Kenya · Safari

4-Day Amboseli and Tsavo Safari from Nairobi with Kilimanjaro Views

4 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Amboseli National Park and witness large elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro
02 Experience thrilling game drives across the diverse landscapes of Tsavo West National Park
03 Visit Mzima Springs and observe hippos and crocodiles from the underwater viewing chamber
04 Discover the dramatic Shetani Lava Flows and learn about their volcanic origins
05 Search for the famous red elephants in Tsavo East National Park
06 Spot predators, including lions, during early morning and late afternoon game drives

Embark on a 4-day Kenya safari from Nairobi through Amboseli National Park, Tsavo West National Park, and Tsavo East National Park. Enjoy scenic drives and thrilling game drives in search of elephants, lions, and rhinos, with panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and ever-changing savannah and volcanic landscapes. Along the way, visit Mzima Springs and the dramatic Shetani Lava Flows, and look out for Tsavo's famous red elephants.

You can view hippos and crocodiles from an underwater glass tank.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Nairobi, Amboseli National Park, Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Amboseli and Afternoon Game Drive

Morning: Early pick-up from your Nairobi hotel at approximately 7:30 AM. The drive to Amboseli takes about 4 hours via the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, turning off at Emali.
Midday: Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a short rest.
Afternoon: Enjoy a game drive in Amboseli. This is the best time to see the large "Tuskers" (elephants) grazing in the swamps with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, which is usually clearer in the late afternoon.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at your Sentrim Camp or Amboseli Kibo Safari Camp.

Day 02

Sunrise in Amboseli and Transfer to Tsavo West

Morning: Set out on an early morning game drive to catch the sunrise over Kilimanjaro. After breakfast, depart for Tsavo West on a drive of approximately 2-3 hours.
Midday: Enter Tsavo West via the Shetani Lava Flows, a dramatic "frozen" landscape of black volcanic rock. Check in for lunch.
Afternoon: Visit Mzima Springs, where millions of gallons of crystal-clear water gush from the ground. You can view hippos and crocodiles from an underwater glass tank. Later, visit the Rhino Sanctuary.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Tsavo West at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge or Ngulia Safari Lodge.

Day 03

Tsavo West to Tsavo East Safari Adventure

Morning: Breakfast and a final morning game drive in the rugged, hilly terrain of Tsavo West.
Midday: Depart for Tsavo East, the largest park in Kenya, on an approximately 3-hour drive. You will cross the main highway and enter a much flatter, drier landscape.
Afternoon: Enjoy a game drive in search of the famous "Red Elephants," coloured by the park's iron-rich soil, as well as the man-eating lions of Tsavo. Keep an eye out for the Aruba Dam, a major watering hole.

Evening: Dinner and overnight at Tsavo East Aruba Ashnil Lodge or Voi Wildlife Lodge.

Day 04

Final Tsavo East Game Drive and Return to Nairobi

Morning: Enjoy a final sunrise game drive in Tsavo East. This is often the best time to spot lions hunting.
Midday: Have a hearty breakfast at the lodge, followed by a leisurely game drive toward the park exit.
Afternoon: Begin the drive back to Nairobi, which takes approximately 5-6 hours. We typically stop for lunch at a scenic point along the highway.
Evening: Arrive in Nairobi by late afternoon or early evening for drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Where this trip takes you

Amboseli National Park, Mt. Kilimanjaro backdrop, Mzima Springs underwater glass tank, Shetani Lava Flows

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary, subject to timely payment to secure bookings.
All meals specified in the itinerary, generally consisting of daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets with both Western and local dishes.
Transportation in a standard game-viewing Toyota 4x4 Land Cruiser equipped with a pop-up roof for optimal wildlife viewing and photography.
A guaranteed window seat for each passenger on private trips to ensure maximum game viewing and flexibility.
A professional English-speaking driver-guide with extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, landscapes, and Kenyan culture.
Two-way long-range high-frequency radio communication in each 4x4 Land Cruiser or Jeep.
Safari accessories in each vehicle, including binoculars for the driver-guide, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.
Park entrance fees and game drives as specified in the itinerary.
All government taxes and levies, along with a minimum of 3 litres of bottled water per client per day during the safari.
Pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi and drop-off after the safari.

What's Not Included

Domestic and international airfares and departure taxes
Personal communication charges for telephone calls, faxes, emails, and related services
Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, with a recommended amount of 15 USD per person per day for planning purposes
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and laundry services
Between-meal snacks and any events not included in the itinerary

What to bring

Pack layered clothing, as early morning game drives can be cool, especially in Amboseli.
Choose neutral colours such as khaki, beige, or olive green to blend into the environment.
Avoid bright white, as it shows dust easily.
Avoid dark blue and black in wooded areas, as they may attract tsetse flies.
Select breathable cotton or linen fabrics for daytime comfort.
Bring comfortable sneakers or chukka boots suitable for safari vehicles and lodge grounds.
Pack swimwear, as many lodges feature swimming pools with park views.
Carry binoculars for enhanced wildlife viewing across open plains and marshes.
Bring a camera with a zoom lens for capturing distant wildlife.
Pack a power bank for long game drive days.
Carry a universal adapter, as Kenya uses Type G three-pin rectangular plugs.
Apply high-SPF sunscreen due to strong equatorial sun exposure.
Use lip balm with sun protection.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional shade.
Carry insect repellent for evenings and areas near water sources.
Pack personal medications and a compact first-aid kit.
Include antihistamines and motion sickness tablets for uneven safari roads.
Use soft-sided duffel bags instead of hard-shell luggage for easier packing in safari vehicles.
Carry small-denomination US Dollars issued after 2006 or Kenya Shillings for tips and local purchases.
Avoid plastic carrier bags, as they are banned in Kenya, and use reusable fabric or dry bags instead.

Know before you go

Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization through the official government portal at least three days before departure.
Prepare flight itineraries and hotel confirmations for upload during the eTA application process.
Ensure your immigration status remains valid for the entire duration of the safari.
Present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if arriving from or transiting through a Yellow Fever risk country.
Consult a travel clinic regarding malaria prophylaxis, as Amboseli and Tsavo are lower-altitude areas where malaria is present.
Use only bottled or properly filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Avoid bringing single-use plastic carrier bags into Kenya due to strict regulations.
Use reusable fabric bags or dry bags for toiletries and laundry.
Tip the driver-guide 10 to 15 USD per person per day, usually given on the final day.
Contribute 10 to 15 USD per stay to the lodge general tip box for shared staff distribution.
Carry US Dollars printed after 2009 or Kenya Shillings for tips and small purchases.
Bring sufficient cash for Maasai village visits and roadside souvenirs.
Download offline maps of the Amboseli and Tsavo region before travel.
Expect limited mobile network coverage during game drives.