more images of Elephants in the marshes at sunrise, but the mist of the previous day was almost entirely gone. Instead we found a great herd of buffalos kicking dust at sunrise, and elephant families grazing along the way to the depth of the marsh. A thin layer of mist and dust appeared and remained suspended for a while after sunrise, giving us a chance for some beautiful images.
We decided to move on and found some Lions walking in the plains, with Mt Kilmanjaro behind. They were obviously newcomers as they were quite shy of the vehicles. We carried on and found large herds of wildebeests crossing the newly formed lakes around the central Amboseli area, among the Flamingos.
Later in the morning we came across a small family of Elephants crossing the might dry lake. The family was lead by the beautiful one-tusked matriarch Marigold, whom I have seen countless times here on the lake.
The safari finished off with a typical Amboseli sunset, with Zebras and Gazelles walking like ghosts in suspended dust.
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