Experience the ultimate authentic adventure in the wilds of Kenya's Tsavo National Park, a land teeming with wildlife and natural wonders. This park is a sight to behold, from the vast wilderness to the largest elephant population in the world, including the rare and elusive 'Big Tuskers'. Big tuskers are African elephants with tusks weighing over 45kg each. With only a few dozen left in the wild, catching a glimpse of them in the wild is a unique and unforgettable experience.

As you embark on your journey through Kenya's Tsavo National Park, you'll have the chance to experience two distinct areas: Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Firstly, in Tsavo East, witness the daily gathering of thousands of elephants at one of the busiest waterholes in Kenya, Satao Camp. Here, amidst the hustle and bustle of the camp, impalas leap, mongooses scurry, and hornbills chatter in the Acacia trees. Don't be surprised if you encounter a genet cat who has made the bar his home - all part of the magic of this awe-inspiring natural wonderland. Then you can sit back in the comfort of your safari camps in Tsavo West and marvel at the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's highest free-standing mountain!

But this safari is more than just the thrill of spotting wildlife on game drives. Explore the area's history with a visit to the First World War battlefields at Taita Taveta or spend time with orphaned elephants at the Sheldrick Voi Reintegration Unit, an unforgettable and heart-warming experience. Visit the refreshing waters of Mzima Springs and observe hippos and crocodiles in their natural habitat, or enjoy a picnic on the banks of the picturesque Galana River.

Expert guides will accompany you on game drives and guided walks, sharing their extensive knowledge of the park and helping you maximise your chances of spotting the "Big Tuskers" and other wildlife. So, whether you're a seasoned safari enthusiast or embarking on your first-ever safari, this once-in-a-lifetime experience promises to create unforgettable memories in the heart of Kenya's awe-inspiring natural beauty. So, pack your bags and join us for an adventure like no other!

The Giraffe Manor is an elegant, privately owned and personally hosted, small and exclusive hotel, famous for its resident herd of giraffe. The Giraffe Manor offers a rich blend of welcoming accommodation, highly trained and friendly staff, as well as one of Nairobi’s finest kitchens. This is the only place in the world where guests can enjoy the experience of feeding giraffe over the breakfast table or at the front door. Giraffe Manor is surrounded by 55 hectares of indigenous forest just outside Nairobi.

Your Fly, Stay & Tour Package Includes:

• $2600 flight credit per person

• 7 night The Big Tusker Safari with Bench Africa, Nairobi return

• Includes 4-star accommodation, 20 meals, train trip, game drives, airport transfers plus more

• 1 night 5-star accommodation at Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

• Includes all meals, local drinks, airport transfers, laundry & giraffe feeding

Pricing is per person twin share and valid for departures 20-28 November 2023

Single traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Extend your holiday – speak to your travel consultant about options!

The Big Tusker | Itinerary

Day 1 - Nairobi

On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: 1 night Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2 - Tsavo East National Park

Early breakfast and transfer to Nairobi Train station for 8:00am departure. Arrive at Voi Station at 12:05pm to be greeted by your camp driver ready to take you on your first game drive through Tsavo East National Park. (BLD)

Lunch at the camp will be followed by a fascinating elephant talk in the watch tower. The Satao Camp waterhole can be visited by thousands of elephants a day and is the best place to sit and observe the herds, learning more about these incredible animals from the camp guides. The Satao Camp waterhole is frequented by big tusker elephants and even the occasional super tusker. Guests will then enjoy an afternoon game drive followed by dinner.

Accommodation: 3 nights Satao Camp.

Day 3 - Tsavo East National Park

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, guests can enjoy a guided bush walk around camp where they will learn more about the indigenous plant life and how to survive in the wild. (BLD)

After lunch, guests will enjoy a game drive to the Sheldrick’s Reintegration Unit for orphaned elephants, this is subject to availability. This very special trip provides guests with the rare opportunity to meet the adolescent elephants as they prepare to be released into the wilds of Tsavo National Park. Guests are able to learn more about the amazing Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and how they are protecting the elephants, and other wildlife of Kenya. Guests must adopt an elephant in advance to enjoy this visit.

Day 4 - Tsavo West National Park

An early morning game drive will take you to the palm-spotted banks of the Galana River with the opportunity to see the hippo pods and crocodiles. Lunch under the Tamarind Tree back at camp always provides excellent waterhole viewing time with plenty of elephants and their young coming to drink and bathe. (BLD)

The afternoon game drive will finish with a special Satao Camp sundowner where guests can enjoy a dawa (a Swahili cocktail which translates into medicine) and marvel at the burnt orange Tsavo sunset.

Day 5 - Tsavo West National Park

After breakfast guests will game drive to Tsavo West National Park, enjoying the dramatic changes in landscape. A visit to Mzima Springs to admire the crystal-clear waters, with potential hippo, crocodile and bird spotting, breaks up the journey. (BLD)

Guests will arrive at your next camp in time for Lunch followed by some relaxation at the pool and spa facility. The afternoon game drive will visit the Shetani Lava flows returning for dinner.

Accommodation: 1 night Severin Safari Camp

Day 6 - Taita Taveta Battle Fields

After breakfast guests will game drive through Tsavo West to the Taita Hills. The Taita Hills offer an extraordinary variation of landscapes, with beautiful, forested slopes and incredible views over Tsavo below. The Taita Hills are famous for their role in World War I, with some of the bloodiest battles in East Africa taking place in this area. Guests are able to learn more about its fascinating history. (BLD)

Guests will then travel to the next camp, nestled in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, to enjoy a breathtaking sundowner overlooking the East African plains with Kilimanjaro in the distance.

Accommodation: 1 night Leopard Lair Cottages.

Day 7 - Tsavo East National Park

After breakfast guests will return to Tsavo East, stopping at Madando Rock on the way back to Satao Camp. Guests will be able to sit in the watchtower and check back in with the elephant herds and then an afternoon game drive which will be followed by dinner. (BLD)

Guests can then sit by the campfire and enjoy their last night in the wild, listening to the roars of the lions and the comforting rumbles of the elephant herds.

Accommodation: 1 night Satao Camp.

Day 8 - End of The Big Tusker Safari

After breakfast you will be transferred to Voi Train Station for your train journey departing at 09h30 to Nairobi. At 14h00 you will be collected from Nairobi Train Station and transferred to Nairobi Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Giraffe Manor

The Giraffe Manor, built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan, is situated on 120 acres of land just a few miles from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. In 1974, Jock Leslie-Melville, grandson of a Scottish earl, and his wife Betty, who founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), bought the Manor. They moved five endangered baby Rothschild giraffe to their property where they were successfully reared and now have their own babies. When Jock died, Betty decided to open her house to visitors. Exclusive, spacious and elegant, it is the only place in the world that you can feed giraffe from your second-floor bedroom window, over the lunch table, and at the front door. Guests can feed and photograph the giraffe and the warthogs at the manor and wander through the adjoining forest to view the bushbuck, dik dik and more than 180 species of birds. Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel reminiscent of 1930s grandeur, boasting art deco features and four-poster beds. With eight superior rooms and two standard rooms, each has their own distinct personality, as well as spacious bathrooms and elegant furnishings.

Day 1 - Nairobi

You will be met at Nairobi Airport and transferred to your hotel. (D)

Day 2 - End of Giraffe Manor stay

Today you will depart the Giraffe Manor and be transferred to the Airport. (B)