Elephant Safari: Summary
Elephant Safari in a nutshell
The Elephant Safari incorporates two of Kenya's best-loved national parks – Tsavo East and Tsavo West – and one of the best beaches in Africa. You'll cross the country from Nairobi to the coast and back again, taking in rolling savannah and dense woodland, vast plains, streams and lakes, as well as the contrasting atmosphere of Diani Beach on the country's southern tip.
You start with a light aircraft flight to Kilaguni Airstrip in the heart of Tsavo West National Park, staying at the delightful Severin Safari Camp. Set on the wooded plains near a seasonal waterhole, it's well-placed for watching birds and large mammals from the camp itself, with game drives and bush walks built into your itinerary, along with a trip to see the fabled hippos and crocs of Mzima Springs from an underwater hide. Along the way, lions, giraffes, zebras and buffalos, among many other species, will all be in your sights.
Driving east, you cross the Nairobi–Mombasa highway and the famous old Lunatic Line railway before reaching Satao Camp in a remote corner of Tsavo East National Park. Stay alert as you search the plains and rivers for leopards and cheetahs, crocodiles and antelopes – as well as magnificent, big-tusker elephants, coloured orange by the red earth.
South of Tsavo East, the altitude drops and the temperature climbs as you approach the Indian Ocean coast, with its white-sand beaches, warm, azure sea and offshore coral reef. Water Lovers is a charming, simple hotel, right on the beach, with great opportunities for water sports, including snorkelling, diving and windsurfing.
At a glance
| Starts: | JKI Airport Nairobi | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | Severin Safari Camp - Tsavo West National Park, Kenya | Full Board & Activities |
| 3 nights | Satao Camp - Tsavo East National Park, Kenya | Full Board & Activities |
| 4 nights | Water Lovers - Kenya Coast, Kenya | Half Board |
| Ends: | JKI Airport Nairobi |
Severin Safari Camp
Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
Satao Camp
Tsavo East National Park, Kenya
Water Lovers
Kenya Coast, Kenya
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Elephant Safari.
- Watching hippos from an underwater hide
- Tracking the vast Tsavo East in search of big tuskers
- Enjoying light aircraft and privately guided drives
- Revelling in luxury en-suite camping in the bush
- Relaxing on white-sand beaches by the Indian Ocean
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Elephant Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Guided walking safari
Private activities
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Key species to see on the Elephant Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Elephant Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
98% chance
98% chance
96% chance
89% chance
88% chance
73% chance
36% chance
28% chance
18% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
Plan and book your trip with Expert Africa
All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us plan and arrange your perfect trip.
Talk to an Expert
Call or email us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.
Set up your itinerary
Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.
Prepare for your trip
The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.
Travel with peace of mind
After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.
When you return
We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.
Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?
Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure
Inspire meOther ideas for Kenya trips
Look at these ideas in Kenya: then talk to us. Will will design a trip that's perfect for you.
Striped Hyena Safari
5 days • 3 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Just one example of a possible itinerary for keen walkers, this safari enables you to experience the sounds and sights of the bush, and its wildlife, in an unusually direct way.
Visiting Mara Conservancies
US$5,700 - US$6,990 per person
Big Cat Fly-in Safari
8 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Combining two of Kenya’s best wildlife-viewing areas, this slow-paced safari to the Lewa Conservancy and Maasai Mara guarantees iconic wildlife. The long-established, well-rated camps are great value, too.
Visiting Maasai Mara, Laikipia
US$7,770 - US$8,850 per person
Wahlberg's Eagle Fly-in Safari
6 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
A great value safari in Laikipia and the Maasai Mara that provides an immersive, authentic bush camp experience with activities for families of all ages.
Visiting Laikipia, Mara Conservancies
US$5,880 - US$6,450 per person
Steppe Eagle Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Two comfortable tented camps overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro and Mara River put you at the heart of the action. Experience spectacular diversity in species and habitat with safari in Samburu and the Masaai Mara National Reserve.
Visiting Maasai Mara, Samburu
US$7,260 - US$9,310 per person
Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari
7 days • 3 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Experience Amboseli and Laikipia during this economically priced safari. Two simple camps offer adventure before a stopover in Nairobi and a final stay in the charming, wildlife-rich Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge.
