Ultimate12-Day Kenya Safari:7 Parks, Nairobi & Diani Beach

Overview

NAIROBI, AMBOSELI, TSAVO WEST, TSAVO EAST, & DIANI

The Kenya by Train Tour is a 12-day private guided itinerary taking you through Southern Kenya. This is a safari and beach holiday. The program starts in Nairobi, taking in magnificent views of the Kilimanjaro Mountain, the vast savannah taming with wildlife, the green rolling hills of Chyulu, and then descending to the paradise white sand beaches and the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean. Parts of this journey can be done by train. You will be wowed by the scenery and the abundant wildlife, visiting several different national parks – Amboseli, Tsavo West, and Tsavo East. The dreamy Diani beach comes at the end, a well-deserved relaxation. Depending on your international flights in and out of Kenya, you can add days at both ends of the trip to fit well with the schedule and activities. You can also start the trip at the coast, in Mombasa, and finish off in Nairobi.

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrive in Nairobi

Today you will arrive at NBO JKIA airport. You will be met and transferred to a city hotel. Nairobi is the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg. Being located just south of the equator, it enjoys a spring like climate. Although Nairobi can be quite hectic, there are charming hidden places, surrounded by tall, lush trees and blooming exotic flowers. Today, enjoy a relaxing time at the hotel in the city hotel plus some dining experience overlooking the Nairobi national park.

Meals & Overnight stay in Nairobi.

Day 02 Sightseeing in Nairobi City

There are some fascinating attractions that you can visit around the city. The cafe culture, the National Museum, the snake park, the Bomas of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum and the world's only urban game reserve- Nairobi national park. If time allows make sure you pay a visit to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage center operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here orphaned elephants and rhinos are raised and later reintroduced into the wild. Watch the animals being fed and put to bed. This is a pre-booked visit. Kindly let us know when we are arranging your safari to ensure you don’t miss out! Depending on time & preference, in the afternoon head to the Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed the giraffes and watch them at eye level from a raised platform and drive back to the hotel.  Meals & Overnight stay in Nairobi.

Day 03 Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast, depart for Amboseli National Park. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. This park sits on the border of Kenya and Tanzania in the shadow of Africa's tallest mountain, the snow-peaked Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is home to huge herds of elephants and Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife - lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah, buffalo, and a host of plains game. Enjoy a spectacular view of the surroundings and exciting wildlife. At night, observe the starry skies and listen to the sounds of nature.

Dinner & Overnight at Amboseli

Day 04 Amboseli National Park

As your safari is private, your time spent at the Amboseli is shaped by your own wishes. You can take breaks, spending time as you please, relaxing at your lodge. Your driver/guide is only too happy to help you plan the details of your stay for the best experience. Useful if you are travelling with children or are on a honeymoon. You may choose to have:

 [Option 1] A full day game drive [one for the whole day] with a packed picnic lunch at no extra cost. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at the lodge.

 [Option 2] Proceed for an early morning pre-breakfast game drive, return to the camp for breakfast, then after breakfast relax in the hotel enjoying the facilities, have lunch at the lodge and later in the evening, you can opt for an optional visit to a local Maasai village to learn about the nomadic lifestyle. Or go for an evening game drive, returning to the camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

[Option 3] You could also do a very early morning Hot Air Balloon safari flight with some champagne breakfast, then proceed for a full day game drive with a packed lunch. Exit the park gate by 6 PM and return to your lodge by 6.30 pm for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 05 Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park

After breakfast, check out with an enroute game drive towards Tsavo West National Park - home to Kenya's red elephants. On the way, visit the Shetani Lava Flows, a reminder about the volcanic activity in the area. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Tsavo is split into two, the Western part and the Eastern part, divided by the highway connecting Nairobi to Mombasa. Together, they form the biggest national park in Kenya and one of the largest wildlife conservation areas in the world. There is a great wildlife viewing opportunity here, as well as several unique sights.

Dinner and overnight at Tsavo West

Day 06 Tsavo West

Tsavo West has a huge variety of habitats, from the lush forests that wrap the shoulders of the Chyulu Hills, to arid desert plains and the lava flows at Shetani. This is not an all-flat park. In the morning, you will set out on another wildlife experience and will see the lonely giant baobab. After the game drive, visit the crystal clear Mzima Springs, an oasis fed by Kilimanjaro's snows. An underwater observation point offers the chance to watch crocodiles, pods of hippos, and schools of fish; this is a must-do experience. After the afternoon game drive, finish the day with a sundowner picnic at Poachers Lookout with a view of the giant Kilimanjaro.

Meals & Overnight at Tsavo

Day 07 Tsavo West to Taita Hills Wildlife sanctuary

After breakfast, check out and drive towards Taita Hills sanctuary, through beautiful hills and valleys, arriving on time for lunch. The water holes located below the lodge attract many animals and provide a wonderful opportunity to view wildlife in proximity within the comfort and confines of the lodge. In the afternoon, you will have an opportunity to explore the savannah on a 4x4 safari and view a diverse array of wildlife within the sanctuary. Later in the evening, return for dinner. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Tsavo plains and a waterhole directly from your room, and the giant elephants up close from a unique underground tunnel.

Meals & overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge.

Day 08 Taita hills to Tsavo East National Park

After breakfast, check out and drive towards Tsavo East National Park. This park is dominated by the Galana River. Arrive in time for Lunch at the camp before exploring the park on an afternoon game drive. Tsavo East is very different from Tsavo West; it hosts quite different ecosystems and bears entirely different faces: Tsavo East is flatter and much drier than Tsavo West. Along the sandy banks of Galana River, beneath the shade of doum palms, you'll witness huge herds of elephants slaking their thirst and slapping mud to their skin. The river is buffered by the huge Yatta Plateau, 300 Km of platter-flat lava flow that stretches across the river's east and north bank.

Dinner & Overnight at Tsavo East

Day 09 Tsavo East

After breakfast, check out with a packed lunch for a full day game drive at the Theatre of the Wild! Tsavo East National Park forms one of the largest protected areas in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust-red elephants, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and pods of hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk, and more. The prolific bird life features hundreds of species, making the park lively and colorful. Later return for dinner and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the savannah, before you head off to the beach the next day. Meals & Overnight at Tsavo East

Day 10 Tsavo East to the Beach!

After breakfast and check out, Yaay... It’s beach time! For the next three days, we give you an opportunity to unwind away from 4x 4 vehicles as you sink your feet into the soft white sands of Kenya's Coast. You have an opportunity to relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, dipping into the turquoise waters of the warm Indian Ocean, watching the ancient dhows sailing past, and being pampered with spa treatments or doing some active sea activities.

Lunch, dinner, & Overnight stay in Diani

Day 11 Diani Beach

Diani beach is one of the longest, whitest, and most impressive beaches on East Africa's coast. The beach is made of pearly white sand against the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. Take the time to relax on the beach and do nothing at all, or spend the day enjoying something more active. Diani can offer a myriad of activities, including diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kitesurfing, or camel riding. You can also venture out on a day trip to the impressive Wasini Island in the south to see dolphins at the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & reserve.

Meals & Overnight in Diani.

Day 12 Departure from Diani

Today is the time for one last beachfront breakfast before you're transferred to the airport or the train station in Mombasa, depending on your further travel plans. If your international flight is from Nairobi, you can choose to travel back to Nairobi in several ways. One of them is taking the Madaraka Express train from Mombasa. There are three departures per day, and you can choose to have a city tour in Mombasa's old town before taking the train. Another way of getting to Nairobi is to fly from Ukunda Airstrip, which is very close to Diani Beach or from Mombasa Airport. There are also international flights leaving from Mombasa Airport directly. Choose the most convenient way.

Included/Excluded

  • Accommodation as specified in the itinerary on Full board basis in the lodge/camp
  • The accommodation often gets full during the peak season and is only confirmed upon making a deposit. Kindly book early to ensure you don’t miss your preferred accommodation.
  • Exclusive transport in a Safari Tour vehicle with a Game viewing roof hatch and UHF radio
  • Private Safari game drives for the tour
  • Services of a certified Professional, English-speaking Driver Guide including all his expenses & allowances
  • Fuel, driver and car park fees, driver's allowance
  • All Park entry fees for clients, driver guide and vehicle
  • 24-hour Back Up support if required
  • International flight tickets and visa costs.
  • Tips, drinks, laundry, calls, and all such costs of a personal nature.
  • Personal Insurance cover
  • Attractions and events not included in your itinerary
  • Credit Card Surcharge of 5 to 7% will apply or Bank Transfer Fees of USD 50.

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