Itinerary

1. Day 1: Nairobi to the Land of Giants by Road

   • Morning: Depart Nairobi by private 4x4 safari vehicle after breakfast.
   • The journey south is a safari in itself, traversing Maasai heartland with scattered homesteads and herds of goats and cattle.
   • Watch as the landscape shifts, revealing the vast, shimmering expanse of the dried Amboseli lake bed in the distance, with the breathtaking, cloud-wreathed peak of Mount Kilimanjaro dominating the horizon.
   • Afternoon: Enter Amboseli National Park, your guide sharing the lore of the land.
   • Check into Nyati Camp before heading straight out on your first game drive.
   • Your guide, steeped in elephant knowledge, takes you to the palm-dotted woodlands and grassy plains.
   • Witness your first encounter with a breeding herd moving with unhurried grace.
   • Watch calves trot to keep up, bulls pulling at branches, and learn to identify the unique ear patterns that make each giant an individual.
   • Evening: Return to camp for sundowners, watching the alpenglow light up Kilimanjaro’s snowy peak.
   • Hear the deep rumbles of elephants carry across the plains, your soundtrack for the evening.
   • Dine under a blanket of stars, listening to stories of the park's most famous residents.

2. Day 2: A Day in the Swamps & On the Ancient Lake Bed

   • Morning: After an early breakfast, set out at dawn for the Enkongo Narok Swamps.
   • This is the lush, green theatre of elephant life.
   • Arrive as the morning light filters through the dust.
   • Spend hours observing families bathing, feeding, and socializing in the life-giving water.
   • See matriarchs guiding their young and watch bulls in the deeper channels, "snorkeling" for choice vegetation.
   • Afternoon: Return to camp for lunch and a short rest.
   • In the afternoon, your vehicle tackles the tracks leading onto the vast, cracked pan of the Ancient Lake Bed.
   • Here, the sheer scale of Amboseli is laid bare.
   • In this surreal, open landscape, follow herds as they trek across the blinding white earth, their silhouettes creating perfect portraits against the towering mountain.
   • Evening:
   • Your final stop is the active mud wallows near the swamp edge.
   • Witness the joyous, tactile play of calves and the social bonding of the herd as they coat themselves in cool mud.
   • Return to camp as the sun dips low, for a sundowner reflecting on a day spent in the intimate company of giants.

3. Day 3: Tracking the Bulls & The Cycle of Life

   • Morning: With a picnic breakfast, embark on a full morning exploration.
   • Today, focus on the ecology of the bull.
   • Drive through acacia woodlands and open grasslands, tracking the signs of mature males.
   • Your guide explains the solitary life of bulls, their journeys, and their vital role in the gene pool.
   • Visit a seasonal lake to see them drinking, and discuss the legacy of iconic bulls like Craig who shaped this landscape.
   • Afternoon: Return to camp for lunch and relaxation.
   • Later, venture out for a final, comprehensive drive.
   • Revisit the swamps for a last look at family dynamics, then explore different woodland corridors.
   • Your guide will use radio contact and expert tracking to seek out a special encounter—perhaps a large bull in musth or a playful newborn calf finding its feet.
   • Evening: Enjoy a special farewell bush dinner set in a secluded location (weather permitting).
   • Be surrounded by the sounds of the night and the distant echoes of the herd.
   • Celebrate your final, immersive moments in elephant country.

4. Day 4: Dawn Patrol & Return to Nairobi by Road

   • Morning: Enjoy an early morning game drive, following fresh tracks in the cool air.
   • Take a final, quiet moment with a herd at the swamp's edge or a solitary bull under an acacia tree.
   • Return to camp for a hearty breakfast.
   • Late Morning: Begin your scenic return journey by road to Nairobi.
   • Reflect on the profound encounters of the last three days—the gentle intelligence, the complex society, and the enduring spirit of Amboseli’s elephants.
   • Afternoon: Arrive in Nairobi, where services conclude.
   • Optional airport transfer or overnight stay can be arranged at your request.