Elephant Giants, Volcanic Wonders, Private Conservancy Wildlife & Red-Dust Plains – Ending at the Kenyan Coast
Trip Overview
This 5-day southern Kenya safari explores four diverse ecosystems, offering breathtaking landscapes and immersive wildlife encounters. Amboseli National Park is famed for its large elephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, with swamps, open plains, and acacia woodlands providing superb game viewing. Tsavo West National Park features volcanic hills, Shetani Lava Flows, Mzima Springs, riverine forests, and rocky kopjes supporting leopards and a rich diversity of wildlife. Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a private conservancy, offers elevated lodges overlooking waterholes, where elephants, lions, buffalo, and antelope congregate.
Finally, Tsavo East National Park showcases expansive red-dust savannahs, baobab-studded plains, and the Galana River, supporting elephants, lions, giraffes, and other iconic species. The safari concludes with a scenic road transfer to your chosen coastal destination, seamlessly combining adventure with relaxation.
Trip Highlights
- Iconic elephant herds in Amboseli with Kilimanjaro backdrop
- Volcanic formations, Mzima Springs, and hippos in Tsavo West
- Exclusive conservancy wildlife at Taita Hills
- Red-dust savannahs and baobab-studded plains in Tsavo East
- Intimate waterhole-based wildlife sightings
- Scenic contrasts from highlands to plains to coast
- Seamless safari-to-beach road transfer
Detailed Itinerary
1 night in Amboseli, 1 night in Tsavo West, 1 night at Taita Hills, and 1 night in Tsavo East, ending with a road transfer to Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Malindi, or Watamu. Witness elephants, lions, leopards, and diverse savannah wildlife across contrasting landscapes.
Distance: Approx. 240 km
Drive Time: 4 - 5 hours
07:30 - 08:00 | Pick-up in Nairobi
Your safari begins with collection from your hotel or airport in Nairobi. Meet your professional driver-guide for a briefing, and depart south through Maasai country with views of traditional villages and farmland.
08:00 - 12:30 | Scenic Drive to Amboseli
Enjoy the gradual appearance of Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon, with open plains, wetlands, and acacia woodland along the way. Look out for grazing zebras and antelope along roadside grasslands.
13:00 - 14:00 | Arrival and Lunch at Lodge
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Take in your first expansive views of Amboseli’s plains and distant mountains.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Depart for your first afternoon game drive. The park’s swampy channels attract large elephant herds, while lions rest under acacias. You may see cheetahs stalking in the grass, buffalo grazing, and giraffes browsing. Hippos wallow in waterholes, and a rich variety of birds, including pelicans and secretary birds, adds colour to the plains.
Wildlife: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, spotted hyenas, warthogs, antelopes
Scenery: Open plains, swampy channels, acacia woodland, Kilimanjaro backdrop
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight stay at your chosen accommodation inside or just outside the park as per the options below.
Option 1 : Budget | Amboseli Mountain View Camp | Manjaro Tented Camp | Nyati Safari Camp
Option 2 : Standard | Little Amanya Camp | Penety Amboseli Resort | Olemayian Amboseli Cottages
Option 3 : Luxury | AA Lodge | Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Amboseli | Kibo Safari Camp | Kilima Safari Camp
Option 4 : Above Luxury | Oltukai Lodge | Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp
Distance: Approx. 110 km
Drive Time: 3 - 4 hours
06:30 - 08:30 | Sunrise Game Drive in Amboseli
Depart early to catch the elephants and predators in the soft morning light. Enjoy panoramic photography with Kilimanjaro silhouetted behind grazing herds.
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast at Lodge
Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast overlooking the plains.
10:00 - 13:00 | Drive to Tsavo West
Travel through volcanic hills and acacia woodland towards Tsavo West. Observe seasonal rivers, rocky outcrops, and scattered wildlife along the way.
13:00 - 14:00 | Arrival and Lunch at Lodge
Check in and enjoy lunch amidst bushland surroundings.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Shetani Lava Flow and Mzima Springs. Observe hippos and crocodiles in the clear waters, while elephants and buffalo roam the woodlands. Predators such as lions and leopards may be spotted on rocky kopjes, with abundant birdlife including kingfishers and hornbills.
Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, crocodiles
Scenery: Volcanic hills, Shetani Lava Flow, Mzima Springs, riverine forests, rocky kopjes
Return to the lodge before sunset.
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight at your selected accommodation at the options given below.
Option 1: Budget | Tsavo Inn Lodge
Option 2: Standard | Ngulia Safari Lodge
Option 3: Luxury | Voyager Ziwani Camp | Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge | Severin Safari Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost):
-Guided nature walk
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 120 km
Drive Time: 3 - 4 hours
07:00 - 08:00 | Breakfast at Lodge
Enjoy breakfast with views of the surrounding hills and plains before departure.
08:00 - 11:30 | Scenic Drive to Taita Hills
Travel through rolling hills, farmland, and acacia woodland to the private conservancy. Enjoy scenic vistas of valleys and escarpments.
12:00 - 13:00 | Arrival and Lunch at Lodge
Check in at your elevated lodge overlooking waterholes, and enjoy a relaxing lunch.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Depart to explore the sanctuary. Wildlife congregates around waterholes, including elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and warthogs. Occasionally, leopards are seen resting in trees. Birdlife is abundant, including fish eagles and hornbills.
Wildlife: Elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, warthogs, occasional leopards, rich birdlife
Scenery: Elevated lodges, waterhole views, valleys, and ridges providing intimate photographic opportunities
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
Optional Activities at Extra Cost:
-Night game drive within the sanctuary
-Guided nature walk
-Sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 90 km
Drive Time: 2 - 3 hours
07:00 - 08:00 | Breakfast at Lodge
Enjoy breakfast overlooking the waterholes before your final morning in Taita Hills.
08:00 - 11:00 | Drive to Tsavo East
Journey through semi-arid hills and plains. Watch as the landscape transforms into the red-dust savannah and baobab-studded plains of Tsavo East.
12:00 - 13:00 | Arrival and Lunch at Lodge
Check in and enjoy lunch with expansive savannah views.
15:30 - 18:30 | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore the open plains and Galana River corridor. Elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes roam the red-dust savannah. Large baobabs punctuate the landscape, offering iconic photography. Crocodiles and hippos can be seen along waterholes and riverbanks.
Wildlife: Elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, rich birdlife
Scenery: Red-dust plains, baobab trees, Galana River, termite mounds, and open savannah
19:30 - 21:00 | Dinner and Overnight
Optional Activities (At Extra Cost):
-Guided nature walk
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 160 - 300 km (depending on destination)
Drive Time: 3 - 6 hours
06:30 - 08:00 | Early Morning Game Drive
Depart at sunrise for your final safari drive. Observe wildlife active in the cooler morning, including elephants, lions, and buffalo.
08:00 - 09:00 | Breakfast and Check-Out
Breakfast at the lodge with last views of the savannah before your road transfer.
09:00 - 14:00 | Road Transfer to Coast
Travel to Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Malindi, or Watamu. Scenic landscapes gradually transition from red-dust plains to lush coastal vegetation.
Arrival and Drop-off: Pre-booked coastal hotel or residence, marking the end of your safari adventure.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park and conservancy entrance fees
- 4 nights accommodation
- Meals as per itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during drives
- Road transfer to your coastal hotel
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities listed above
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Expect elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and over 400 bird species across the four parks and conservancy.
Amboseli and Tsavo East are known for large elephant herds, making sightings highly likely. Taita Hills also provides close waterhole encounters.
Yes. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas are commonly spotted in Amboseli, Tsavo West, Taita Hills, and Tsavo East.
It is a private conservancy with waterhole-focused wildlife viewing, offering an intimate safari experience and excellent photography opportunities.
Yes. Kilimanjaro in the backdrop, Shetani Lava Flow, Mzima Springs, Taita Hills waterholes, and red-dust plains of Tsavo East provide iconic safari photography settings.
Lightweight neutral clothing, warm jacket for mornings and evenings, walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, binoculars, and soft-sided luggage.
Yes. Conducted by professional guides in enclosed 4×4 vehicles in Taita Hills.
Yes. This safari is suitable for families with children under guidance of professional drivers.
Absolutely. The itinerary balances wildlife viewing, scenery, and comfort.
Hot air balloon rides (where applicable), night drives, guided walks, sundowners, and Maasai cultural visits.
