Accommodation Options:
- Ol Tukai Lodge – Amboseli: These lodges offer excellent facilities, with spacious rooms, stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and easy access to game drives.
- Ashnil Aruba Lodge – Tsavo East: A comfortable lodge with views over the Aruba Dam, offering both relaxation and great game viewing opportunities.
Your safari begins with a pick-up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi). You will travel in an air-conditioned safari vehicle for approximately 4 to 5 hours to Amboseli National Park, located at the base of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Along the way, your guide will provide insightful commentary about Kenya’s geography, culture, and wildlife.
Upon arrival at Amboseli National Park, you’ll check in at your lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, which offers excellent comfort and great views of Mount Kilimanjaro. You’ll have time to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch at the lodge.
In the late afternoon, you’ll embark on your first game drive. Amboseli is famous for its large herds of African elephants, and you’ll likely see them up close as they traverse the open plains. The park’s unique landscape, with expansive savannahs, swampy areas, and the iconic Kilimanjaro backdrop, makes for some spectacular safari photography. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of bird species. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy the lodge’s peaceful surroundings. Afterward, you may wish to relax under the stars and reflect on your first day of the safari
Start your second day with an early breakfast and head out for a morning game drive. The cool morning hours are prime for spotting wildlife, especially the predators, as they are more active during this time. In addition to elephants, you may encounter lions, hyenas, and possibly even the elusive leopard.
Amboseli’s diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, swamps, and savannah, attract a range of species, so the morning drive offers great opportunities for sightings. Your guide will also provide fascinating insights into the park’s ecosystem and conservation efforts.
After the morning game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have time to relax and unwind, perhaps enjoying the lodge’s pool or viewing areas.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out for a second game drive to explore other parts of the park. This could include a visit to Observation Hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Amboseli, the vast plains, and Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. This spot is a great place for photographs and birdwatching.In the evening, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before preparing for your next destination: Tsavo East
After breakfast at your lodge, you’ll check out and begin your drive towards Tsavo East National Park, which is about a 4-hour drive from Amboseli. On the way, you will pass through picturesque landscapes, including rural villages, farmlands, and the rolling hills of southern Kenya.
Upon arrival at Ashnil Aruba Lodge, you will check in and enjoy a delicious lunch. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Aruba Dam, a popular watering hole for wildlife. The lodge offers beautiful views of the surrounding bush, and it’s an excellent location for game viewing. After lunch, you’ll embark on your first afternoon game drive in Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo is known for its striking red-dust terrain, large elephant herds, and diverse wildlife. Your guide will take you through various parts of the park, and you’ll have a chance to see the famous “maneless lions” of Tsavo, as well as giraffes, zebras, buffalo, gazelles, and a variety of birdlife.As the sun sets, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner. Enjoy the lodge's cozy dining area and its stunning views of the dam, where wildlife often gathers in the evening. After dinner, relax and reflect on your exciting day in the park.
Start your day early with breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive in Tsavo East National Park. The park is vast, with several distinct habitats, including open savannah, riverine forests, and rocky outcrops. Your guide will tailor the day’s game drives to ensure you visit the best wildlife hotspots, depending on what you want to see.
During the morning game drive, you'll visit the Aruba Dam, a popular area for wildlife sightings, including elephants, buffaloes, and various water birds. Tsavo East is also famous for its Mzima Springs, where you can take a detour to see the natural spring pools surrounded by lush vegetation. This area is perfect for birdwatching and can offer a respite from the heat of the park.
You will return to Ashnil Aruba Lodge for lunch and relax in the afternoon. You may wish to take a swim in the lodge's pool or enjoy the views of the dam and surrounding bush.
In the late afternoon, your guide will take you on another game drive, focusing on different parts of the park to maximize wildlife sightings. This time, you may explore areas that are home to predators like lions and cheetahs or visit areas known for their stunning landscapes, such as Yatta Plateau—the longest lava flow in the world.
After a full day of wildlife viewing, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner. Relax by the campfire in the evening and share stories of your safari adventures.
On your final day, you'll wake up early for a morning game drive in Tsavo East. The morning hours are often the best time to see predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, as well as elephants and other herbivores feeding in the cool early morning.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by check-out. As you drive back to Nairobi, you’ll have the opportunity to stop along the way for scenic breaks, photos, or a light lunch.
Your safari guide will ensure a smooth return, and you should arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, where you’ll be dropped off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your unforgettable 5-day safari to a close.