6-Day Amboseli, Tsavo West, & Taita Hills Big Five Photographic Safari

Nairobi, Amboseli, Tsavo & Taita

Rates From $2,250

About This Tour

A steady rhythm defines this photographic journey through the diverse ecosystems of Southern Kenya. The route moves from the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro into the ancient volcanic landscapes and open plains of the Tsavo region. It is designed for travellers who appreciate varied scenery and the quiet patience required for wildlife photography.

The journey connects four distinct wilderness areas in a logical sequence. It begins with the iconic elephant herds of Amboseli, then transitions to the rugged hills of Tsavo West and Taita. The circuit concludes in the wide, red-earth expanses of Tsavo East, offering a complete perspective of Kenya’s southern conservation corridor.

The pace remains balanced, allowing for deep immersion in each landscape. Comfortable lodges provide reliable rest points between morning and afternoon game drives. This safari feels grounded and intentional, focusing on the land’s natural flow and its wildlife.

Our Community Impact

This safari prioritises partnerships with lodges that employ from local communities. These operations provide stable livelihoods and support local education and health initiatives. By visiting these regions, the journey contributes directly to the economic stability of the people living alongside these wilderness areas.

Our Sustainability Promise

We select lodges that demonstrate a commitment to low-impact operations and conservation. This includes properties that use renewable energy and manage waste responsibly. A portion of every park fee paid goes toward the long-term protection of these fragile southern Kenya ecosystems.

Why This Safari Works

The itinerary follows a natural geographic flow, reducing travel fatigue. It starts near Nairobi and moves through connected conservation areas, ensuring more time is spent in the wild rather than on transit roads. The routing offers a diverse range of backdrops for photography, from wetlands to volcanic hills.

The balance of activities is steady and restorative. By staying two nights in Amboseli, the trip allows guests to settle into the safari rhythm before moving through the Tsavo parks. This structure suits travellers who prefer a grounded road-based journey with consistent comfort.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • All-Inclusive
  • Big Five Experience
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Game Drives
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
  • Photographic Safari
  • Private Safari
  • Road Transfer
  • Vegan Options Available

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
  • Day 2: Amboseli National Park
  • Day 3: Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park
  • Day 4: Tsavo West to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Day 5: Taita Hills to Tsavo East National Park
  • Day 6: Tsavo East to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Amboseli National Park
  • Tsavo West National Park
  • Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Tsavo East National Park

Where You Stay

  • Tawi Lodge, Amboseli (2 nights)
  • Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Tsavo West (1 night)
  • Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Taita Hills (1 night)
  • Satao Camp, Tsavo East (1 night)

Safari Highlights

  • Elephant herds under Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Dust-red elephants of Tsavo East
  • Ancient volcanic lava flows in Tsavo West
  • Panoramic views from Taita Hills
  • Crystal clear waters of Mzima Springs
  • Elevated views from Salt Lick Lodge
  • Golden light on the southern plains
  • Diverse birdlife in varied habitats

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Itinerary Highlights

  • Views of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Large herds of elephants
  • Swamp-dwelling wildlife

Itinerary information

The journey begins with a drive to the Amboseli plains. The landscape is dominated by the massive presence of Kilimanjaro, which provides a dramatic backdrop for photography. Elephants are often seen wading through the central marshes. The rhythm here is calm, with morning and afternoon game drives focused on the plains and wetlands.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tawi Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Rugged volcanic landscapes
  • Natural springs and hippos
  • Ancient Shetani lava flows

Itinerary information

The safari moves into the hilly terrain of Tsavo West. The environment shifts to thick acacia woodland and volcanic cones. A visit to the clear pools of Mzima Springs offers a chance to observe hippos and fish from an underwater hide. The atmosphere is wild and prehistoric, with rocky outcrops defining the horizon.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Private sanctuary exclusivity
  • Salt lick wildlife sightings
  • Elevated photography angles

Itinerary information

A short drive leads to the Taita Hills, a private sanctuary nestled between the Tsavo parks. The landscape features rolling hills and grassy valleys. Wildlife often gathers at the waterholes near the lodge, allowing for close-range observation. The pace is gentle, focusing on the unique architecture and views of the sanctuary.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Vast open savannahs
  • Iconic red-earth landscapes
  • Quiet, uncrowded game drives

Itinerary information

The route enters the expansive plains of Tsavo East, known for its vast size and reddish soil. The light here is particularly beautiful in the late afternoon. Wildlife movements are influenced by the seasonal rivers and waterholes. The day feels open and unhurried as the safari moves across the dry savannah.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Satao Camp

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final morning game drive
  • Scenic return journey

Itinerary information

The safari concludes with a final game drive before the return journey to Nairobi. The drive back offers a chance to reflect on the changing landscapes of the southern circuit. The trip ends with a transfer to the airport or your Nairobi hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: None

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We designed this southern circuit to offer photographers the best variety of light and landscapes, from the snows of Kilimanjaro to the red soils of Tsavo East. ❞

~Johnbow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

Season2 Guests4 Guest6 Guests
July to October 2026USD 2760USD 2375USD 2250

Important Rate Notes

  • Rates vary based on availability and rooming choices at the time of booking.
  • Single room supplements will apply for solo travellers.
  • Lodge substitution of a similar standard may occur if the listed properties are full.
  • Child policies differ across lodges and will be confirmed during the booking process.

What's Included

  • Transportation in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
  • Accommodation for 5 nights in selected lodges and camps
  • Game Drives
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary (Full Board)
  • All national park and sanctuary entry fees
  • Airport transfers in Nairobi
  • Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide

Optional Addons

  • Hot air balloon safari in Amboseli
  • Guided nature walks in Taita Hills
  • Bush breakfast or dinner experiences
  • Night game drives in the private sanctuary

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Kenya entry visa fees and travel insurance
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with meals
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Personal laundry and telephone calls
  • Early check-in or late check-out at lodges

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the vehicle has a pop-up roof and window seats are guaranteed for optimal camera angles in all parks.
Most transfers between these southern parks are manageable, typically ranging between three and five hours through scenic areas.
While sightings are never guaranteed, these parks are home to all five species, including the famous red elephants of Tsavo.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

