10 days (not including air travel)
For the adventure traveller with a love for the outdoors, Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks are the places to be. A holiday destination that guarantees you the most stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro can be experienced in no other place than Kenya. The Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Lake Manyara are great destinations for viewing African wildlife, from carnivores roaming the plains and herds of large herbivores such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and a host of other species of antelopes such as wildebeests, gazelles and impalas, among others.
Day 1: Tsavo West
Depart Nairobi at 0700 Hrs for a 4-5 hour drive to Tsavo West National Park. After lunch, we proceed for an afternoon game viewing drive and visit to the Rhino Sanctuary, a safe haven for the area’s black rhino. The sanctuary, although only open from 1600 Hrs to 1800 Hrs each day, provides a rare glimpse into the protected habitat of these animals that have been threatened by extinction since the 1980s due to overhunting.
Accommodation: Camping or guesthouse.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Tsavo West
Full day of game drives at Tsavo, Kenya’s largest park famous for its large herds of elephants. Wild animals will spice up your date with the Tsavo including elephants, Masai giraffes, lesser kudus, zebras, dik diks, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, among others. Tsavo West is also well known for its one-of-a-kind volcanic features, including ‘Five Sisters,’ the five cone-shaped hills nestled in one area and resembling one another. The Chaumu and Shetani lava flows are also major highlights, and we’ll pass Whistling Rock, the rocky hill that produces whistling sound when there are strong winds.
We will also visit the Mzima springs, a phenomenal fresh water body that gushes suddenly from underground rocks in the midst of dry patchy woodlands. From the safety of an underwater observation tank you will have the fantastic opportunity to see submerged hippo, crocodiles and fish on the floor of the springs. The word ‘mzima’ is Swahili for ‘life’ and this water feature draws its name from its role literally giving much-needed life in one of the most arid parks in Kenya.
We have the chance to take a break to return to the camp for lunch and spend an early afternoon at leisure before proceeding for further game viewing drives in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Camping or guesthouse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 3: Amboseli
Leave after breakfast and drive through dry shrub land, and across the great lava flow of Mt Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills, arriving at Amboseli National Park in time for lunch. After an afternoon rest, we have an evening game drive.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 4: Amboseli
Morning and afternoon game drives in the park. With its backdrop of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and abundant wildlife, Amboseli provides an unrivaled spectacle of Kenya’s natural beauty. Keep your eyes open and your camera within reach, as you can expect to see large herds of elephants and plains game, giraffes, gazelles, lions, leopards among others.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 5: Arusha
Morning game drive and departure with picnic lunch boxes, transfer through Namanga border post to Arusha.
Accommodation: Outpost Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 6: Lake Manyara
From Arusha, drive to Lake Manyara for game drives. Lots of game here including the famous tree-climbing lions.
Accommodation: Camp or lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Serengeti
Drive to Serengeti for game drives.
Accommodation: Camp or lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8: Serengeti
Full day of game drives in Serengeti. Explore the sprawling plains that host large herbivores like buffalo, elephant, giraffe and predators including lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. The great Serengeti plains extend into Kenya to form the Masai Mara and both parks are famous for the annual great wildebeest migration.
Accommodation: Camp or lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 9: Ngorongoro
Morning game drive at Serengeti before we drive to Ngorongoro crater rim.
Accommodation: Camp or lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 10: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Drive to Ngorongoro crater floor for game drive. After an exciting day of wildlife watching, we drive back to Arusha in late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch