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Day 1
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Journey overview
About this safari
Travel from Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast into four contrasting protected areas on this private six-day safari: Shimba Hills National Reserve, Tsavo East National Park, Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Park.
The journey begins in the green coastal highlands of Shimba Hills National Reserve, where rolling grassland meets one of East Africa’s important coastal-forest ecosystems. Kenya Wildlife Service identifies Shimba Hills as the home of Kenya’s last breeding herd of sable antelope. The reserve also protects elephants, forest wildlife, rich birdlife, panoramic viewpoints and Sheldrick Falls.
From Shimba Hills, continue inland to Tsavo East, Kenya’s largest national park. Tsavo East is famous for dust-red elephants and enormous semi-arid landscapes. The Galana River, open plains and the Yatta Plateau—described by KWS as the world’s longest lava flow—create a striking contrast between riverine habitat and volcanic geology.
Two nights in Amboseli provide time to search for large elephant herds, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, predators and more than 400 recorded bird species. When cloud conditions cooperate, Mount Kilimanjaro rises beyond the plains to create one of East Africa’s best-known safari views. Kilimanjaro is across the border in Tanzania, and visibility can never be guaranteed.
The final safari night is in Tsavo West, a rugged volcanic landscape of lava flows, hills, springs and dense bush. Highlights can include Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow and viewpoints across the wider Tsavo ecosystem. KWS describes Mzima Springs as one of the park’s signature attractions and a major freshwater source for Kenya’s coastal region.
The safari is operated privately in a pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser unless another vehicle is confirmed. Accommodation can be quoted at Economy, Standard or Luxury level. Greatlink Safaris uses a personalised quotation because conservation fees, traveller category, accommodation, season and group size all affect the final cost.
Official conservation information is available from the KWS Shimba Hills page, KWS Tsavo East page, KWS Amboseli page and KWS Tsavo West page.
Safari highlights
Why travellers choose this journey
- Shimba Hills: explore coastal forest, grassland and the habitat of Kenya’s last breeding sable-antelope herd.
- Optional Sheldrick Falls experience: request a guided hike when trail, weather and KWS operating conditions permit.
- Tsavo East red elephants: search for elephants coloured by the park’s distinctive red soil.
- Yatta Plateau: experience the vast volcanic landscape associated with the world’s longest lava flow.
- Two nights in Amboseli: allow more time for elephant herds, wetlands, birdlife and changing Kilimanjaro conditions.
- Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop: enjoy possible views of Africa’s highest mountain when skies are clear.
- Tsavo West: explore volcanic terrain, Mzima Springs, wildlife and dramatic viewpoints.
- Shetani Lava Flow: see one of Tsavo West’s best-known volcanic features where routing allows.
- Coast-to-coast convenience: start and finish at the agreed Mombasa/coastal hotel.
Perfect forCouples, families, first-time safari travellers and Kenya Coast holidaymakers who want a compact private wildlife circuit without flying back through Nairobi.
Journey flow
Where this safari takes you
See the route in travel order, from the first stop to the final destination. Each stage connects directly to the detailed destination guide where available.
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Day 1
Shimba Hills National Reserve
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Day 6
Finish
Mombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari beginsMombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari endsMombasa / Kenya Coast
Safari Types
How this journey is designed
These categories describe the style of safari you are booking.
Day by day
Your safari itinerary
Open each day to view the route, activities, meals, transport and accommodation details.
Meet your Greatlink Safaris driver-guide at the agreed coastal hotel and drive southwest toward Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale County.
Enter the reserve and begin the first wildlife drive through a striking mosaic of coastal rainforest, woodland and grassland. The principal wildlife focus is the sable antelope, for which Shimba Hills is nationally important, together with elephant, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, smaller mammals and forest and grassland birds.
Arrive at the confirmed lodge or safari accommodation for lunch and check-in. Return to the reserve in the afternoon for further game viewing and panoramic hill-country scenery.
Where requested and operationally practical, a guided Sheldrick Falls hike can be added, but this requires separate confirmation because timing, weather and KWS trail conditions can affect access.
