10 days Kenya: safari around Mombasa & beach

You leave Mombasa around 7:30 AM for a journey inland to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary - a 4 hour drive. The route winds through small villages and shifting scenery, with occasional chances to spot wildlife along the way. As the coastal bustle fades, the landscape shifts into dry acacia savanna that becomes more dramatic with every kilometre.

The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and LUMO Conservancy are two smaller parks between the giants Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Park. They offer unique game drives at night and, due to their proximity, they can be easily combined. During a safari here expect to see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and antilopes, among other species, as well as over 300 bird species. In the nearby Taita Hills you can also spot Kenya’s rarest (and most threatened) birds: the Taita Apalis, the Taita White-eye and Taita Thrush.

The drive from Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to Tsavo West National Park lasts 45 minutes to the entrance gate, with the Maktau gates (northern or southern) being the preferred entry point. From there, you drive another 1-2 hours (depending on the number of animal sightings and stops!) to reach your camp. After check-in, lunch is served before you go for your afternoon game drive.

Tsavo West National Park is a park that shows a diverse and remarkable nature with, for example, the Mzima Springs, the Shetani Lava Flows and the Chaimu crater. With its 9,065 square kilometres, this is one of Kenya's largest national parks, and four of the Big Five can be seen roaming freely here. Besides, you fairly easily spot regulars like giraffes, zebras, antelopes, gerenuks and many different species of birds, all between the green hills, acacia forests, savannah, natural springs and huge lava rocks from nearby volcanos.

Mzima Springs in Tsavo West National Park is a series of four natural springs of crystal clear water gushing out from underneath the dry lava rock. This two-kilometre-long stream is a heavenly pool for hippos and crocs, who come here to cool down. You need to be lucky, but if they are there, you can watch them from above or through a window in an underwater tunnel below the spring. The super clear water allows you to see every tumble and turn - a joy to watch!

A 3.5-hour journey connects Tsavo West National Park to Amboseli National Park, usually exiting via Chyulu Gate, though bad weather can lead to a longer route. The route crosses open savannah and rugged volcanic terrain, with a rough 60-kilometre dirt road before reaching the main road. In Amboseli, expect sightings of four of the Big Five along with zebras.

Discover the mesmerizing Amboseli National Park, a true wildlife haven at the foot of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The national park on the border with Tanzania offers sweeping savannahs, impressive lava rocks and shimmering swamps, creating an ideal habitat for large herds of elephants, graceful lions, a staggering variety of bird species and many more animals. Shoot them all (with your camera, of course!) with the mighty Kili in the background – an amazing sight!

Observation Hill is a hill within the boundaries of Amboseli National Park which originated from a volcanic eruption and later cooled on the earth. In just five minutes, you walk up and will be rewarded with a 365-degree view over the park. From the top, you can see Enkongu Narok marshes with its many elephants and hippos on the east side. In the south, you have a good view of Mount Kilimanjaro and in the west, the Kioko Lake with its playing hippos and Lake Amboseli can be found. Once observed, you know exactly where to go next!

The drive from Amboseli National Park to Tsavo East National Park is just under 350 kilometres and takes 6–7 hours. You set off early and arrive in time for a late lunch. After that, you can relax or, if you still have energy, join an afternoon game drive.

This is your chance to get out of the car and take a hike – to the top of Mudanda Rock that is! This huge rock of 1.6 kilometres long dates back to the Stone Age, and is said to be a runway for the gods. The story goes that in the past, local tribes used it to dry their elephant meat (!). From its summit, you have a magnificent view of the Yatta Plateau (the most prolonged cooled lava flow in the world), the open savannah grasslands, the wildlife drinking from the water catchment below and the yellow baboons and vervet monkeys enjoying the sun on the rock itself.

It’s time to hit the road. Either take a nap or stay glued to the window, watching the magnificent Kenyan landscape pass by. Once on the beach, you either stay in Diani Beach or cross the water to explore the astonishing Chale Island.

Stretching along Kenya's Indian Ocean coast like a ribbon of brilliant white, Diani Beach is a gorgeous setting for a beach holiday. Against the backdrop of forests echoing with the sounds of wildlife, it offers clear blue waters, white palm fringed beaches, and many watersports activities. Here you can swim along sandbanks, snorkel among colourful reefs, dive in deep sea canyons, or try out kitesurfing or supping. And for those in need of a dash of culture, the vibrant city of Mombasa is not far away!

Chale Island is one of Kenya's precious jewels, a true paradise with amazingly white beaches and a crystal blue ocean, just off the country's south coast. This small, tropical island is also known as a sacred kaya, one of the places of ancient worship you find along Kenya's coast, which makes it extra special. What's more, it has rich and diverse oceanic underwater life and offers a plethora of water activities. Lovers of water sports, diving and beach will feel right at home here, especially when staying in The Sands Hotel - the island's only (!) and beautiful beach resort.