5 Days Amboseli & Tsavo National Parks
A captivating five-day journey through two of Kenya's most iconic and contrasting national parks. Amboseli offers Kilimanjaro views and vast elephant herds in open marshland; Tsavo — Kenya's largest park — provides dramatic volcanic landscapes and the famous dust-red elephants. Together they deliver one of Kenya's most complete wildlife experiences.
This itinerary departs from Nairobi or Mombasa and can be configured in either direction. Accommodation ranges from economy to ultra-luxury — we tailor to your budget and style.
Highlights
- ◆Big Five encounters across both Amboseli and Tsavo East/West
- ◆Famous dust-red Tsavo elephants — coated in the park's distinctive red laterite soil
- ◆Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop over Amboseli's elephant herds — Africa's defining image
- ◆Mzima Springs (Tsavo West) — crystal spring with underwater chamber for hippo viewing
- ◆Optional Maasai village cultural visit in Amboseli
- ◆Bush walks with armed rangers · bush dining under the stars
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Nairobi / Mombasa → Amboseli National ParkDay1Nairobi / Mombasa → Amboseli National Park
Depart early from Nairobi (~4hrs drive) or Mombasa (~5hrs). Arrive Amboseli in time for lunch at your lodge. Afternoon game drive: elephant herds moving to the Enkongo Narok swamp with Kilimanjaro catching the last afternoon light. Sundowner at Observation Hill. Camp dinner under the African night sky.
- Day2
Full Day in Amboseli National Park
Pre-dawn wake-up for a sunrise game drive as Kilimanjaro emerges from clouds in pink and gold. Lions and hyenas may still be active from the night. Return for a full lodge breakfast. 10:00 optional guided bush walk with an armed ranger. Afternoon game drive to the swamps — cheetahs on open plains, massive buffalo herds, over 600 bird species. Bush dinner under the stars.
Day 3Amboseli → Tsavo West National ParkDay3Amboseli → Tsavo West National Park
Final morning game drive at 06:00. Drive to Tsavo West (~2hrs). The landscape transforms: from Amboseli's open marshes to Tsavo's volcanic hills, Shetani lava flow, and thick Commiphora bush. Afternoon game drive: lions, leopards, and the first sightings of Tsavo's dust-red elephants. Late afternoon visit to Mzima Springs — freshwater springs fed by Kilimanjaro snowmelt; watch hippos through an underwater glass chamber.
- Day4
Tsavo West → Tsavo East National Park
Drive across the Tsavo River into Tsavo East — Kenya's largest national park. Game drive along the Galana River: enormous crocodiles, hippo pools, and elephants bathing in the red dust. The Aruba Dam watering hole is Africa's finest wildlife gathering point at dusk. Sundowner game drive.
Day 5Tsavo East → Nairobi / Mombasa DepartureDay5Tsavo East → Nairobi / Mombasa Departure
Final sunrise game drive in Tsavo East. Return to lodge for breakfast. Pack up and begin the scenic return drive to Nairobi (arriving ~16:00) or Mombasa (arriving ~12:00). Drop-off at JKIA or hotel. End of safari.
What’s Included
- ✓Pickup and drop-off from hotel or airport (Nairobi or Mombasa)
- ✓Private safari 4x4 vehicle with pop-roof throughout
- ✓Professional driver-guide throughout
- ✓All national park entry fees (Amboseli + Tsavo W + Tsavo E)
- ✓Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- ✓Morning and afternoon game drives daily
- ✓Bottled water throughout
Not Included
- ·International flights
- ·Maasai village fees (~USD 20 pp)
- ·Alcoholic beverages
- ·Tips and gratuities
- ·Travel insurance
- ·Personal items and souvenirs
Kenya — The Heart of Safari
Kenya is the quintessential African safari destination. From the sweeping red-oat grasslands of the Masai Mara — home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth — to the elephant-studded marshes of Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro rising on the horizon, Kenya offers unparalleled wildlife viewing across more than 50 national parks and reserves.
Explore Kenya in full →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Amboseli and Tsavo?
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Amboseli is compact, open, and built around its elephant herds and Kilimanjaro backdrop. Tsavo — Kenya's largest park, split into East and West — is wilder and more varied, known for its distinctive dust-red elephants, volcanic landscapes, and the underwater hippo-viewing chamber at Mzima Springs.
Is 5 days enough to do both parks justice?
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Yes, for a first visit to each. You get two full days in Amboseli and roughly a day and a half each in Tsavo West and Tsavo East — enough to experience what makes each park distinct without the trip feeling like a checklist.
Can this itinerary start or end in Mombasa instead of Nairobi?
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Yes — Tsavo sits between the two, so the route works equally well in either direction. This makes it a natural pairing with a coastal stay; let us know your preferred start and end point and we'll route it accordingly.
Are the Tsavo elephants really red?
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Yes — Tsavo's volcanic soil is a deep red laterite, and the elephants dust-bathe in it constantly, which stains their skin. It's one of the park's most photographed details.