Embark on an epic 9-day Kenyan safari, exploring five of the country's most iconic and diverse wildlife destinations. Begin in Tsavo East, renowned for its vast herds of "red elephants" roaming the dusty plains. Then, venture into the diverse landscapes of Tsavo West, home to unique wildlife and geological wonders. Next, witness majestic elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli. Please continue to the tranquil shores of Lake Naivasha, known for its hippos, vibrant birdlife, and the unique Crescent Island sanctuary. Finally, experience the thrill of the Maasai Mara, witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal) and encountering the Big Five. This extended tour offers the ultimate Kenyan safari experience, showcasing the country's rich biodiversity and stunning scenery, with ample time to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and thrilling encounters.

Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo East National Park
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Tsavo East
Day 3: Tsavo East to Tsavo West National Park
Day 4: Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park
Day 5: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha
Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 7: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 8: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Day 9: Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Activities:

* Multiple game drives in Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, and Maasai Mara National Parks
* Explore the unique landscapes and geological formations of each park
* Boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
* Nature walk on Crescent Island.
Optional activities: Visit the Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, Chaimu Crater, enjoy a bush walk, experience a Maasai village visit, or take a hot air balloon safari in the Maasai Mara (additional cost).

Optional Travel Upgrade:

Travel Between Parks with Light Aircraft: For a seamless and time-efficient experience, consider upgrading your transportation between parks with a scenic light aircraft flight. This option offers breathtaking aerial views of the Kenyan landscape and significantly reduces travel time, allowing you to maximize your time on safari.

Wildlife & Scenic Highlights:

Tsavo East National Park: Elephants (including the famous "red elephants"), lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, antelopes, and a diverse array of bird species, such as ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
Tsavo West National Park: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, black rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species.
Amboseli National Park: Elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and a plethora of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and secretary birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro: The majestic backdrop of Africa's highest peak, offering stunning photo opportunities.
Lake Naivasha: Hippos, African fish eagles, cormorants, pelicans, herons, kingfishers, and a variety of other water birds.
Crescent Island: Zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, gazelles, and numerous bird species.
Lake Nakuru National Park: Flamingos, rhinos (both black and white), lions, leopards, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras, and a plethora of bird species, including pelicans, eagles, and storks.
Maasai Mara National Reserve: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and a diverse array of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Witness the annual spectacle of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River in search of fresh grazing lands. (Seasonal, typically July-October)
Scenic Landscapes: The Yatta Plateau (world's longest lava flow) in Tsavo East, the Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, and the Chaimu Crater in Tsavo West, the picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley, acacia forests, the shimmering waters of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, the volcanic Mount Longonot, and the vast plains, rolling hills, and acacia-dotted savannahs of the Maasai Mara.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo East National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours drive)

• Morning (Arrival): Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi, you will be met by your professional driver/guide. After a brief welcome and safari briefing, you will depart for Tsavo East National Park.
• Mid-morning: The drive to Tsavo East takes you southeast, passing through changing landscapes, from bustling towns to rural areas.
• Afternoon: Arrive at your chosen lodge or camp inside or just outside Tsavo East. Check in and enjoy lunch.
• Late Afternoon: Embark on your first game drive in Tsavo East, renowned for its large herds of elephants, often referred to as "red elephants" due to the red soil they dust themselves with. Keep an eye out for other wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and various bird species.
• Evening: Return to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Satao Elerai Camp, Man-Eaters Camp, or similar.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Tsavo East National Park

• Morning: Early morning game drive to witness the sunrise and observe wildlife during their most active hours. This is a prime time for predator sightings.
• Mid-morning: Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast.
• Late Morning/Afternoon: Continue exploring Tsavo East with extended game drives, focusing on different areas of the park. Consider visiting the Lugard Falls, where the Galana River plunges through a narrow gorge, or the Mudanda Rock, a long outcrop of rock that attracts many animals, especially during the dry season.
• Evening: Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Tsavo East to Tsavo West National Park (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning: Enjoy a final game drive in Tsavo East, perhaps focusing on tracking specific animals or revisiting a favourite spot.
• Mid-morning: After breakfast, check out and drive to Tsavo West National Park. The journey itself offers scenic views as the landscape changes.
• Afternoon: Arrive and check in to your accommodation in or near Tsavo West. Have lunch.
• Late Afternoon: Explore Tsavo West, known for its dramatic landscapes, including volcanic hills, lava flows, and natural springs. Visit the Mzima Springs, a series of crystal-clear pools fed by underground streams, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and various fish species.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Finch Hattons Camp, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, or similar.

Day 4: Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park (Approx. 3-4 hours drive)

• Morning: Enjoy a final game drive in Tsavo West, perhaps visiting the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary (check availability and pre-booking requirements).
• Mid-morning: After breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park, renowned for its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
• Afternoon: Arrive and check in to your accommodation in or near Amboseli. Enjoy lunch.
• Late Afternoon: Begin your game drive in Amboseli, with fantastic photo opportunities of elephants against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. The park is also home to lions, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and a variety of birdlife.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Tortilis Camp Amboseli, Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli, or similar.

Day 5: Amboseli to Lake Naivasha (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning: Early morning game drive in Amboseli for the best chance to see Kilimanjaro clearly and observe wildlife activity in the cool morning air.
• Mid-morning: After breakfast, depart for Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley.
• Afternoon: Arrive and check in to your lakeside accommodation.
• Late Afternoon: Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, offering excellent birdwatching opportunities and close encounters with hippos. Consider a visit to Crescent Island, a peninsula where you can enjoy a walking safari among zebras, giraffes, and other plains game.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Enashipai Resort & Spa, Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort, or similar.

Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park (Approx. 1-2 hours drive)

• Morning: Enjoy a relaxed morning at Lake Naivasha, perhaps with a nature walk or more birdwatching.
• Mid-morning: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park.
• Afternoon: Arrive and check in to your accommodation near Lake Nakuru.
• Late Afternoon: Enjoy a game drive in Lake Nakuru, famous for its large flocks of flamingos (seasonal). The park is also a sanctuary for rhinos (both black and white), Rothschild giraffes, lions, leopards, and various antelope species.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, The Cliff Nakuru, or similar.

Day 7: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning: Enjoy a final game drive in Lake Nakuru.
• Mid-morning: Depart for the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve.
• Afternoon: Arrive at your chosen accommodation in or near the Maasai Mara. Check in and have lunch.
• Late Afternoon: Begin your first game drive in the Maasai Mara, famous for its incredible wildlife concentrations and the Great Migration (seasonal).
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Intrepids Camp, Angama Mara, or similar.

Day 8: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve

• Full Day: Enjoy full-day game drives in the Maasai Mara, with packed lunches provided. This allows you to explore different areas of the reserve and maximize your chances of seeing the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) and other wildlife. You can also opt for a hot air balloon safari over the Mara plains (pre-booking essential).
• Evening: Return to your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Maasai Mara to Nairobi & Departure (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

• Morning: Enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara.
• Mid-morning: After breakfast, depart for Nairobi.
• Afternoon: Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your departure flight or to a hotel for onward travel.

Important Notes:

• This is a sample itinerary and can be customized to suit your preferences, budget, and travel dates.
• Driving times are estimates and can vary depending on road conditions and traffic.
• It is highly recommended to book your safari well in advance, especially during peak season (July-October for the Great Migration).
• Pack appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions, including warm layers for the evenings and early mornings, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and binoculars.