Red-earth wilderness, elevated waterhole luxury, Kilimanjaro’s grandeur and the untamed drama of the Maasai Mara – a seamless journey through Kenya’s most iconic safari landscapes.
Overview
This six-day safari is a richly immersive and visually dynamic journey that begins along Kenya’s tropical coastline and unfolds into a multi-layered exploration of some of the country’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, including Tsavo East National Park, the exclusive Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge), Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve.
This itinerary is carefully designed to deliver maximum contrast and continuous engagement – from the vast red-dust plains of Tsavo East, to the intimate, elevated wildlife encounters at Salt Lick, onward to the sweeping elephant plains beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, then into the cool, wildlife-rich Rift Valley before culminating in the predator-dense savannah of the Maasai Mara.
Each destination introduces a new rhythm and atmosphere, ensuring the journey remains fresh, exciting and deeply rewarding throughout. This is not simply a safari – it is a carefully orchestrated progression through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife experiences.
Trip Highlights
- Expansive red-earth wilderness and big game viewing in Tsavo East
- Elevated waterhole wildlife viewing at Salt Lick Safari Lodge
- Exclusive conservancy experience in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
- Elephant encounters beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
- Flamingos, rhinos and scenic beauty at Lake Nakuru
- Big Five and predator-rich game drives in Maasai Mara
Itinerary
This six-day safari unfolds as a progressive inland journey, where each destination builds upon the last - introducing new landscapes, wildlife encounters and experiences while maintaining a seamless and engaging flow from start to finish.
Distance: Approx. 200 - 300 km
Drive Time: Approx. 4 - 6 hours
05:30 a.m. - 07:00 a.m. | Pickup from Coastal Hotel
Your safari begins before sunrise along the Kenyan coast, where the calm of the Indian Ocean slowly gives way to the anticipation of the journey ahead.
As you travel inland, the landscape transitions from palm-lined shores to open plains, scattered villages and dry savannah, offering a gradual introduction to Kenya’s interior wilderness.
Upon entering Tsavo East National Park, the scale of the landscape becomes immediately apparent - vast, untamed and strikingly beautiful. The red earth contrasts sharply with the blue sky, and your first game drive begins en route to your lodge.
Wildlife sightings often begin almost instantly and may include:
-Large herds of red elephants dusted in iron-rich soil
-Lions resting beneath acacia trees
-Giraffes moving gracefully across the plains
-Zebras, buffalo and various antelope species
-Cheetahs scanning the horizon
12:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch overlooking the sweeping savannah. The open landscape allows for distant wildlife sightings even as you dine, creating a sense of constant connection to the wilderness.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Head out for an afternoon exploration of Tsavo East as the golden light transforms the landscape.
The Galana River becomes a focal point of activity, attracting elephants, crocodiles and birdlife. As the day cools, wildlife becomes more active - creating excellent opportunities for photography and observation.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge as the sun sets in dramatic hues across the plains. Dinner is served in a relaxed setting, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild. Enjoy overnight stay at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Lion Hill Lodge | Boma Simba Lodge | Impala Safari Lodge | Tausa Tsavo Eco Lodge | Two Oceans Hotel | Afrika Lodges Voi
Option 2: Standard |Voi Safari Lodge | Sentrim Tsavo Lodge | Man Eaters Camp
Option 3: Luxury |Ngutuni Lodge | Voi Wildlife Lodge | Ashnil Aruba Lodge | Manyatta Camp Tsavo
Option 4 : Above Luxury |Satao Camp | Galdessa Camp Tsavo | Kiboko River Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost)
-Sundowner overlooking the Tsavo plains
-Guided nature walk in conservancy areas
Distance: Approx. 110 km
Drive Time: Approx. 2 - 3 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast as the early morning light reveals Tsavo East in its most peaceful state, with wildlife already active across the plains.
08:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Scenic Drive to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Depart Tsavo East and journey towards the private Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The transition into this exclusive conservancy is immediately noticeable - greener, more intimate and less crowded, offering a more personalised safari experience.
12:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch at Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Arrive at the iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge, uniquely built on stilts overlooking active waterholes.
As you enjoy lunch, elephants, antelope and other wildlife often gather just metres below, creating one of the most unique and intimate wildlife viewing experiences in Kenya.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive in Taita Hills Sanctuary
Explore the sanctuary on an afternoon game drive, where fewer vehicles allow for more relaxed and uninterrupted wildlife encounters.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Elephants and buffalo
-Lions and occasional leopards
-Giraffes, zebras and antelope
-Elands and waterbucks
Evening | Dinner and Overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge
As darkness falls, the waterholes are illuminated, drawing wildlife into view.
From the lodge’s elevated decks, you can observe animals gathering in complete safety and comfort - a truly unforgettable experience. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost)
-Night game drive within the sanctuary
-Guided nature walk
Distance: Approx. 160 km
Drive Time: Approx. 3 - 4 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast while watching early morning wildlife activity around the waterholes below.
08:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Scenic Transfer to Amboseli
Depart Taita Hills and journey towards Amboseli National Park.
As you approach, Mount Kilimanjaro gradually reveals itself, rising majestically above the plains and setting the tone for the next phase of your safari.
01:00 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy lunch with panoramic views across Amboseli’s open plains.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Amboseli’s iconic landscapes, where dry plains meet lush wetlands fed by underground springs.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-Large elephant herds with impressive tusks
-Lions and hyenas
-Buffalo, zebras and wildebeests
-Giraffes and birdlife around swamps
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to your lodge as Kilimanjaro glows in the evening light, creating one of Africa’s most iconic safari backdrops. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation of your choice from 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
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost)
-Maasai cultural village visit
-Private sundowner experience
Distance: Approx. 350 - 400 km
Drive Time: Approx. 7 - 8 hours
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with final views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the early morning light.
08:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Scenic Journey via Nairobi into the Great Rift Valley
Travel north through Nairobi before descending into the Great Rift Valley, where dramatic escarpments and expansive landscapes unfold before you.
01:30 p.m. | Arrival and Lunch
Arrive at your lodge near Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy lunch overlooking the surrounding landscapes.
03:30 p.m. - 06:30 p.m. | Afternoon Game Drive
Explore Lake Nakuru’s rich ecosystems, known for both wildlife and scenic beauty.
Wildlife commonly observed includes:
-White and black rhinos
-Flamingos and pelicans
-Lions and leopards
-Buffalo and Rothschild giraffes
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Dinner and overnight in the cool and tranquil Rift Valley setting at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1 : Standard | Lake Nakuru Lodge | Flamingo Hill Camp
Option 2 : Luxury | Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge | Sarova Lion Hill
Option 3 : Above Luxury | The Cliff, Nakuru,
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost)
-Guided bird watching excursion
-Nature walk within lodge grounds
06:30 a.m. - 07:30 a.m. | Breakfast
Begin your day early as the savannah comes alive with activity, setting the stage for a full day of exploration.
08:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m. | Full Day Game Drive with Picnic Lunch
Spend the day exploring the vast plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich ecosystems.
The open terrain allows for exceptional visibility, making it ideal for tracking predators and observing wildlife behaviour.
Visit the Mara River, home to crocodiles and hippos, and a dramatic crossing point during the Great Migration season.
A picnic lunch is served within the reserve, ensuring uninterrupted immersion in the wilderness.
Evening | Dinner and Overnight
Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay at the accommodation of your choice from the options below.
Option 1: Budget | Rhino Tourist Camp | Lenchada Tourist Camp | Mara Ntulele Camp | Enchoro Wildlife Camp | Sunset Camp Masai Mara | Greenwood Safari Camp
Option 2: Standard | Jambo Mara Safari Lodge | Aruba Mara Camp | Osero Camp | Enkorok Mara Camp | Simba + Oryx Nature Camp
Option 3: Luxury | Mara Sopa Lodge | Sentrim Maasai Mara | AA Lodge | Sekenani Camp
Option 4: Above Luxury | Sarova Mara Game Camp | Ashnil Mara Camp | Muthu Keekorok Lodge | Mara Serena Safari Lodge | Mara Simba Lodge | Fig Tree Camp
Optional Activities (at Extra Cost)
-Hot air balloon safari (subject to availability)
-Maasai village cultural visit
Inclusions / Exclusions
Package includes
- Transport in a 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park and conservancy entrance fees for Tsavo East, Taita Hills Sanctuary, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- All meals as per itinerary
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Bottled mineral water during game drives
- Government taxes and levies
Excludes
- International flights
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Optional activities
- Lunch on Day 6 (unless specified)
- Tips and gratuities (optional but appreciated)
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Red elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and a variety of antelope species are commonly seen.
Yes, both Tsavo East and Amboseli are known for large elephant populations and close encounters.
It is built on stilts overlooking active waterholes, allowing guests to observe wildlife from above at extremely close range, including at night when the waterholes are floodlit.
Yes, night game drives are possible at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary at an additional cost.
July to October is ideal for the Great Migration, but the park offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round.
It is smaller but densely populated with wildlife, particularly rhinos and birdlife, making sightings more frequent.
Yes, it offers a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife, from close-up elephant encounters to expansive savannah scenes.
Light neutral clothing, a warm layer for early mornings, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.
