The Mombasa Rendezvous

After an early breakfast, pick up from 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 bus, 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 on a full board basis.

Ashnil Aruba Lodge – Tsavo East

The 40 deluxe rooms each have a terrace overlooking the plains or the Aruba dam. Each room is designed to provide utmost comfort ensuring a pleasant stay. The rooms also 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. The new 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 colored 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 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. The 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 followed by 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 Sarova Saltlick Lodge on a full board basis or Sarova Taita Hills Lodge

(by default the safari will be booked at Sarova Saltlick Lodge.  If Sarova Taita Hills Lodge is required then pls advise your consultant and see separate cost)

Sarova Saltlick Lodge

Sarova Salt Lick 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 – overlooking a salt slick and small waterhole. Each room is spacious and beautifully appointed, featuring exquisite ethnic décor in keeping with the Tsavo environment Rooms are spacious and 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.

Sarova Taita Hills Safari Lodge

Taita Wildlife 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 early morning game drive in the sanctuary returning to the lodge for lunch before continuing your journey to Mombasa, aiming to reach your beach hotel in the afternoon. Drop of at your North/South coast beach hotel (if Airport drop off is required then a supplementary transfer cost will apply). End of services