Visiting Laikipia, Nairobi and 1 other area
US$6,580 - US$6,580 per person
Tawny Eagle Fly-in Safari
7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Explore Laikipia and the Maasai Mara ecosystem with stays in the Ol Pejeta and Naboisho conservancies. Two smart yet authentically rustic bush camps provide a traditional safari experience, offering a high standard of guiding and excellent level of care.
Visiting Laikipia, Mara Conservancies
US$6,550 - US$8,630 per person
Hamerkop Fly-In Safari
8 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Different wildlife, contrasting camps and a whole host of activities, this is a safari for those wanting to get out and about and not just sit in a vehicle.
Visiting Laikipia, Mara Conservancies
US$7,430 - US$10,960 per person
Purple Grenadier Fly-In Safari
6 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Fantastic guiding from intimate, well-run mid-range tented camps, in superb conservancy locations: this safari is all about making the most of the incredible wildlife in Laikipia and the Maasai Mara.
Visiting Laikipia, Mara Conservancies
US$6,390 - US$8,800 per person
Lanner Falcon Fly-In Safari
8 days • 3 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Three sister camps offer access to wonderfully remote regions across northern Kenya and the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Enjoy an exclusive safari experience focused on great wildlife, superb guiding and considerable comfort, with a range of activities.
Visiting Samburu, Mara Conservancies and 1 other area
US$7,140 - US$8,400 per person
Peregrine Falcon Fly-In Safari
6 days • 2 locations • 1 country
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT
Discover two of Kenya’s quieter wildlife havens with visits to Meru National Park and Mara North Conservancy. Top-quality sister camps provide considerable comfort and a range of activities by which to explore the game-rich surroundings.
Visiting Mara Conservancies, Meru
US$7,840 - US$8,980 per person
Other holiday ideas across Africa
Talk to us: help us to understand what you like and we can create a holiday that will really suit you.
Flamingo Fly-in Safari
6 days • 3 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Short on time but big on experience, this luxury fly-in safari takes in Sossusvlei’s famous dunes and Etosha National Park’s captivating wildlife with stays at two excellent luxury lodges.
US$7,000 - US$7,000 per person
Turaco Safari
12 days • 4 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
This top-value holiday idea combines two safari areas with a week on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar. Photograph lions and elephants, then relax under the palms on a powder-sand beach.
US$6,190 - US$6,830 per person
Dune Lark Fly & Drive Safari
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
A combination fly-in self-drive exploration of Namibia, with quick, easy and scenic flights in and out of Sossusvlei before a classic road trip adventure of the country’s rugged north.
US$5,980 - US$5,980 per person
Pelican Fly & Drive Safari
10 days • 5 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
A unique itinerary visiting the must-see highlights combining the adventure of a classic Namibian self-drive with the ease and spectacular views of a fly-in safari.
US$8,910 - US$8,910 per person
Utaka Cichlid Safari
10 days • 3 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
Explore two of Malawi's safari parks - Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park - before finishing your trip with some beach time: relaxing, snorkelling and sailing in Lake Malawi National Park.
US$4,560 - US$5,700 per person
Red Colobus Monkey Safari
11 days • 3 locations
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT
This luxury holiday suggestion combines a wildlife safari in Ruaha National Park with a week on Zanzibar, exploring Stone Town’s narrow streets and relaxing on a palm-shaded beach.
US$6,660 - US$8,490 per person
Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari
18 days • 10 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
A truly epic southern African self-drive safari adventure from Namibia’s mountains and deserts, along the lush Caprivi Strip to Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, staying at luxury lodges throughout.
US$10,590 - US$10,590 per person
Cape Grysbok Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Explore Cape Town, Hermanus, Franschhoek and Namaqualand, amongst other memorable destinations, during this leisurely self-driven safari. Fine dining, varied activities and impressively comfortable lodges, estates and country houses await.
US$4,990 - US$7,520 per person
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Fine dining, luxurious accommodation and a wide of range of leisurely activities make this a superbly comfortable self-driven safari. Visit the cosmopolitan Cape Town, tranquil coastal retreats, stylish wine farms and spectacularly peaceful nature reserves.
US$4,700 - US$7,000 per person
Hartebeest Self-drive Safari
16 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
This self-drive safari focuses on the best cultural experiences in Namibia. Visit a Himba village and enjoy three days living with the San Bushmen interspersed with some excellent wildlife watching.
US$4,920 - US$5,020 per person