Continue game viewing until late afternoon before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationShimba Hills/Kwale safari lodge or camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsLunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drives ActivitiesCoastal highland scenery; sable-antelope search; elephants; forest birding; optional Sheldrick Falls hike
After breakfast, check out and drive inland toward Tsavo East National Park.
Enter through the most suitable gate for the confirmed route and begin game viewing en route to the lodge or tented camp. Tsavo East is known for enormous semi-arid landscapes, red-earth plains and elephants that often take on the colour of the park’s soil.
After lunch and a short rest, return for an afternoon game drive. Depending on routing, explore areas associated with the Galana River and broad views toward the Yatta Plateau.
Search for elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, antelope, predators and prolific birdlife until late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in the Tsavo East area.
AccommodationTsavo East lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drives ActivitiesTsavo East red elephants; Yatta Plateau scenery; Galana ecosystem; afternoon wildlife drive
After breakfast, check out and enjoy final wildlife viewing as you leave Tsavo East.
Travel toward Amboseli National Park, passing through changing dry-country landscapes and rural areas. Any community interaction is included only when pre-arranged rather than treating local homesteads as a roadside attraction.
Arrive in the Amboseli area for lunch and check-in.
In the afternoon, begin the first Amboseli game drive. Search for large elephant herds moving between open plains and swamp habitats, together with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, antelope and predators.
If the sky is clear, Mount Kilimanjaro may form a dramatic backdrop. Continue until late afternoon before returning for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationAmboseli lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drive ActivitiesScenic Tsavo–Amboseli transfer; elephant herds; wetlands; birds; Kilimanjaro when visible
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli with your private driver-guide.
The programme can be arranged as separate early-morning and afternoon drives with a midday lodge break, or as a longer full-day safari with a picnic lunch.
Early morning can provide favourable light and a possible clear Kilimanjaro view. Search the open plains and swamp systems for elephant families, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and predators.
Amboseli is also an excellent birding destination, with more than 400 recorded bird species. Where routing permits, include Observation Hill for elevated views across the basin.
Return to the lodge or camp for dinner and the second Amboseli overnight.
AccommodationSame Amboseli lodge or tented camp. MealsBreakfast; Lunch or picnic lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser ActivitiesMorning/afternoon or full-day game drive; elephants; birding; Observation Hill when practical
Begin with an early Amboseli game drive when practical, return for breakfast, check out and travel toward Tsavo West National Park.
The route enters a dramatic volcanic landscape influenced by the nearby Chyulu Hills. Arrive for lunch and check-in.
Spend the afternoon exploring Tsavo West. Depending on the lodge location, gate used and road conditions, the game drive can include Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow or panoramic viewpoints such as Poacher’s Lookout or Roaring Rocks.
Search for elephants, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, predators and birdlife. Rhinos occur in protected areas of the park but should never be treated as a guaranteed sighting.
Return for dinner and overnight.
AccommodationTsavo West lodge or tented camp — Economy, Standard or Luxury as confirmed. MealsBreakfast; Lunch; Dinner TransportPrivate 4x4 road transfer and game drive ActivitiesVolcanic scenery; Mzima Springs; Shetani Lava Flow where practical; wildlife viewing; viewpoints
Start with an early-morning game drive when the confirmed lodge and departure schedule permit, then return for breakfast and check out.
Continue wildlife viewing toward the exit gate, making the most of the final hours in the Tsavo ecosystem.
Lunch will be arranged en route or according to the confirmed transfer schedule.
Drive back toward Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and drop off at the agreed Mombasa or coastal hotel.
The six-day Shimba Hills, Tsavo and Amboseli safari ends at the hotel drop-off.
AccommodationNo accommodation included after the coastal drop-off unless separately requested. MealsBreakfast; Lunch TransportPrivate Tsavo West–Mombasa/Coast road transfer ActivitiesEarly game drive where practical; final Tsavo wildlife viewing; coastal return transfer
Shape your safari
Safari choices for your quotation
Select the options that interest you when requesting a quote. No fixed public price is shown because the final quotation depends on dates, traveller numbers, availability and your preferred travel style.
Accommodation
Good-value safari lodges or camps across Shimba Hills, Tsavo and Amboseli selected according to route, dates and availability.
