Day 1-3: Amboseli

The Amboseli is best known for its large elephant population and a skyline dominated by the great Mount Kilimanjaro. Varying altitudes in the region mean that there is a wide diversity of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife.  During the drier months large concentrations of game can be seen gathering at spring fed swamps, making for excellent game viewing.

The elephants in the area are some of the largest tuskers in the world, and Amboseli is known internationally for the best close up viewing of free ranging elephant. Other wildlife includes the rest of the Big 5 – black rhino, leopard, buffalo and lion – as well as other big game species such as cheetah, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest. Also an ornithologists dream, Amboseli is home to over 400 species of bird.

Within the Amboseli region Open Africa offers Tortilis Camp, known for having the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tortilis Camp guides also offer guests an extensive knowledge on the herd history of the elephants. 

Day 3-7: Masai Mara

As the final destination of the great migration, the Masai Mara is probably the best known safari site in Kenya offering guests prime viewing of millions of zebra, wildebeest and gazelle which travel annually from July – October from the Serengeti to the plains of the Masai Mara.  The large number of grazing herbivores results in large predator populations making for exhilarating game viewing. Highlights include lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal. The Masai Mara is also home to herds of elephant, buffalo, giraffe.

The untouched nature of the Mara as well as low vehicle density offers guests the most exclusive African safari experiences with a minimal impact on the environment. Open African safari lodges situated in the Greater Masai Mara include Saruni Mara Safari Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp and Cottar’s 1920s Camp.

Saruni Mara Safari Camp and Elephant Pepper Camp are both situated in the mountainous northern edge of the Masai Mara (Mara North Conservancy). The area comprises lush mountains, valleys and rolling African plains. In the centre of the Conservancy is Leopard Gorge, the famous setting for numerous National Geographic documentaries and BBC’s Big Cat Diaries.   

Cottar’s 1920s Camp is located in the Olderikesi Conservancy in the south eastern Masai Mara, and is known for offering a far more secluded safari experience. A very low density of vehicles allows guests the privilege of off road driving in open safari vehicles.