This 4-day safari combines Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Amboseli National Parks, offering a comprehensive tour of three distinct ecosystems. The extended itinerary allows for a more relaxed pace, increased game viewing time, and a deeper exploration of each park’s unique features.

Day 1: Tsavo East National Park
1. Early morning departure from your starting point (e.g., Mombasa or Malindi)
2. Drive to Tsavo East National Park (2-3 hours)
3. Enter the park and enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge
4. Lunch at your chosen lodge in Tsavo East
5. Afternoon game drive in Tsavo East
6. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight stay

Day 2: Tsavo East to Tsavo West
1. Early morning game drive in Tsavo East
2. Return to lodge for breakfast
3. Check out and drive to Tsavo West National Park (2-3 hours)
4. Lunch at your Tsavo West lodge
5. Afternoon game drive in Tsavo West, including a visit to Mzima Springs
6. Dinner and overnight at your Tsavo West lodge

Day 3: Tsavo West to Amboseli
1. Early morning game drive in Tsavo West
2. Breakfast at the lodge
3. Optional visit to Shetani Lava Flow or Chyulu Hills
4. Drive to Amboseli National Park (3-4 hours)
5. Afternoon game drive in Amboseli
6. Dinner and overnight at an Amboseli lodge

Day 4: Amboseli National Park
1. Early morning game drive in Amboseli (best time for clear views of Mt. Kilimanjaro)
2. Return to lodge for breakfast
3. Mid-morning game drive or optional visit to a Maasai village
4. Lunch at the lodge
5. Final game drive in Amboseli
6. Depart for your original starting point in the late afternoon/evening

Key Locations

Tsavo East National Park
– One of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks
– Known for its large elephant herds and the “red elephants” covered in red dust
– Flat, semi-arid landscape with the Galana River as a key feature
– Home to diverse wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, and numerous bird species

Tsavo West National Park
– More mountainous and wetter than Tsavo East, with scenic volcanic hills and lava rock formations
– Features Mzima Springs, a series of natural springs with underwater viewing chambers
– Home to diverse wildlife, including black rhinos in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
– Known for its population of “big tusker” elephants

Amboseli National Park
– Famous for its large elephant herds and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro
– Diverse landscape including dried-up lake bed, wetlands, savannah, and woodlands
– Excellent for wildlife photography, especially with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop
– Home to large populations of elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and various antelope species

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
– Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles
– Various antelope species including kudu, gerenuk, and oryx
– Over 500 bird species recorded across the three parks

Key Attractions
1. Galana River (Tsavo East): Excellent for wildlife viewing
2. Mudanda Rock (Tsavo East): Natural viewpoint and water catchment area
3. Mzima Springs (Tsavo West): Crystal clear water springs with underwater viewing chamber
4. Shetani Lava Flow (Tsavo West): Vast expanse of folded black lava
5. Mount Kilimanjaro views (Amboseli): Best seen at dawn and dusk
6. Observation Hill (Amboseli): Panoramic views of the entire park

Accommodation Options
– Tsavo East: Voi Wildlife Lodge, Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Satao Camp
– Tsavo West: Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp
– Amboseli: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Ol Tukai Lodge, Tortilis Camp

Best Time to Visit
– June to October and January to February (dry seasons) for optimal wildlife viewing
– July to October for the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
– March to May and November to December are rainy seasons, offering lush landscapes but potentially challenging road conditions

What to Pack
– Light, neutral-colored clothing
– Warm layers for early morning and evening game drives
– Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
– Insect repellent
– Camera and binoculars
– Comfortable, closed shoes for walking

Photography Tips
1. Tsavo East: Capture the iconic ‘red elephants’ against the park’s rusty-red earth
2. Tsavo West: Use the volcanic landscapes as dramatic backdrops for wildlife shots
3. Amboseli: Aim for sunrise/sunset shots of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background