Comfortable mid-range safari lodges or tented camps with the confirmed meal plan and practical access to the wildlife areas.
Premium safari lodges or tented camps selected for stronger location, service and overall comfort, subject to availability.
Experience
Optional guided Shimba Hills walk to Sheldrick Falls, subject to KWS requirements, weather, trail condition and available time.
Service
English-speaking guiding is standard. Another available language may be requested and is subject to guide availability.
Before you travel
Know before you go
Shimba Hills sable antelope: the reserve is nationally important because Kenya’s remaining breeding sable population is concentrated in the Shimba ecosystem. Sightings remain subject to wildlife movement and are not guaranteed.
Sheldrick Falls: a guided trail to the falls can be requested but is not assumed in the standard drive-only itinerary. Hiking depends on weather, KWS requirements, time and current trail conditions.
Tsavo East: the Yatta Plateau is a volcanic landform commonly described by KWS as the world’s longest lava flow. Wildlife is widely dispersed in this large park, so the safari is built around habitat and current sightings rather than a guaranteed species list.
Amboseli: Mount Kilimanjaro visibility depends on cloud, haze and weather. Early mornings can be favourable, but a clear view is never guaranteed.
Tsavo West: Mzima Springs is fed by underground water from the Chyulu Hills system and contributes to freshwater supply for the coastal region. Access to particular attractions depends on road conditions and the day’s route.
Road times: distances and drive times are approximate. Mombasa traffic, roadworks, weather, park gates, game-viewing stops and lodge location can change the actual journey.
Wildlife: all animals are free-ranging. No sable antelope, elephant herd, lion, leopard, rhino or other individual species can be guaranteed.
National-park entry: KWS-managed park payments are processed through the official KWS eCitizen platform. Greatlink Safaris calculates the correct fees using the traveller categories supplied at quotation stage.
Included
What is included
- Private pick-up from the agreed Mombasa or Kenya Coast hotel on Day 1.
- Private safari transport throughout the itinerary in a pop-up-roof 4x4 Land Cruiser unless another vehicle is confirmed.
- Services of an experienced professional English-speaking driver-guide. Other guide languages can be requested subject to availability.
- One night in the Shimba Hills/Kwale safari area.
- One night in or near Tsavo East National Park.
- Two nights in the Amboseli area.
- One night in or near Tsavo West National Park.
- Accommodation in the confirmed Economy, Standard or Luxury category.
- Meals shown in the itinerary: Day 1 lunch and dinner; Days 2–5 breakfast, lunch and dinner; Day 6 breakfast and lunch.
- Shimba Hills National Reserve conservation/entry fees for the included wildlife drive.
- Tsavo East National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drives.
- Amboseli National Park conservation/entry fees for the included safari days.
- Tsavo West National Park conservation/entry fees for the included game drives.
- All game drives described in the confirmed itinerary.
- Drinking water in the safari vehicle during Greatlink Safaris road transfers and game drives.
- Private transfer to the agreed Mombasa/Coast hotel at the end of Day 6.
- Emergency medical evacuation cover where expressly included in the confirmed quotation and subject to provider terms.
- Applicable Kenyan government taxes and statutory local levies for the services specifically included.
Not included
What is excluded
- International, regional or domestic flights unless specifically added.
- Kenya entry authorization, visa, passport or immigration costs applicable to the traveller.
- Mombasa/Coast accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 6 unless separately included.
- Breakfast on Day 1 unless already included by the traveller’s coastal hotel.
- Comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, baggage and personal-accident insurance.
- Alcoholic drinks, premium beverages, soft drinks and lodge/camp beverages not included by the selected meal plan.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, lodge staff, porters and other service teams.
- Laundry, spa treatments, telephone calls, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
- Guided Sheldrick Falls hike unless specifically included in the final quotation.
- Any cultural/community visit not expressly confirmed in advance.
- Accommodation, vehicle or room upgrades beyond the confirmed category.
- Additional services resulting from voluntary itinerary changes after confirmation.
- Costs arising from severe weather, road closure, park closure, government restrictions or other circumstances beyond the operator’s reasonable control except where applicable supplier terms provide otherwise.
