Amboseli, Tsavo West & East By Train: 5-Day Kenya Safari
tour features
| Length | 5-Day Kenya Safari from Nairobi |
|---|---|
| Highlights | Private road safari from Nairobi, returning on the SGR Madaraka Express train |
| Key Information | 2 nights Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge · 1 night Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Tsavo West · 1 night Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Tsavo East · Full board on safari |
About This Amboseli and Tsavo Safari
This 5-day Amboseli and Tsavo safari covers three of southern Kenya’s great parks: Amboseli National Park, for elephant herds against the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro; Tsavo West National Park, for volcanic landscapes and the crystal-clear pools of Mzima Springs; and Tsavo East National Park, for its open plains and red elephants, coloured by the park’s red dust.
Quick Answer
The Amboseli and Tsavo safari is a private 5-day, 4-night trip from Nairobi with The Out Of Africa Experience. It includes 2 nights in Amboseli, 1 night in Tsavo West and 1 night in Tsavo East, with all meals and game drives in a private 4WD vehicle, then a return to Nairobi on the SGR Madaraka Express train (about 4–5 hours).
Instead of a long drive back to Nairobi on the final day, you ride the SGR Madaraka Express, Kenya’s modern standard gauge railway. The views from the train are good, and you may spot wildlife on the way.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West together form one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife areas, and they see far fewer vehicles than the Maasai Mara. This Amboseli and Tsavo safari suits travellers who want quieter game viewing, wide-open landscapes and an easy journey home. The Out Of Africa Experience is a Nairobi-based safari operator that has run private safaris since 2005, and we can adjust this itinerary to your dates and interests.
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Start / End
Nairobi
Parks
Amboseli · Tsavo West · Tsavo East
Return
SGR train, Voi – Nairobi
Amboseli and Tsavo Safari Highlights
🐘 Elephant herds against snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli
💧 Hippos and crocodiles from the underwater viewing chamber at Mzima Springs
🌋 Volcanic hills and lava flows in Tsavo West
🔴 Tsavo East’s famous red elephants
🚆 A relaxing return to Nairobi on the SGR Madaraka Express
🚙 Far fewer vehicles than the Maasai Mara
Amboseli and Tsavo Safari Itinerary: Day by Day
Tap each day to see the details.
Day 1: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park & Afternoon Game Drive
🛏 Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (All Meals)
Your Amboseli and Tsavo safari begins when your driver-guide picks you up from your Nairobi hotel or home, or meets you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The drive to Amboseli National Park takes about 4–5 hours. You game drive on the way in, arriving at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in time for lunch. After a rest, take an afternoon game drive until sunset.
Day 2: Full Day on Game Drives in Amboseli
🛏 Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (All Meals)
Choose between two options:
- A full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the park, which gives you the most time with the elephants and Kilimanjaro views
- Separate morning and afternoon game drives, with lunch back at the lodge
Look for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos in the swamps and, with luck, lions and cheetahs.
About Amboseli National Park: Amboseli lies at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres, just across the border in Tanzania. Snowmelt from the mountain feeds the park’s swamps, which support some of Africa’s best-studied elephant herds. It’s the best place in Kenya for the classic photo of an elephant in front of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Day 3: Amboseli – Tsavo West & Mzima Springs
🛏 Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge (All Meals)
After breakfast, the Amboseli and Tsavo safari continues to Tsavo West National Park. You game drive on the way in, arriving at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, take a game drive that includes Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear spring water rises from beneath old lava flows and you can watch hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing chamber.
About Tsavo West National Park: A park of volcanic hills, lava flows and springs fed by the Chyulu Hills. As well as Mzima Springs, it’s known for its leopards, lesser kudu and dramatic scenery. Kilaguni Serena overlooks a waterhole where elephants and other animals come to drink, day and night.
Day 4: Early Game Drive – Tsavo East National Park
🛏 Overnight: Ashnil Aruba Lodge (All Meals)
Go out on an early-morning game drive, then return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, drive to Tsavo East National Park, game driving on the way in, and check in at Ashnil Aruba Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, take a game drive to look for Tsavo’s red elephants, lions and large buffalo herds.
About Tsavo East National Park: One of Kenya’s largest national parks, with open plains, the Galana River and the Yatta Plateau, one of the world’s longest lava flows. Its elephants are coloured red from dust-bathing in the park’s red soil. Ashnil Aruba Lodge overlooks the Aruba Dam, which attracts wildlife throughout the dry season.
Day 5: Final Game Drive – SGR Train to Nairobi
Take a final early-morning game drive, then return to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards, we take you to Voi station for the SGR Madaraka Express train to Nairobi, which takes about 4–5 hours. Our representative meets you at the Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau and takes you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is close by, for your flight home.
End of your Amboseli and Tsavo safari.
What’s Included in This Amboseli and Tsavo Safari
✓ Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, home or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
✓ Private 4WD safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and a professional driver-guide
✓ 4 nights on safari with all meals
✓ Game drives in Amboseli, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, including a visit to Mzima Springs
✓ Transfer to Voi station and an SGR Madaraka Express ticket to Nairobi
✓ Transfer from the Nairobi Terminus to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Amboseli and Tsavo Safari: Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Amboseli and Tsavo safari?
5 days and 4 nights: 2 nights at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, 1 night at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in Tsavo West and 1 night at Ashnil Aruba Lodge in Tsavo East, returning to Nairobi by SGR train on day 5.
What is the difference between Tsavo East and Tsavo West?
Tsavo West is hillier and greener, with volcanic scenery, Mzima Springs and good leopard sightings. Tsavo East is flatter and drier, with wide plains, the Galana River and its well-known red elephants. Visiting both shows you two very different sides of the same ecosystem.
Why return to Nairobi by train?
The SGR Madaraka Express is faster and more comfortable than driving back from Tsavo East. It also gives you a relaxing end to the safari, with views of the countryside and the chance to see wildlife on the way.
What time should I book my flight home?
The train usually reaches Nairobi in the afternoon or early evening. We recommend booking an international flight that departs in the late evening or at night. Our team can confirm the current train schedule when you book.
Is Tsavo good for a first safari?
Yes, especially if you want to avoid crowds. Tsavo has far fewer vehicles than the Maasai Mara. Combined with Amboseli’s elephants and Kilimanjaro views, this route gives you varied wildlife and scenery in five days.
When is the best time for an Amboseli and Tsavo safari?
The dry seasons, from June to October and January to February, are best. Animals gather around water sources, and Kilimanjaro is more often clear. The safari runs all year.
Want to add the Maasai Mara? See our Kilimanjaro to the Mara 7-Day Kenya Safari, or combine safari and beach with our Bush & Beach Safari Package by Air.
Book Your Amboseli and Tsavo Safari by Train
Contact our Nairobi team or use the Plan My Trip form. We reply within 24 hours, and every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, group size and budget.
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