Ideally suited to those staying in Mombasa, this short safari travels through Tsavo East, Amboseli National Park, and Taita Hills. It is a compact trip but provides an excellent opportunity to view a diverse variety of wildlife and the overshadowing snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After an early breakfast, pick up from Moi Airport or your North/South coast beach hotel and depart. Drive north, along the main highway towards Nairobi, following the route of the railway line built by the British late in the nineteenth century. The road passes through the warehouses and workshops on the outskirts of Mombasa, climbing steadily and soon the vast plains of Tsavo become visible in the distance, with the rolling Taita Hills on the horizon. Enter Tsavo East National Park (12,000 sq kms) at Buchuma Gate, here the driver will open the roof of your Vehicle, so you can stand up with the wind in your hair. Welcome to Africa, the safari has begun! Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and is split into East and West by the highway. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and later enjoy time for relaxation before setting off back into the park for your afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge or similar in a standard room or tent on a full board basis.
Ashnil Aruba Lodge – Tsavo East
The rooms each have a terrace overlooking the plains or the Aruba dam. The rooms contain an ensuite toilet and shower facility with bathroom accessories. A variety of room types are available double rooms, triple rooms, rooms for the physically challenged and adjoining rooms, making it family-friendly. Aruba Lodge lies on the northern bank overlooking the Aruba Dam that was originally constructed across the Voi River in 1952. This and other nearby watering holes are favorites for large mammals especially the herds of elephants that are often dramatically coloured red from the soil, and are quite a spectacle as they majestically traverse back and forth across the plains. Also to be found are the Burchells zebra, the Masai giraffe, impala, Grants Gazelle, Lesser Kudu and the reserved but somewhat bad tempered cape buffalo. Other mammals include waterbuck, the fringe eared Oryx, the long necked and graceful gerenuk and if you are lucky the rare Hirola or Hunter’s hartebeest can be spotted. Lions, cheetah and the occasional leopards and a myriad species of birds are also residents of the park. This particular eco-region is noted for the pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) among other reptiles and lizards.
After an early breakfast, depart to Amboseli. Join the main highway and continue northwards, passing Hunters Lodge, the sight of the infamous ‘Man eaters of Tsavo’ incident where lions attacked the workers building the railway, made famous in a Hollywood movie. Reach the township of Emali, you will leave the main road and head south towards Amboseli national park. If the weather is clear you’ll catch sight of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro directly ahead, arriving at your camp in time for lunch. After some time for relaxation or a dip in the inviting swimming pool, set out into the national park for a game drive. Taking you across this vast lakebed - often dry, but still very swampy in areas. Amboseli is best known for its great herds of elephant - you'll often find many of them standing knee-deep in the water, spraying themselves to keep cool. But there's a lot of other game here too - cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, many types of gazelle and other plains game - and it's all set against the amazing backdrop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Return to the camp as the sun sets.
Overnight at Amboseli Sentrim Camp or similar in a standard tent on a full board basis.
Sentrim Amboseli Camp
Sentrim Amboseli is located on the border of Amboseli National Park, right near Kimana gate. The entirely new 60 luxurious and comfortable deluxe ensuite tents are evenly spread out with fantastic view of Mt Kilimanjaro. he main guest area consists of reception, lounge area, restaurant and bar lounge and gift shop.
Following an early morning game drive and breakfast, depart east to Taita Hills, arriving in time for lunch at Taita Hills Safari Lodge. Proceed to Saltlick Safari Lodge. Depart on an afternoon game drive in the Sanctuary, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. After dinner set out on a night game drive, this time with an opportunity to view nocturnal wildlife in their habitat.
Overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge in a Parkview room (or Taita Hills Safari Resort in a Standard Room) on a full board basis (by default the safari will be booked at Salt Lick Safari Lodge. If Taita Hills Safari Resort is required then pls advise your consultant and see reduction).
Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is located in the heart of a private Wildlife Sanctuary which lies adjacent to Tsavo National Park, therefore playing an increasingly important role in the protection and conservation of Kenya's wildlife heritage. The entire lodge is raised on stilts, providing 24-hour game viewing opportunities from any corner of the lodge. The rooms are built in two storey blocks from a central pod and linked together by elevated platforms. Each room is spacious and beautifully appointed, featuring exquisite ethnic décor in keeping with the Tsavo environment. Rooms have all the necessary modern conveniences. The restaurant, bar and main balconies have views over the water hole and salt lick, which is constantly in use by local park residents. There is also an underground hide for closer encounters.
