Kenya · Safari

7-Day Kenya Safari through Chyulu Hills, Taita Hills and Tsavo East

7 Days Round trip from Nairobi Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Sleep under star-filled skies during fly camping in the Chyulu Hills
02 Climb Lion Rock for panoramic views in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
03 Enjoy crowd-free game drives in a private wildlife sanctuary
04 Witness red elephants and dramatic landscapes in Tsavo East National Park

Explore Kenya's wild southern landscapes on a seven-day safari through Chyulu Hills, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tsavo East National Park. Experience fly camping beneath star-filled skies, guided walks in volcanic hills, and intimate game drives in private reserves. Track red elephants, lions, and diverse wildlife across vast savannahs, rivers, and ancient rock formations. This journey blends dramatic scenery, uncrowded wildlife viewing, and classic safari experiences across Kenya's most contrasting ecosystems.

Explore Kenya's wild southern landscapes on a seven-day safari through Chyulu Hills, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tsavo East National Park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Budget

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Nairobi, Voi, Tsavo East National Park, Taita Hills, Chyulu Hills

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Chyulu Hills and Fly Camp Under the Stars

Morning: Depart Nairobi, leaving the city's bustle for the sweeping vistas of the Great Rift Valley. Your journey south traverses Maasai land, with herds of cattle and distant acacia trees dotting the plains, until the undulating, forested silhouette of the Chyulu Hills rises on the horizon.
Afternoon: Arrive at your base camp on the slopes of these "Green Hills of Africa." After a briefing, embark on an afternoon walk with your guide. Traverse grasslands and pockets of montane forest, learning how life tenaciously reclaims the ancient lava flows. Watch for eland, bushbuck, and the rich birdlife.
Evening: Arrive at your exclusive fly camp as the sun sets, setting the sky ablaze behind the hills. Your temporary home is a serene cocoon of comfort in the wild. Enjoy a sundowner followed by a delicious bush dinner under a breathtaking canopy of stars, lulled by the sounds of the wilderness.

Day 02

Chyulu Hills to Taita Hills and Lion Rock

Pre-dawn (Optional): Wake early to a steaming cup of coffee and witness the sunrise over the plains, with Kilimanjaro's majestic snow-capped peak often visible in the clear morning light.
Morning: After a leisurely breakfast, break camp and descend from the hills. Your drive continues towards the Taita Taveta region, the landscape shifting to drier, rocky outcrops.
Afternoon: Arrive at the unique Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Check into your lodge, an oasis often built around a natural spring or with stunning views. Your first adventure is a visit to the legendary Lion Rock. Clamber gently to its vantage points for panoramic views. Learn its history and watch for wildlife gathering below. Later, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the sanctuary, searching for its diverse residents.
Evening: Dine at your lodge, perhaps sharing stories on a viewing deck overlooking a waterhole, where animals come to drink under the cover of darkness.

Day 03

Explore the Secrets of Taita Hills Sanctuary

Morning & Afternoon: A full day to explore this private sanctuary. Options abound: embark on focused game drives in search of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and the prolific birdlife; enjoy a guided nature walk to appreciate the smaller wonders; or visit a local community project. The sanctuary offers a more intimate, crowd-free safari experience.
Evening: Your final night here is spent savoring the tranquility. Enjoy a special bush dinner or a final drink under the stars, reflecting on the contrast between these ancient, bio-diverse hills and the volcanic youth of the Chyulus.

Day 04

Taita Hills to Tsavo East and Red Elephant Country

Morning: After breakfast, depart for the vast, iconic wilderness of Tsavo East National Park. Enter through one of its dusty gates, where the famous red soil immediately stains the earth and paints the elephants a distinctive ochre hue.
Afternoon: Begin your exploration with a game drive towards your lodge or camp. Tsavo's landscape is a dramatic expanse of open plains, the Galana River, and the legendary Yatta Plateau - the world's longest lava flow. Look for dust-red elephants, lion, cheetah, and massive herds of buffalo.
Evening: Settle into your accommodation, deep in the park. The sounds here are the quintessential sounds of Africa - the whoop of hyena, the roar of a distant lion, and the endless symphony of crickets.

Day 05

Galana River, Lugard Falls, and Mudanda Rock

Morning: An early game drive takes you to the life-giving Galana River. Watch crocodiles bask on the banks and hippos grumble in the pools, while a myriad of animals come to drink. Visit Lugard Falls, where the river forces its way through a series of dramatic rapids and rocks.
Afternoon: Visit Mudanda Rock, a great sandstone outcrop that acts as a natural dam. From the top, enjoy spectacular views over a waterhole that attracts hundreds of animals, especially in the dry season. It's a perfect spot for photography and quiet contemplation of the park's scale.
Evening: Return to camp for dinner, perhaps enjoying a presentation by a resident naturalist on Tsavo's unique ecology and storied history.

Day 06

Aruba Dam and the Vast Plains of Tsavo East

Morning & Afternoon: Your final full day is dedicated to further exploration. Journey to the Aruba Dam, another vital water point that draws incredible concentrations of wildlife. Traverse the seemingly endless plains of the Voi Sector, where the sense of space is profound. This is a day for immersing yourself in the raw, untamed beauty of one of the world's largest national parks, searching for the species you've yet to tick off your list.
Evening: A farewell bush dinner or a quiet final meal at your camp, reflecting on a journey that has spanned from misty volcanic hills to the very soul of the African savannah.

Day 07

Final Game Drive and Return to Nairobi

Morning: Enjoy one last, gentle game drive as you make your way towards the park exit. Soak in the final views of elephants against the baobabs and the golden light on the plains.
Afternoon: Exit the park and begin the journey back to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon. You return not just with photographs, but with the deep, quiet satisfaction of having experienced the layered landscapes and timeless rhythms of Kenya's wild south.

Where this trip takes you

Chyulu Hills, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Tsavo East National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 5 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation as specified: 1 night of fly camping in Chyulu Hills, 2 nights in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, and 3 nights in Tsavo East.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and drinking water throughout the itinerary.
All road transportation in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
All scheduled game drives and park entry fees for Chyulu Hills National Park and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
Fly camping experience in Chyulu Hills, including camping equipment, guide, and camp staff.
Guided visit and walk at Lion Rock in Taita Hills.
All applicable government taxes and VAT.

What's Not Included

Tsavo East National Park entry fees.
International flights and visas.
Travel and medical insurance.
Drinks (excluding water), laundry, and other personal expenses.
Tips for guides, drivers, and camp staff (highly appreciated).
Any activities not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.

What to bring

Valid passport and necessary visas.
Sleeping bag.
Soft-sided luggage or a duffel bag for easier storage in vehicles.
For fly camping: a warm fleece or down jacket, beanie, gloves, and thermal base layers for cold nights at altitude.
Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime.
Long-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers for evenings for protection from mosquitoes.
A warm layer for early mornings and nights.
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or boots, and sandals.
A wide-brimmed hat and a lightweight scarf or buff for dust.
High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and quality sunglasses.
Insect repellent with DEET.
Personal medication, if any.
Reusable water bottle.
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
Binoculars, essential for wildlife viewing.
Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.
Headlamp or small flashlight with extra batteries.
Power bank for charging devices.