5-Day Amboseli and Tsavo West Luxury Safari

4-5 Hour Drive · Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Your safari adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your Nairobi hotel or the airport. As you leave the busy city behind, you’ll drive south towards Amboseli National Park, a journey of about 4-5 hours. The drive itself is an experience, offering glimpses into rural Kenyan life as you pass through small towns and villages.

As you approach Amboseli, the scenery becomes increasingly arid, punctuated by the occasional acacia tree. And then, if the weather is clear, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro looming on the horizon, a sight that never fails to take one’s breath away.

You’ll arrive at your camp in time for lunch. This eco-friendly camp is set on the southwestern edge of the park, offering some of the finest views of Kilimanjaro. The camp consists of spacious tented suites, each handcrafted and decorated in stylish safari style. After lunch, take some time to settle in and perhaps enjoy a siesta during the heat of the day.

In the late afternoon, set out on your first game drive. Amboseli is renowned for its elephant population, and it’s not uncommon to see large herds crossing the dusty plains, their shapes silhouetted against Kilimanjaro. Your expert guide will help you spot and identify various wildlife, from graceful giraffes to stalking lions.

Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, or equivalent.

Full Day in Amboseli · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up early to the sounds of the bush coming alive. If you’re an early riser, you might catch the sunrise over Kilimanjaro from your private veranda, a truly magical sight. After a light breakfast, head out for a morning game drive when the animals are most active.

Amboseli’s habitat is special, fed by underground springs from Kilimanjaro’s melting snow. This creates a series of marshes and plains that attract a rich variety of wildlife. Besides the famous elephants, you might spot lions basking in the morning sun, cheetahs scanning the plains for prey, or hundreds of pink flamingos feeding in the shallow lakes.

Mid-morning, you’ll stop at a scenic spot for a bush breakfast, complete with hot coffee and freshly made pancakes. Continue your game drive, visiting different areas of the park. Your guide will share insights about the habitat, the wildlife, and the Maasai people who have lived alongside these animals for centuries.

Return to camp for lunch and some relaxation time. You might want to take a dip in the pool, enjoy a massage, or simply relax on your veranda with a good book.

In the afternoon, visit the Observation Hill, which offers panoramic views of the entire park. From here, you can see the network of swamps and plains that make Amboseli such a haven for wildlife. As the day cools, animals become more active again, offering excellent viewing opportunities.

Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, or equivalent.

3-4 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, bid farewell to Amboseli and begin your journey to Tsavo West National Park. The drive takes about 3-4 hours, but it’s a fascinating one. You’ll pass through local villages and changing scenery, offering a glimpse into rural Kenyan life.

As you enter Tsavo West, you’ll notice a dramatic change in scenery. Unlike Amboseli’s open plains, Tsavo West is a land of volcanic hills, natural springs, and dense bush. This varied scenery supports an incredible diversity of wildlife.

You’ll arrive at Salt Lick Safari Lodge, your luxury lodge for the next two nights, in time for lunch. Salt Lick Safari Lodge offers special wildlife viewing from raised rooms on stilts. Its waterhole attracts animals, especially elephants, providing immersive safari experiences near Tsavo West National Park.

After lunch and some time to settle in, set out for an afternoon game drive. Tsavo West is home to all of the Big Five, but it’s particularly known for its ‘red elephants’. These elephants appear red due to the rich terracotta-colored soil they dust themselves with.

Your guide will take you through the rugged terrain, pointing out wildlife and explaining the special aspects of Tsavo’s habitat. Keep an eye out for lesser kudus, with their distinctive white stripes, or perhaps the graceful gerenuk antelope, known for its ability to stand on its hind legs to browse high branches. Afterwards, return to camp for a gourmet dinner, perhaps followed by stargazing around the campfire.

Dinner and overnight stay at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

Full Day in Tsavo West · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise early for a dawn game drive, often the best time to spot predators. You might see a pride of lions returning from a night hunt or a leopard lounging in a tree with its kill. Return to camp for a late breakfast on the terrace, overlooking the springs where hippos and crocodiles often bask.

Spend the middle of the day at leisure. The lodge offers a range of activities. You might want to relax by the infinity pool, enjoy a spa treatment, or participate in a cooking class to learn about Kenyan cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit the famous Mzima Springs. These natural springs produce an incredible 250 million liters of fresh water a day, creating an oasis in the arid park. An underwater viewing chamber allows you to observe hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat, a special and thrilling experience.

Continue your game drive, exploring different areas of the park. Tsavo West’s varying scenery, from open grasslands to rocky outcrops, support a wide range of wildlife. Your guide will help you spot and identify various species, from the tiny dik-dik antelope to the majestic African elephant.

As the day cools, head to Shetani Lava Flow for your sundowner. This vast expanse of folded black lava, the result of volcanic activity about 200 years ago, offers a dramatic backdrop for sunset drinks. Your guide will explain the geological history of the area and its significance to local communities.

Dinner and overnight stay at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

5-6 Hour Drive · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

On your final morning, you have the option of a last game drive or a leisurely breakfast at camp. If you choose the game drive, it’s a chance to tick off any wildlife you might have missed or to simply soak in the beauty of the African bush one last time.

After breakfast, begin the journey back to Nairobi. The drive takes about 5-6 hours, but it offers a last chance to see the changing Kenyan scenery. Your guide will be happy to stop at points of interest along the way.

You’ll arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport for your onward journey.