A 12-day safari to Kenya's southern national parks and wilderness areas visiting Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru national parks and the Masai Mara National reserve.

The necklace of national parks that lies along Kenya’s southern border is home to an unrivalled abundance and diversity of wildlife.

From the vast herds of Wildebeestand Zebra, that crowd the Masai Mara, to the Elephants that wander Amboseli and Tsavo’s brick-red wilderness areas, this beautiful region of East Africa still protects some of the largest herds left on the continent and gives a rare glimpse into the Africa of old.

Kenya is also predator country; the abundance of prey supporting Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards and Wild Dogs, plus numerous eagles and other birds that move south into the country to escape the northern winter.

This abundance of life is backed by an equally spectacular landscape, the vast flat lands of the Masai Mara contrasting with the rolling dry hills of Tsavo natioal parks and the acacia woodlands of Amboseli national park, the latter watched over by the towering snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa!

Our tour begins with a flight into Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital city. From here we drive to Tsavo West National Park for a 2- night stay. Tsavo West, when combined with neighbouring Tsavo East National Park, jointly protects over 20,800 square kilometres and forms one of Africa’s largest conservation areas. Tsavo is a place of wide horizons and undulating, acacia-covered plains dotted with graceful parties of Giraffes and herds of Elephant and Zebra. Only two permanent rivers bring water to this vast area, and so it has a more arid feel to it than the other reserves we will be visiting on this holiday. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful area for mammals, birds and other wildlife, and we can expect to see our first herds of game including Masai Giraffe, Thompson’s Gazelle, Impala and Buffalo and perhaps even our first Lion or Cheetah. Indeed, the Lions of Tsavo are descendants of the legendary ‘Man-eaters of Tsavo’ who brought the building of the Nairobi to Mombasa railroad to a standstill at the beginning of the last century. Tsavo is also well known for its ‘red Elephants’ and herds of these red-earth-dusted giants will be a familiar sight as we explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives. During our stay in Tsavo we will also visit the crystal clear waters of Mzima Springs. Here underground spring water has formed a series of forest-fringed freshwater pools into which an underwater glass observation tank has been built. From this uniquely aquatic viewpoint we can watch Hippos swimming underwater along with crocodiles and various fish.

Next we will spend two nights in Amboseli National Park, which sits beneath the towering cone of Mount Kilimanjaro and is one of the country’s most scenic reserves. Amboseli’s acacia-dotted plains and dry rolling grasslands support Elephant, Masai Giraffe, Burchell’s Zebra, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Thompson’s Gazelle and numerous birds including Bateleur, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Tacazze Sunbird and White-fronted Bee-eater. Then, moving north-westwards, we spend two nights at the spectacular Lake Nakuru National Park where up to two million Greater and Lesser Flamingoes crowd the fringes of the lake. This is undoubtedly one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles and a wonderful back-drop to the park’s other wildlife which includes both Black and White Rhino, Leopard and the rare Rothchild’s Giraffe.

Past client comments.

"Overall an excellent trip. Highlights were 7 cheetah in one day at the Mara, including a mother with 3 subadult cubs...The guides, were very knowledgeable and good at identifying birds. Not afraid to correct himself later. Very personable... Driver guide Peter was superb, polite, fun, friendly, informative and punctual (and drove well)...overall fantastic trip." K.R., Manchester.

"Martha was an excellent guide, very friendly and approachable and her identification skills were outstanding. She always ensured that everyone was given every opportunity to see the birds, especially if there were species that an individual particularly wanted to see or had previously missed...Our driver guide, Francis, was excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable, always responding to our requests, however the welfare of nature was always his first concern and was to be commended... Overall this was an excellent holiday and more than lived up to expectations. We would have no hesitation in recommending Mbango Safaris and we are already planning our next holiday with you." R & G.D., Surrey.

"Overall an excellent and memorable holiday. The itinerary was well selected and gave us opportunities to view an extremely varied and interesting selection of wildlife. Special mention to the guide, P.K, whose knowledge and experience of the area, as well as his more general abilities to converse on a range of subjects related to his own experiences, made him an extremely valuable companion on the trip. The accommodation and service were, in the main, excellent...All in all a wonderful experience, and we would hope to travel again with Mbango Safaris in the future." R.,S.,H. & A.B., Winchester .

"It was a trip of a lifetime and to have the chance to go on safari and see game and be amongst them was superb. It more than met my expectations. Mercy knowledge of the area, wildlife and habitat made each day even more interesting. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mbango Safaris." B.J., Northumberland.

Tour reports, tour price, detailed tour plan and how to book your place. For past tour reports, tour price, detailed tour plan and in order to book a place on this holiday, please call us now on 00 254 20 600 14 54. Alternatively, fill our online booking form or email us: safaris@mbangosafaris.com  and we will get back to you with further details and to reserve the tour for you.

Explore beyond.

Kenya coast: Wrap up the wildlife safari by visiting Kenya's east coast, world renowned for its white sand beaches.
Rwanda: After exploring the legacy that Karen Blixen left behind, travel to Rwanda to walk in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and meet the gentle "gorillas in the mist".
Zanzibar or Lamu:  Combing wildlife and beach adventure - end the wildlife tour with pampering stay on nearby Lamu or Zanzibar Island.