See Another Africa - Kenya #1:

Walk Across Kenya's Tsavo National Parks x 13 nights

Facts:

• Departing from: Nairobi, Kenya
• Transport: short flights to Tsavo parks and back; on foot primarily with afternoon game drives in camp vehicles.
• Accommodation: luxury mobile camping
• Adventure meter: off the meter
• Suitable for: the physically fit; those seeking a truly different safari and remote wilderness
• When to go: dry season, June through end of October. Heat begins building in August after the cooler winter months of June and July.
• Watch for it: MT escorted Tsavo walk, which includes a few days pre-Tsavo walk at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Ithumba Camp. This is where the older orphans from the Sheldrick's Nairobi elephant orphanage are brought where it is expected they will rejoin wild herds when they are ready. Guests at this camp must be elephant foster parents. See www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

Summary:

This hike lives up to its name and uniqueness: it incorporates breath-taking geography and wildlife sightings with geology, history and animal behavior study. At the same time it provides the physical challenge of walking no less than 10 miles (6.5 kms) every day across Kenya's largest national parks (they make up the size of Wales) under what is often a blistering hot sun. It helps that Iain Allen, the creator of Africa's longest walking safari, and who continues to lead each one, sets up (with the help of an amazing camp crew ) no less than eight extremely comfortable mobile camps along the way, so no matter how tired you are at the end of the day, you have a cushy bed – yes, a bed – to fall into after a wonderful dinner and stimulating conversation.

Program:

Day One: Arrive Nairobi where you are met and transferred to your comfortable hotel for overnight . There will be an evening briefing with your Kenyan host and honorary Tsavo NP ranger Iain.

Day Two: fly to Tsavo NP West where you game drive to your first luxury mobile camp.

Days Three through Twelve: day three sets the pace and routine. You rise early after a good sleep; you eat a hearty breakfast; you begin walking at 7:30 am; you arrive in your next scenic camp on the shores of either the Tsavo or Galana Rivers at midday, where you eat, rest, and relax until the evening game drives in the camps' vehicles. There are sundowners by the fire after your evening shower followed by some truly delicious food. This safari, the longest walking safari in Africa, crosses two ecosystems. The riverine forest along the Tsavo River which rises in the highlands around Mount Kilimanjaro and made up of thickets of fig and tamarind trees, doum and raffia palms, gives way to the east to more open acacia forest and savannah and finally to semi-arid desert. Along the way the Tsavo River reaches the confluence of the Athi River where it becomes the Galana River which flows into the Indian Ocean. Within these two ecosystems primary wildlife sightings are hippo in the heavy riverine vegetation near the Tsavo River and elephants along the Galana. Tsavo is the world's largest elephant ecosystem. You are pretty much guaranteed to have close encounters (under Iain's careful supervision) and learn much about these intelligent animals. There is plenty of other wildlife to observe too, such as antelope, leopard, and the famous mane-less and extremely hardy Tsavo lions.

Day Thirteen: you reach Tsavo East NP's easternmost gate where you celebrate your success and share your last lunch together. You then drive to the Indian Ocean and pass your final night (perhaps soaking your feet in the tub or pool) in a lovely resort.

Day Fourteen: you fly Malindi – Nairobi. (It is also possible to fly directly to Nairobi late afternoon on Day Thirteen and forego soaking your feet.)

Price: from $7800.00 USD pp, based on two people sharing. Single supplement, if there is room, $1000.00 USD. Includes: internal flights, accommodation in Nairobi arrival night and in Malindi on Day Thirteen and while on safari; all food and beverages. Excludes: international flights; gratuities; items of a personal nature. Please contact MTT for confirmed prices and the latest scheduled departures of this tour.