Following a night in Nairobi to relax and perhaps enjoy a historic city tour or a delightful restaurant, depart early in the morning on safari to Amboseli. This safari covers the shimmering plains of Amboseli and then continues to Taita Hills and East Tsavo. Here you will certainly see some great herds of elephant and antelope before continuing to Mombasa’s spectacular coast.
The Sarova Stanley Hotel
Situated in the city centre, it was where the travellers, including Earnest Hemingway, gathered for a drink at the legendary Thorn Tree Café before or after a long safari. A message board on the acacia xanthophildea tree is used by travellers to make contact with fellow travellers. The 220 room hotel has been refurbished to a high standard and still retains the original Victorian charm. Bedrooms with private bathrooms are very comfortable while the restaurants serve excellent international cuisine. The gym is excellent, pool large and conference facilities extremely modern.
Ol Tukai Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge was opened in June 1996 and lies at the heart of Amboseli National Park approximately 266kms due south of Nairobi. The lodge is set at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and is probably the best wildlife arenas to view elephants at close range. Most of the park consists of a partially dry, lake bed of evaporated salts and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland. Around the swamps the vegetation is lush with yellow barked acacia and phoenix palms. You can see most types of game in the park including rhino, giraffe, gazelle, lion, cheetah and leopards. Birdlife is prolific too, especially around the swamp areas. Cottage style accommodation spreads out on either side of the main lodge. The architecture is unobtrusive with lots of wood, local stone and slate. There are two double rooms especially designed for the disabled and ramps for wheelchairs are the norm. Each room has an uninterrupted view of either the wetlands or Mt. Kilimanjaro, with the occasional dust trail of safari vehicles viewing game in this most beautiful of Kenya's game parks. The crystal clear figure of eight swimming pool, shaded by the occasional acacia tree, has ample sun beds and mattresses available for guest use.
Saltlick Lodge
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. All rooms are built in two storey blocks from a central pod and linked together by elevated platforms – overlooking a salt slick and small waterhole. 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.
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 favourites 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 Maasai 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 resident’s of the park. This particular eco-region is noted for the pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) among other reptiles and lizards.
Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa 4*
This 4 star hotel offers 340 rooms that are suites and have balconies or verandas. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, direct dial telephones and in-room safes. Whitesands Beach Hotel enjoys the longest seafront on the North Coast of Mombasa, which boasts one of the finest beaches in East Africa. The resort is set amongst 22 acres of tropical gardens, swaying palm trees and fishponds. Five free form swimming pools are complete with waterfalls, a secluded island and an exhilarating waterslide.
Itinerary:
Day 1 : Nairobi
Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to The Sarova Stanley hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at The Sarova Stanley hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 : Nairobi - Amboseli
After a leisurely breakfast you will depart Nairobi at approx. 11h00hrs with a picnic lunch and head south east via Namanga towards Amboseli with an afternoon game drive in the park arriving at the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 3 : Amboseli National Park – Tsavo West National Park – Taita Hills Game Reserve
An early departure after breakfast takes you east, across the spectacular Shetani lava flow, reminder of the molten outpouring that spilled down the scenic slopes of the nearby Chyulu Hills over the last three centuries. A zigzagging road through scrub thorn and acacia leads you into Tsavo National Park, which together (East and West) form the largest of Kenya’s parks. Spotting game as you go, especially gerenuk, Lunch at Kilaguni Lodge, after lunch there will be a game drive in the park and a visit to Mzima Springs with its underwater viewing holes and arrive at your lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Saltlick Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 4 : Taita Hills – Tsavo East
After breakfast enjoy a morning game drive in Taita Hills Game Sanctuary, returning to the lodge for lunch before continuing your journey to Tsavo East National Park with game drive enroute arriving at your lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Aruba Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 5 : Tsavo East – Mombasa
After breakfast enjoy a morning game drive returning to the lodge for lunch before continuing your journey to Mombasa, aiming to reach your beach hotel late afternoon.
Day 6 - 8 : Mombasa Beach
Recreational facilities include a fully equipped Health Club, Water Sports such as surfing, goggling, scuba diving and deep sea fishing, three swimming pools, waterslide, 4 floodlit tennis courts, video shows and table tennis. Golf available nearby.
Day 9 : Depart
Breakfast and day at leisure until transfer to the Airport for your departure flight home.
Offer Includes:
- Flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow
- Airport taxes
- Transfers
- Accommodations and meals as per itinerary
- 4 nights Safari on full board basis
- 4 nights Whitesands Beach Hotel on half board basis
- Game viewing drives as per the itinerary
- All park fees and government taxes
- All transport and game drives on road safaris in a 4*4 vehicle (with seven window seats) with an English speaking driver guide on a shared basis
