Destination: Amboseli National Park Tsavo West National Park
Elephant country beneath Kilimanjaro, then the wide wilderness of Tsavo.
The journey
Combine the open landscapes of Amboseli with the varied wilderness of Tsavo on a multi-day safari through two distinctive Kenyan safari regions.
In more detail
Amboseli and Tsavo feel like different chapters of the same story. Amboseli is open and dramatic: flat plains, seasonal swamps and, when the cloud lifts, the great bulk of Mount Kilimanjaro rising across the border in Tanzania. Tsavo is wilder and more varied, a vast region of bush, volcanic hills and river country that rewards slower travel. Over five days and four nights this safari links the two, giving you time in each rather than a quick glimpse of both.
Amboseli National Park is well known for its elephants, which gather around the swamps and waterholes that draw wildlife from the dry surrounding plains. The open ground makes it a rewarding place for photography, and the birdlife around the wetlands is varied. Views of the mountain depend on weather and visibility. They are often clearer in the early morning and late afternoon, but cloud can hide the summit for days, so treat any view as a welcome bonus rather than something to expect. Read more on the Amboseli destination page.
Tsavo is divided into two parks, and they have distinct characters. Tsavo West is generally hillier and more varied, with volcanic landscapes, rocky outcrops and denser bush, while Tsavo East is flatter and more open. The sample itinerary below uses Tsavo West. The final itinerary must state which Tsavo park is included and confirm the route and transport arrangements. Our pages on Tsavo West and Tsavo East explain how the two differ.
This is a road safari. Days one, three and five include substantial travel, balanced by two days with game drives at the heart of the programme. Journey times depend on road conditions and stops, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The trip suits travellers who have five days and want variety, including first-time visitors who would like more than one landscape, photographers, and families with older children who are comfortable with long drives. If this is your first safari, our first-time planning guide is a good place to start.
You stay in a lodge or tented camp near each park, confirmed in your written quotation; no property is reserved until that quotation is accepted. The starting price shown is illustrative and is not a confirmed offer. The final cost depends on:
To shape the trip around your dates and interests, start planning here or contact our team.
At a glance
Day by day
Meet at the confirmed departure location and travel to Amboseli, with planned stops along the way. Check in at the selected accommodation and settle in, with lunch where included. If an afternoon game drive is part of the final package and conditions allow, set out as the heat of the day eases and the light turns golden over the plains. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at the lodge or camp.
Spend the day exploring the park through the agreed game-drive schedule. The open landscape is a fine setting for wildlife viewing and for landscape photography, with swamps and waterholes that draw animals and birds. Views of Mount Kilimanjaro depend on weather and visibility, and may be clearest early or late in the day. Meals are taken at the accommodation or in the field according to the confirmed arrangement.
Depart Amboseli after breakfast and travel to the selected Tsavo accommodation. The final itinerary must specify which Tsavo park is included and confirm the route and transport arrangements; this sample uses Tsavo West. An afternoon activity, such as a short game drive, is included only if it is operationally feasible once the journey is complete. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge or camp.
Enjoy guided wildlife viewing and time to take in the landscape, which in Tsavo West can include volcanic hills, rocky outcrops and thick bush. The actual activities depend on the selected park, the accommodation location and the agreed schedule. Where visitor facilities and park rules allow, the day may include stops at viewpoints and natural features. Return to the lodge or camp for dinner and the night, with meals where included in the confirmed package.
Have breakfast where included, check out and begin the return journey to the agreed destination. Confirmed drop-off arrangements are provided in the final itinerary, and travel times depend on the route, road conditions and stops along the way. We recommend keeping any onward plans for the same day flexible, so that the end of the safari does not feel rushed.
The details
Before you go
Four nights in lodges or tented camps, two near Amboseli and two near the selected Tsavo park, chosen to suit your group. Room configuration, bedding and facilities are confirmed in the written quotation. No property is reserved until a quotation has been accepted.
Road transport with a driver-guide in a safari vehicle for transfers and game drives, as described in the confirmed quotation. The final itinerary specifies the route, the Tsavo park included and the drop-off arrangements. Journey times depend on road conditions and stops.
Meet at the confirmed departure location, normally in Nairobi, at a time set out in your quotation. The exact place and time are agreed when the itinerary and transport are confirmed and are reconfirmed before departure.
This is a sample itinerary and the price shown is an illustrative starting price per person, not a confirmed offer. Prices, inclusions, accommodation and dates are confirmed in a written quotation before anything is booked. The final itinerary states which Tsavo park is included. Views of Mount Kilimanjaro depend on weather and visibility, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Travel times depend on road conditions.
Pricing and booking terms
Starting price Illustrative
KES 95,000 per person
Illustrative starting price per person, confirmed before booking. The final price depends on group size, season, lodges and transport.
Check what is and is not included before comparing prices.
Read our cancellation policy for how changes and cancellations are handled.
Questions
Views of Kilimanjaro depend on weather and visibility and cannot be guaranteed. The summit is often clearer in the early morning and late in the day, but cloud can cover it for long periods. Whatever the sky does, the open Amboseli landscape, its wildlife and its birdlife make the days worthwhile, and your driver-guide will make the most of any clear moments.
The sample itinerary uses Tsavo West, which is generally hillier and more varied than Tsavo East. The final itinerary states which Tsavo park is included and confirms the route and transport arrangements, so please tell us if you have a preference when you enquire. Both parks have their own character, and we can explain the differences.
This is a road safari, with longer travel on the first, third and fifth days and two days that centre on game drives. Journey times depend on the route, road conditions and stops, so your confirmed itinerary will set out realistic timings. If long drives are a concern for your group, ask us about alternative pacing.
The sample itinerary uses a lodge or tented camp near each park. Properties differ in size, style and facilities, and the choice affects the final price. The accommodation is named in your written quotation, and no property is treated as reserved until that quotation has been accepted and confirmed.
Yes, a private safari can be requested on enquiry, with your own vehicle and driver-guide. Private arrangements change the pricing basis and may allow more flexibility with timings. Share your dates, group size and preferences through the trip planning form or the contact page and we will respond with a written quotation.
Something else on your mind? Ask us about this tour.
Keep exploring
Other itineraries that share a destination, category or travel style with this one.
Spend three memorable days in the Maasai Mara, with guided game drives, wide-open savannah landscapes and time to experience the atmosphere of Kenya's famous safari country.
Combine a Kenyan wildlife experience with a coastal stay for a varied holiday that balances safari adventure with time beside the Indian Ocean.
Experience the landscapes of the Rift Valley with a nature-focused escape combining Lake Naivasha and the outdoor scenery of Hell's Gate.
Tours you looked at on this device.
Before you travel
Six decisions, taken in a sensible order, turn a vague idea of a safari into a plan: who is travelling, which region, how many nights, how you travel, what to expect and when to book.
Kenya has no single best month. This guide explains the general pattern of dry and rainy seasons, what each means for wildlife, the coast and the mountain, and how to choose dates with open eyes.
Pack for the cold, dusty hour before breakfast rather than the warm afternoon. A practical checklist covering bags, clothing, footwear, sun and insect protection, kit, documents, and what to leave at home.
Something different
If this itinerary is close but not quite right, tell us what you would change. Share your dates, the pace you prefer and who is travelling, and we will take it from there.
