Amboseli, Tsavo West & East By Train: 5-Day Kenya 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
• Tsavo East National Park, for its open plains and red elephants, coloured by the park’s red dust

Instead of a long drive back to Nairobi on the final day, you ride the SGR Madaraka Express train, 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 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.

Amboseli and Tsavo Safari Itinerary: Day by Day

Day 1: Drive from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park and Take an Afternoon Game Drive

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.
Dinner and overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Day 2: Spend a Full Day on Game Drives in Amboseli

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.
All meals and overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

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 is the best place in Kenya for the classic photo of an elephant in front of snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

Day 3: Drive from Amboseli to Tsavo West and Visit Mzima Springs

After breakfast, drive 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. Here, crystal-clear spring water rises from beneath old lava flows, and you can watch hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing chamber.
All meals and overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

About Tsavo West National Park: Tsavo West is a park of volcanic hills, lava flows and springs fed by the Chyulu Hills. As well as Mzima Springs, it is 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: Take an Early Game Drive and Drive to Tsavo East

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.
All meals and overnight: Ashnil Aruba Lodge

About Tsavo East National Park: Tsavo East is 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: Take a Final Game Drive and Return to Nairobi on the SGR Train

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Book Your Amboseli, Tsavo West & Tsavo East 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.