Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Our weekend getaway to Tsavo East National Park was absolutely spectacular! Especially because we didn’t end up on the menu for any lions, haha!!

My partner and I had decided to take advantage of the upcoming long weekend and dash out of town for a short and sweet getaway. After much research and deliberation, we finally settled on visiting the Tsavo East National Park because despite passing the park on numerous trips to and from the Coast, neither of us had ever visited it. The plan was to take the night bus and arrive in Voi by early morning where we’d hail a Taxi to the Lodge we were staying at. Easy, peasy…

Boma Simba Safari Lodge was our accommodation of choice, and let me tell you, it was a far cry from the holiday inns I’m used to. This place was the real deal. So intimate, tranquil, and scenic especially when juxtaposed against the vast savannah grassland. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome from the staff who happily showed us to our cottage where we showered and slept for a few hours before breakfast. 

We woke up at 8:30 am, amply refreshed, and with daylight fully set we began to fully take notice of our surroundings. Our room was a charming little A-frame cottage decorated with a rustic African touch, making us feel like we were really at home. Did I mention that the bed was so comfortable that it was hard to resist sleeping in some more but eventually the craving for food and of course adventure, won?

Our day started with a colorful al-fresco breakfast at the restaurant’s deck as we enjoyed the views. We also chose the spot because we were secretly hoping to catch a glimpse or two of the residents in the lands yonder. The lodge’s staff had earlier intimated that it was a likely possibility…So let’s just say curiosity took over. 

While breakfast was overly delicious,  the view made it all the more so. Needless to say, we weren’t lucky with the animal sightings but that’s what game drives are there for right? After lunch, we set out to explore the beautiful lodge before retiring to our cozy cabin for an afternoon siesta as we awaited the evening game drive. 

Evening came and we set out on the game drive, which was the highlight of the trip for me considering I had never seen this much variety of animals on a single game drive. It was surreal! We saw everything from giraffes and elephants to gazelles and zebras. It was like being in a real-life version of The Lion King. But without the musical numbers, of course.

The only downside to the game drive was the dust. I had no idea how dusty it could get out there, good thing we were dressed for it. By the time we got back to the lodge, our clothes were covered in a fine layer of red dust. We looked like we had just crawled out of a quarry. A shower was imminent.

That evening, we had a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars. The food was amazing, the wait staff was ever so attentive and the ambiance was perfect! Once in a while, we would hear animal sounds from a distance. The Lion’s roars especially brought us the pleasant and undeniable reality of being in the middle of the African Savanna. You haven’t lived until you have heard Lion’s roar up close and personal. 

The next day after indulging in another hearty breakfast, the kind staff packed us our sandwich lunches and we went on a walking safari, which was a completely different experience from the game drive. We were on foot, walking through the savanna with our guide, who was armed with a rifle, just in case. We saw some incredible wildlife up close, including a herd of elephants. It was truly awe-inspiring.

After the safari, we retreated to our cottage for a wash down, which was a welcome relief from the heat we had been braving. We lounged on the cottage’s patio for a while, sipping on some refreshing drinks, and just enjoying each other’s company. It was the perfect way to end our weekend in the wilderness.

As we packed our bags and said goodbye to the lodge, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for this amazing experience. It wasn’t your typical romantic getaway, but it was one that we’ll never forget. We got to experience the beauty and wonder of this African continent together, which brought us closer than ever.

So, if you’re looking for a wild and romantic adventure, I highly recommend heading to Tsavo East National Park and staying at the Boma Simba Safari Lodge. Just don’t forget your insect repellent, sun protection, and a good pair of binoculars (If you have one). You never know what you might see out there in the African savanna jungle.