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Dorcas Munga profile picture
Dorcas Munga
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Great planning and communication. My trips have been smooth. All expectations met 💯
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Mike Bourassa profile picture
Mike Bourassa
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Our driver, Patrick, made the experience even more special with his outgoing personality and his knowledge of each park. He always made certain that he positioned his vehicle just right so we could get a perfect photo. He shared a lot about African culture an answered our questions. His keen eye spotted a cheetah from a long distance and we experienced the animal stalk and catch his prey (only to have a hyena steal it from him at the end). The accommodations were excellent at Massai Mara but were a bit too primitive at Amboseli. The large openings between the sleeping area and the bathroom brought way too many bugs into the tent. Wonderful memories of the entire experience!! We hope to come back next year and Patrick will be our choice of guide.
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Kate Mandere
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Wonderful team, very warm, helpful and well coordinated!
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Emmy Chepkoech
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I recently booked my 1st trip with Johnbow Tours and Travel and it was an outstanding experience from the start to finish. The team was professional, well-organised, helpful and incredibly friendly. Transfer to my hotel room and back was handled smoothly allowing us to relax and enjoy our journey. The fact that they allow lipa mdogo mdogo was not overwhelming paying for the package...I can't wait to book again with Johnbow 😊
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Gloria Kikete
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Jonbow has offers seamless travel service with a personal touch.
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Lolo Chgn
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Safaris de 5 jours depart Nairobi et arrivée à Diani beach Visite des parcs d’amboseli, tsavo ouest et est , t.hills Découverte d une faune magnifique Notre chauffeur Chombo a tout fait pour rechercher les animaux et il était à notre écoute ! Dépaysement total garanti Les hôtels étaient tout confort avec des conditions d’alimentation en eau et électricité précaire ! Nous remercions vraiment Morris et Chombo pour ce magnifique Safari
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Irene Nduku
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Excellent services, the team was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond to meet my need.Their service was prompt and effective. I highly recommend
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Cheyenne van den B profile picture
Cheyenne van den B
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We had a two day tour with Johnbow Tours & Travel to Tsavo West. The park itself is not that good to be honest, but we stayed at Salt Lick lodge and that was amazing. The animals are coming so close to the lodge, it is really beautiful to see. The driver Pius was also really nice and he had a lot of knowledge about the animals. I have been in contact with Morris and that was also really pleasant because of the arrangement we had.
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virginia mumo
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As a team of 12pax..we had an exceptional good experience with the Johnbow team. Well informed and humble team who contributed a lot to an enjoyable trip and creating memories.
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Stay06810033473
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Customer Servive Customer service was great!Communication was timely and effective especially as there were some flight changes.Either way the bookings were perfect, customer service was exceptional and we even got a treat for our anniversary, at no extra costElijah and Sam were very helpful.
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Annette M profile picture
Annette M
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Exceptional Experience with Johnbow Tours and Travel! I had an unforgettable trip to Bali and Thailand, the guides were amazing, the places beautiful and the itinerary on point. Bali has very many temples and beautiful rice terraces, the swings and sunset views unforgettable. thank you Johnbow for the tour.
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KSP
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Memorable Safari with a Great Team and Guide We had a really good experience with Johnbow Tours during our Kenya safari. Morris, our main point of contact, was communicative and professional throughout. He stayed in touch via WhatsApp both before and during the trip, answering all our questions quickly and clearly, which gave us a lot of confidence going in.The pricing felt fair for what we received, and the Land Cruiser was comfortable, especially considering the long drives. They also provided snacks at the start of the trip upon request, which was thoughtful.Our guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals and shared interesting facts about everything we saw. We had plenty of game drives and were lucky to spot a wide variety of wildlife.The only small issue was around water. We had been told water would be included throughout, but at a couple of the lodges, we were charged for drinking water, tea, or coffee during meals. It wasn’t a big deal, but having clarity on that from the start would’ve been helpful.Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable safari. The team was dependable, the schedule was well planned, and we felt taken care of from start to finish. I’d absolutely recommend Johnbow to anyone planning a private safari in Kenya.
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Alain V
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A great experience, a must for everyone who reads this Jonbow, our driver who has the same name as the agency, took very good care of us. He was on time for the appointment. Once on the road he was super attentive. In the park he was always the first to spot the game. He gave us very good explanations about all the animals we saw. No effort was too much to make us spot all the game. Super friendly and helpful guy. He operates from Mombasa/Diani Beach. He made sure that our safari will remain unforgettable.
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winnie a
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Dubai tour 2024 was a birthday gift to my son who turned lucky number seven. I writing to thank you for coordinating our trip to UAE, dubai. Everything was perfect; the flight, the hotel was clean and all staff were friendly and professional. Special thanks to Mary Gathua as she was the one who coordinated everything for us.The tour guides were excellent! They made things as easy for us as possible. I really appreciate these and that indicate the quality services that they provide.We had dubai town tour and our guide, Mr. Albert did exceptionally well. We learnt about the origin of UAE and the important features in dubai. We had dhow cruise with dinner, and the dessert safari with dinner.Desert safari was the best of the trip (the driver , Mr . Zaheer was very professional, and the overall experience was thrilling and amazing). The desert safari remains in my priority to do list when I visit dubai next.I would certainly recommend Johnbow Tours and travel to anyone wanting to visit Dubai. Thank you again and look forward to plan our next vacation with you.
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maryanne o
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Awesome Best tour company ..travelled to Dubai in Emirates .Booked the best hotel in Dubai..Johnbow staff are friendly and accommodatve I rate them10/10 they're affordable too .
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M A
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Superb service Happy New Year! Eunice managed our travel plans superbly, and I’m grateful. Our stay at Pride Inn was delightful; the staff’s service, food, attention, and entertainment made our holiday special and memorable. Thanks again for your excellent services.
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gladys n
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Efficient Eunice of John Bow ,was pretty helpful from getting us a hotel to SGR tickets, and transfers to the hotel.She also called to ensure we arrived safely.I loved the seamless process and especially because we chat on whatsapp mostly. Johnbow tours keep their word! I would choose them again.
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Christine N
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Awesome experience This travel company was very efficient. I engaged them on whatsapp in the morning and by afternoon they had finalised everything including the sgr tickets. Their staff Eunice was readily available even at night because we did night travel. And early morning at 4 am, she called to find out if the driver had picked us. I would recommend them anytime
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Sabina M
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It was a time of relaxation and fun. The trip was well planned from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. We had so much fun and took so many photos. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants and other animals. If we could do it again, we would still chose Johnbow tours and travel.
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