After breakfast, we drive to the Chyulu Hills park gate and embark on a journey up the scenic hills which rise up to 2188m. Being a National Park, the area is teeming with wildlife therefore an armed ranger provides security. The whole of the Chyulu Hills Mountain Range spans over 60km from one end to the other and offers stunning views of gentle rolling hills with grove of trees in the intersections between the hills.  Numerous lava tube caves crisscross the depth of the Chyulu Hills and are locally known as the Kisulu caves.  With 19.5km length the caves are amongst some of the longest in the world.  We explore only the first section which is 2 km long. After this adventure we drive another 10 km to our lunch point.  After lunch we use the numerous animal trails crisscrossing the open undulating landscape, which provide convenient routes to hike to the ridge of the mountain range (1900m) where our fly camp is already set. Spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and the Amboseli plains await us.  As the sun sets we enjoy our dinner which has been well prepared by the camp cook.

Accommodation: Fly Camp

Meal Plan: B L D

Driving time: 2 hours, distance 70 KM

Activities:  4 hours hike,   1 hour cave exploration

We wake up to an early morning tea as we watch the sunrise over the Tsavo plains in the east which tosses the Kilimanjaro in a pinkish golden light.  We take a stroll around the campsite while the crew prepares our breakfast.  Today we hike for about 12 km across the ridges with lunch in our back bags as we come across curious natural phenomena like hills divided into two halves, one covered with grass and the other a forest, presumably as a result of winds not blowing bush fires to every corner of the hill.   As we leave the park and enter the group ranch area of the Ilkisongo Maasai our Maasai guide points out special plants and herbs which the Maasai community uses. The Ilkisongo use the basically uninhabited area as their food reserve for their cattle in the dry season.  On our way we find cattle mingling with gazelles, zebras, elands and giraffes.  In the early afternoon we reach our camp site and find the crew has already set camp. We take a rest and enjoy the views over the Maasai plains below and Kilimanjaro in the North West while the crew prepares our evening meal.

Accommodation: Fly Camp

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:

Activities:  5 hours hike

We enjoy the sunrise as we have our early morning tea as the crew prepares breakfast. After breakfast we embark on a 3 to 4 hour descend to the Maasai Plains.  Our walk takes us past giraffes, zebras, gnus, gazelles and herds of Maasai cattle all heading to the same place; a seasonal lake in middle of this semi - arid land - Lake Arpakai.  Along the way, our Maasai guide will explain how the modern way of life is influencing the lifestyle of his people.  At the Lake Arpakei, we might have a chance of spotting hippos besides watching water birds, while enjoying lunch.  After lunch we drive 70 KM through villages and ranches to Loitokitok (1750m) on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight served at Kibo slopes Garden Resort.

Accommodation:  Garden Resort

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:  3 hours. 80 km

Activities:  5 hours hike

After breakfast we are driven to the start of the Nalemoru River walk.  The 8km walk takes us through a scenic riverbed in a deep gorge close to the Tanzanian border. Along the way, we find the acacia trees, gum trees, wild olive trees, mahogany and other tropical trees. At a scenic waterfall (though dry during the dry season) we stop for an already prepared barbeque lunch and have to watch out for baboons which might be interested in our delicious food.  The terrain is a bit rough and walking poles will assist.  Afterwards we hike via the Outward Bound School, a Kilimanjaro Climbing base dating back to the colonial time to Loitokitok, have a look at the town and the colourful market (especially on market days). In the late afternoon we are back at the Garden Resort for dinner and Overnight.

Accommodation:  Garden Resort

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:  30 min

Activities:  5 hours hike

Today we have an early breakfast before sunrise and drive 40 km to the Kimana gate of Amboseli National Park watching the morning sun tossing the Kilimanjaro in a golden light. Amboseli has a hot, dry climate with average rainfall of 350-400 mm per year. In the park there are however large wetland areas which are fed not only by the rain but also by the melting ice and snow from the 5895m high towering Kilimanjaro above.  During the rainy season a large soda lake is formed.  Amboseli derives its name from Maa Language spoken by the Maasai People. They call it Em Posel which means “salty dust “.  Our game drives, reveal the fascinating fauna and flora of the park. The park is famous for large herds of elephants however there are numerous grass-eating animals such as wild buffaloes, gnus, zebras, impalas, giraffes, gazelles and gerenuks. Carnivores are there as well; lions, cheetahs, jackals and spotted hyenas. For lunch we return to the Kibo Safari Camp before we embark in the afternoon for another game drive.

Accommodation:  Kibo Safari Camp

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:  5 hours, 120km with game drives

Activities: game drives

After breakfast we drive to Tsavo West. An 80 km drive takes us to the Tsavo West park gate. Here we pick up an armed Ranger who will escort us on our exploration of the 8 km long and 1.6 km wide lava flow which dates back to about 250 years and originates from the volcanic Chyulu Hills. Through these activities, the Shetani Caves were formed. With torches we walk through this cave and finally take a lunch break and unpack our lunch.  On the way to our final destination for today – the Kilaguni Lodge we will see lots of game like buffaloes, antelopes, impalas, zebras, giraffes, elephants, elands and with some luck predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas.

Accommodation:  Kilaguni Lodge

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:  4 hours, 120 km with game drives

Activities: 2hours hike, game drives

After breakfast we start our game drives to the park attractions. Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness ranging from the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock, that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows.  The savannah ecosystem comprises of open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher's Lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. Game viewing include elephant, rhino, Hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and Basra Reed Warbler.  For lunch we return again to the lodge and watch the wildlife crowding the waterhole.  The afternoon game drive also includes a hike to the Chaimo crater, a volcanic hill with spectacular views over the area.

Accommodation:  Kilaguni Lodge

Meal Plan:  B L D

Driving time:  4 hours,  120 km with game drives

Activities: 1 hours hike, game drives

Today our south rift adventure comes to an end.  With game drives enroute we leave the park through the main gate in Mtito Andei.  A short drive along the busy Mombasa road takes us again to Hunters Lodge for lunch and finally we arrive in the late afternoon in Nairobi.

Meal Plan:  B L

Driving time:  5 hours, 280 km

Activities: