Chapter one
It's a road trip!
Come with me to Amboseli National Park. Its saturday! It's time for a road trip! It's time for piga sherehe edition! It's time to Tembea Kenya.
Hii magical Kenya lazima we promote. Please, international tourists, as the unofficial magical Kenya Brand Ambassador, you are werokam. Tuko safe kabisa. We are thriving in the tourism sector.
Let's go to Amboseli now.
See my moti! The overland truck! You see it? The beast is our VIP mode of transport. We have a live DJ and hype man on board. Yes, ukiona hii, It's about to go down like ndaoni. We are collecting memories, not stress. Yes, we are VIPs today, msituone hivi hivi.
My clan knows I need this weekend out of Ilovi. Msiniulize where I get time to travel from, tafadhali. Mtu nikujipanga. Sawa wadau? Shhhh mnaenda kamweretho wapi?
Order! Mbandi order! Sorre, mwarimu. I will be doing more observing than talking. I will also sleep small small dj akizima mziki. I will also be attending a mandatory class on how to be patient even when the itinerary is hours behind schedule.
For example, my pick-up time was 8 am. Kwa ground! You want the truth, right? I enjoyed observing the busy vehicle activity on Mombasa Road for 1 hour. Kumbe magari uwa mingi hivi? You get the drill, sio? Good student. That is why I do travel content for you.
For now, wish us well. We are a group of 30! I know 1% of the people, but si by now you know I thrive better with strangers? Ni life watu wangu. Before sikujua hii maneno.
Catch you next in our next stopover. Msichoke mapema. Mtasoma updates mkiamka.
Promise me one thing. Take your pen and notebook. Ohhhh, you are digital? Pole mbaaasi. Open your notepad. Write this. I will visit Amboseli National Park soon.
Bye. Let me catch faifu.
Chapter two
Arrived — 7 hours later.
Arrived at Amboseli National Park, finally, after 7 hours.
We had several stopovers. Please don't wonder too much.
We are using the Kimana Gate, and ngaes it is buuuuuuuuuuusy. International tourists are maaaany.
Local tourists, we are doing great tooo. Yeees tuko wengi pia. Makofi. Halafu, hizi camera naona huku, niza how much? Yo!
The trip so far is fun. A lot of laughter. A lot of stories, and A lot of dancing. Yes, people have taken expensive water. They are happy. Very, very happy.
I said I am observing, right? Nikama, now I can dance pole pole, one legge. nimeona styro.
Let the real work begin. Game drive. Amboseli to me has the best elephant experience.
Ohh, and Amboseli means a salty, dusty place. Now you know.
Chapter three
Amboseli on a budget.
"We are collecting memories, not stress."
Visiting Amboseli National Park on a budget.
The more I Tembea Kenya, the more I realize that some of the destinations we are afraid of are very manageable.
It just needs you to explore options, align with your wallet, and plan well. I insist on planning. Even 1 year ahead. Yes. Traveling requires financial resources.
You see, I just realized recently that you can camp at Amboseli National Park instead of paying for the high-end hotels.
If you don't want to camp, they have very affordable, nice rooms (actually self-catering houses) at the campsite for you to book.
If driving down is a challenge, join a Tembea Kenya group. Local travel agents advertise many on social media for a fraction of the cost.
Yes, they allow self-drive game drives.
The gate fees are standard for all locals, so here hakuna savings.
Once inside the park, you will still enjoy the same game drives like everyone else. Follow your itinerary. Morning and evening game drives are famous.
The major difference will be your trip duration. A weekend trip gives you 1 night and 2 days. Depending on your budget and mode of transport, you can stay longer.
For a start, imagine a weekend is sufficient. My recommendation is to start with what you have available and fund without pressure.
I have done many budget travels using Kenyan travel agents. Trust me, they are good. Try them. Do your research and join the Tembea Kenya family.
All the best as you plan.