The Southern Comfort Safari
3 Nights / 4 Days Safari: Amboseli & Tsavo National Parks with Serena Lodges
Nairobi → Tsavo West → Amboseli → Nairobi
Safari Overview
This 3-night, 4-day safari combines two of Kenya’s most iconic southern parks — the vast, volcanic wilderness of Tsavo West National Park and the elephant-rich plains of Amboseli National Park — while staying at the renowned Serena Safari Lodges. Guests will enjoy spectacular game viewing, dramatic landscapes including lava flows and crystal-clear springs, and the unforgettable sight of Amboseli’s elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
| Safari Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Nights / 4 Days |
| Destinations | Tsavo West National Park, Amboseli National Park |
| Accommodation | Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge (2 nights), Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge (1 night) |
| Safari Vehicle | Custom 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Best For | First-time safari travelers, families, couples, photographers |
| Minimum | 2 pax |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo West National Park
07:30 hrs – Meet your Beyond Kenya Safaris representative at your Nairobi hotel lobby. After an introduction to your dedicated Safari Driver Guide and a pre-safari briefing, depart for Tsavo West National Park.
The drive takes you through the scenic Kenyan countryside, descending into the vast Tsavo ecosystem. Arrive at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge in the early afternoon, in time for a welcome lunch.
About Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge: Set in the lee of Mount Kilimanjaro and sheltered by the volcanic splendor of the Chyulu Hills, this classic stone-built lodge is one of the first lodges ever built inside a Kenyan national park. The lodge overlooks its own wildlife-rich waterhole, visited daily by elephants, buffalo, and a wide variety of plains game .
16:00 hrs – Afternoon game viewing drive in Tsavo West National Park. The park offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world, with large herds of dusty-red elephants, hippopotamus, giant crocodiles, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo. The “Big Five” can all be seen in Tsavo, along with lion, cheetah, and leopard. Birdlife is abundant with over 600 recorded species .
Return to the lodge in time for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Full Day in Tsavo West National Park
06:00 hrs – Early morning game drive, the best time to spot predators and observe the park waking up. Tsavo West’s varied terrain includes open savannah, acacia woodlands, and volcanic landscapes.
08:30 hrs – Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Mid-morning – Visit Mzima Springs, one of Tsavo West’s most iconic attractions. Crystal-clear waters fed by underground streams from the Chyulu Hills create a lush oasis where hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of fish can be observed from an underwater viewing chamber .
Other key attractions to explore include:
- Shetani Lava Flow: A dramatic black lava field stretching 8 kilometers, a remnant of volcanic eruptions just 240 years ago
- Roaring Rocks: A scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the park’s rugged topography
- Chaimu Crater: A volcanic hill with panoramic views across the park
- Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary: A protected haven for the critically endangered black rhinoceros
13:00 hrs – Lunch at the lodge, followed by time to relax and enjoy the waterhole views from the terrace.
16:00 hrs – Afternoon game viewing drive.
17:30 hrs – Sundowner on Lion Rock: An iconic safari tradition, this experience begins with an evening game drive and ends atop Lion Rock — historically a favoured lookout for the infamous man-eating lions of Tsavo — with full bar service and cocktail snacks against sweeping views of Tsavo West .
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Tsavo West to Amboseli National Park
08:00 hrs – After breakfast and check-out, depart for Amboseli National Park, with game viewing en-route. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours through the scenic southern Kenyan landscape .
Arrive at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in time for lunch.
About Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge: Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park. The Maasai-themed lodge features tranquil water gardens, hand-painted wildlife murals, and a terrace with a blazing firepit ideal for cocktails under the stars .
Afternoon at leisure – Relax and soak in magnificent views of the park from your room veranda or enjoy a swim in the lodge’s swimming pool.
16:00 hrs – Afternoon game-viewing drive in Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is famous for its large herds of elephants, including iconic “super tuskers,” and offers spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear mornings. Elephant are a dominant presence; they are tracked almost constantly by researchers and have largely escaped the ravages of 1980s poaching. Here you may spot some of the older tuskers lumbering before the backdrop of Kilimanjaro .
18:00 hrs – Drive back to the lodge in time to refresh for dinner.
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Amboseli to Nairobi & Departure
06:00 hrs – Optional early morning game drive, offering the best chances of seeing Kilimanjaro clearly before clouds gather. The park’s open plains make wildlife easy to spot, and morning light creates exceptional photography conditions .
08:30 hrs – Return to the lodge for breakfast.
10:00 hrs – Check out and depart for Nairobi, with a final game drive en-route as you exit the park.
13:00 hrs – Arrive in Nairobi. Drop off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward departure.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
- Pick up from your Nairobi hotel, Meet & Greet, and Pre-Safari briefing
- Three nights on full board basis at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge and Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
- Safari transport and game drives in a custom-made 4x4WD Safari Land Cruiser on exclusive use
- Services of a Professional Safari Driver Guide
- Park entrance fees
- Farewell lunch at Café Maghreb Restaurant, compliments of Serena Hotels
- Airport transfers as per itinerary
What’s Not Included
- International flights and visa entry charges to Kenya
- All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips/gratuities, personal travel insurance
- Optional activities and cultural visits
Why Choose This Safari?
- Two Iconic Parks: Experience the volcanic drama of Tsavo West and the elephant paradise of Amboseli in one seamless itinerary
- Serena Hospitality: Stay at two of Kenya’s most storied safari lodges, each offering exceptional service and prime wildlife viewing
- Big Five Potential: Both parks offer opportunities to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino (in Tsavo’s Ngulia Sanctuary)
- Kilimanjaro Views: Amboseli offers the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro from any Kenyan park
- Unique Experiences: Lion Rock sundowners, Mzima Springs underwater viewing, and Amboseli’s famous red elephants
Ready to book? Contact Beyond Kenya Safaris to reserve your 3 Nights / 4 Days Amboseli & Tsavo Serena Safari. Our safari experts will tailor every detail to create your perfect Kenyan adventure.