Taita Hills Safari Resort
Taita Hills Sanctuary is spectacularly located at the foot of the Taita Hills and adjacent to Tsavo National Park, approximately 210 kms from Mombasa. The sanctuary has been privately owned and managed for more than 40 years and has developed an excellent reputation as one of the leading wildlife areas in the region and for its committed approach to wildlife conservation. More than 50 species of large mammals inhabit the 28,000-acre sanctuary, and these include lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, buffalo and giraffe. Most of the sanctuary is unfenced and therefore wildlife numbers vary throughout the year depending on natural environmental factors. Habitat varies from woodland, reverie forest to open acacia grasslands. The sanctuary has over 300 resident and migrant species of birds. Such variety makes each game drive a unique and unforgettable experience. Taita Hills Lodge, situated at the entrance to the wildlife sanctuary and recently refurbished to a high standard the accommodation is spacious and consists of 62 rooms, all with en suite facilities, balcony and views across the gardens to the hills beyond. Public area offers a lounge, dining room, bar, shop and conference room for groups up to 100. The flooring in the main complex is parka wood, with huge central fireplace with its funnel going all the way to the roof. There is also a good use of natural ornamental stone and impressive African artefacts decorating the walls. Delightful gardens with sun-beds around a refreshing swimming pool provide peaceful relaxation in between safari game drives.
After breakfast enjoy an morning game drive in the sanctuary with tree planting and visiting the World War Museum at Taita Hills Safari lodge . Lunch is provided at Taita Hills Safari Lodge before continuing your journey to Mombasa, aiming to reach your beach hotel early evening. Drop of at Moi Airport or your North/South coast beach hotel. End of services.
Landside meet and greet services.
Transfers as specified.
Transport for safari sector in 4x4 vehicles on a private basis with maximum 6 passengers per vehicle.
Guaranteed window seats.
Services of experienced bilingual English-speaking driver-guides on our Private safaris (languages including Spanish, French, German and Italian are available on request and subject to availability).
Game drives and activities as specified in the itinerary.
All accommodation and meals as specified.
All park fees and government taxes (except Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax where applicable).
Filtered water will be provided in safari vehicles provided.
Travellers should bring reusable water bottles.
Internal flights (if applicable) as specified in the itinerary inclusive of all airport taxes.
International and regional flights (except where specified)
Airport taxes except on tickets we issue
Passport and visa fees
Zanzibar Infrastructure Tax (where applicable)
Hot air balloon safaris
Driver-guide gratuities
Dining rooms tips and porterage
Personal travel, baggage, and medical insurance
Drinks, Laundry, Telephone bills and any items of a personal nature (except where specified).
Hotel Envisaged
Tsavo - SALT LICK SAFARI LODGE (by default the safari will be booked at Salt Lick Safari Lodge. If Taita Hills Safari Lodge is required then pls advise your consultant).
STAYS AT SALT LICK SAFARI LODGE IN PARKVIEW ROOM. FOR UPGRADE TO WATER HOLE ROOM OR TO STAY AT TAITA HILLS LODGE, SEPARATE SUPPLEMENT OR REDUCTION WILL BE APPLICABLE.
*Park and Reserve fees used in these rates are based on current information. Should there be increases in park and/or Reserve fees, these will be passed along for all existing and future bookings.
Christmas Supplement: AUD 82-00 per person per night from 24 Dec 2024 to 01 Jan 2025 inclusive. (Christmas Supplement 24 Dec 2025 to 01 Jan 2026 inclusive).
Easter Supplement: AUD 82-00 per person per night from 29 Mar 2024 to 01 Apr 2024 inclusive. (Easter Supplement 18 Apr 2025 to 21 Apr 2025 inclusive).
Cost of Extra Night Tsavo East National Park – Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Amboseli National Park – Sentrim Amboseli Camp, Taita Hills Sanctuary – Saltlick Safari Lodge available on request.
Child supplement is available on request.
We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you for existing and new bookings.
Flight times mentioned for internal flights are based on published schedules but are subject to change depending on the airline’s load factors and airstrips visited.
Passengers should bring only soft sided bags. Luggage space in safari vehicles is limited. These bags should measure no more than the following: Height 66 centimetres Length 42 centimetres Width 28 centimetres. Soft sided bags with wheels are permitted.
If travelling on internal flights during your safari, luggage allowances are strictly enforced to 15 kilograms per person including carry-on bags.
If arriving and departing from the same city, bags can be stored in our offices for a one-time fee of AUD 94. 00 (per booking, not per bag or per person) to transfer and store the bags and reconnect them with the travellers for departure.
Arrival Information
Earliest check-in at the arrival hotel is 14h00. Travellers arriving on early morning flights are urged to book a pre-night at the arrival hotel (at an additional cost) to avoid delays in accessing the hotel rooms on arrival.
Departure Information
- This safari returns to your beach hotel in North or South Coast by 1800 hrs.
- Travellers departing from Moi AIRPORT on a domestic or international flight should book a flight departing later than 2100 hrs.
- Travellers with a long layover before their departure flight should consider booking a day room (at an additional cost) to refresh and repack before their international journey.