Tortillis Camp, elephants, Amboseli, Kenya

Flying Safari to Amboseli, Meru and the Mara

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

8 Days

Prices Start from

$8,011pp(ex. flights)

Fly in comfort, on a chartered plane, across Kenya’s wild landscape. Begin with the elephant-dominated grasslands of Amboseli, before flying north to the baobabs of Meru. End in the spectacular Masai Mara, the highlight of any trip to Kenya.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Skysafari aircraft interior, Kenya 1

Chartered Plane

Fly in an eight-seater, chartered plane, avoiding the hassle of scheduled flights.

Kilimanjaro elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya 2

Amboseli Tuskers

Watch the elephants of Amboseli roaming against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Verandah View, Elsa's Kopje, Meru, Kenya 3

Northern Wilderness

Explore the unspoilt landscapes of Meru National Park.

Pregnant lioness at dawn, Masai Mara, Kenya 4

Big Cats

Spot wildlife in the iconic Masai Mara – rich with plains game, big cats and birdlife.

Why we like it

This journey offers an easy alternative to the hassle of scheduled flights, allowing travel in comfort and with flexibility, accompanied by just seven other passengers. It combines some of Kenya’s best safari locations with ease, making use of beautiful camps – all of which offer stunning views.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Nairobi

  • Day 2

    Nairobi - Amboseli National Park (Tortilis Camp)

  • Day 3

    Amboseli National Park (Tortilis Camp)

  • Day 4

    Amboseli National Park - Meru (Elsa's Kopje)

  • Day 5

    Meru (Elsa's Kopje)

  • Day 6

    Meru - Masai Mara (Sand River Mara)

  • Day 7

    Masai Mara (Sand River Mara)

  • Day 8

    Masai Mara - Nairobi

Day 1

Nairobi

Arrive in Nairobi and spend a night in the Tamarind Tree Hotel or similar.

Day 2

Nairobi - Amboseli National Park (Tortilis Camp)

Transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and fly by light aircraft to Amboseli National Park. Transfer to Tortilis Camp by game vehicle, spotting wildlife along the way.

Day 3

Amboseli National Park (Tortilis Camp)

Explore Amboseli on bush walks and game drives, accompanied by an expert guide. Look out for the iconic tuskers and capture photos of them in front of the distant Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 4

Amboseli National Park - Meru (Elsa's Kopje)

Fly by light aircraft to Meru National Park and stay at Elsa’s Koje, named after the famous lioness that was raised here.

Day 5

Meru (Elsa's Kopje)

Spend time exploring during the day and at night, searching for game amongst the baobabs, kopjes and swamplands of Meru. Look out for rarer species, including caracals, lesser kudus and aardwolves.

Day 6

Meru - Masai Mara (Sand River Mara)

Fly south to the iconic plains of the Masai Mara, staying at Sand River Mara, which sits in a less-visited part of the national reserve that lies beside the Tanzanian border.

Day 7

Masai Mara (Sand River Mara)

Spend a full day exploring one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. Drive across these fertile plains, which are alive with animals and birds.

Day 8

Masai Mara - Nairobi

Fly back to Nairobi and depart on your international flight.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Elephant with Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli, Kenya
Kenya

Amboseli National Park

Take to the skies in a comfortable Cessna Grand Caravan and fly south to Amboseli National Park. Stay at the beautifully designed Tortilis Camp, with its stunning views of the surrounding grasslands. From here explore the private Kitirua Conservancy, as well as the remote western reaches of the park.

Led by Masai guides, take a dawn bush walk as the sun rises over a cloud-topped Kilimanjaro in the distance. Explore further afield in open safari vehicle, searching for the ambling elephant herds that roam this fertile landscape.

As well as these slow-moving animals, spot an array of faster predators. Look out for spotted hyenas and cheetahs, which hunt on these green plains. And admire the colourful birdlife that flits across from tree to bush.

Cottage Room, Elsa's Kopje, Meru, Kenya
Elsa's Kopje, Meru, Kenya

Meru National Park

Return to the skies and fly north to the wild vistas of Meru National Park. This remarkable tranche of wilderness is set against the backdrop of Mount Kenya. Too often overlooked, it is home to an array of wildlife, as well as fantastic scenery.

Stay at Elsa’s Kopje, named after the famous lioness that was raised here. This stylish retreat looks out over the plains and wetlands that lie below its raised location. Employing natural themes and immersed in wilderness, the camp combines luxury with an effortless warmth.

Spend time exploring during the day and at night, searching for game amongst the baobabs, kopjes and swamplands of Meru. Look out for rarer species, including caracals, lesser kudus and aardwolves.

Lion at dawn, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya

Masai Mara

Head west and to the plains of the Masai Mara. Stay at the Sand River Mara, which combines a traditional bush camp ambience with a beautifully tranquil location. Spread along the banks of the river, it is shaded by tree branches, with swimming hippos frequent passers-by.

Spend a full day exploring one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. Drive across these fertile plains, which are alive with animals and birds. Watch prides of lions stalking prey, see young elephants joust with their tusks, admire courting cheetahs frolicking in the grass and listen as herds of gazelles scamper over dry earth that breaks beneath their hooves.

Typical African sunset with acacia trees, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya

Departure dates

These safaris operate on a fixed schedule, departing around once a week. Enquire for more details.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Tortilis Camp £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Tortilis Camp is a tented camp on the edge of Amboseli National Park with open views of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering one of the most dramatic settings for any camp in the area. All of the spacious, comfortable tents are designed to naturally take in the views of Kilimanjaro and the sweeping game-filled plains below.

View Property

Elsa’s Kopje £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Elsa’s Kopje is a stylish wilderness retreat, offering breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding plains and wetlands below. The lodge is named after Elsa, the orphaned lioness reared by George and Joy Adamson and on whom the film “Born Free” was based. The lodge’s beautiful stone cottages are built into Mughwango Hill, looking out over Meru National Park.

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Sand River Mara £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Taking its name from the river over which the camp looks, Sand River is a classic, East African bush camp. The open, canvas rooms get the balance just right between safari chic and colonial antique furnishings, with the rugs, cushions, four-poster beds and writing desks providing a subtle glamour of bygone safaris.

View Property

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From $8,011 Per person

When to travel

Kenya in January

The hottest month across much of the country, and an excellent time to spot wildlife with lower visitor numbers. The seas are at their clearest, the landscape is still lush, but it is dry and sunny in general.

Kenya in February

The high temperatures continue, and it remains virtually dry, but the landscape should still be fairly green. Conditions are still excellent for wildlife viewing, with lower visitor numbers.

Kenya in March

The start of the main rainy season, but still good for wildlife viewing with the chance to see newborns.

Kenya in April

This is not the ideal time to travel. Some lodges close as the rainy season gets into full swing. Roads can be treacherous, and the coast becomes very hot and wet.

Kenya in May

May is the height of the rainy season and so many places will be closed with driving conditions becoming poor due to the heavy rainfall.

Kenya in June

The rains start to abate, and the landscape is as green and lush as it gets. This does make spotting wildlife a little trickier, but it is a beautiful time across the country.

Kenya in July

The start of the mass migration into the Masai Mara. Dry weather dominates across the country, with the occasional shower. This is the coolest month, with visitor numbers increasing.

Kenya in August

This is peak season in Kenya, especially in the Masai Mara, where it is the peak of the Great Migration. Exceptional game viewing is possible as animals congregate around watering holes and rivers.

Kenya in September

The weather remains dry, and there are still fantastic opportunities for game viewing in the Masai Mara as wildlife gathers around watering holes.

Kenya in October

As the temperatures rise, so does the chance of a shower or two. The herds of wildlife begin to leave the Masai Mara, but plenty of residents can still be seen. Visitor numbers are lower and it is a great time to visit across the country.

Kenya in November

The start of the short rainy season, as temperatures continue to increase. Many destinations are open, but around Laikipia, places close at this time.

Kenya in December

The end of the year brings the peak of the short rainy season. Hot and wet conditions dominate, but the scenery is beautiful and green, and there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen.

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