This expedition starts in Tsavo East National Park and provides a unique opportunity to learn about Tsavo elephant behavioral ecology, life history of known bulls and families, the environment and diversity of birds and wildlife. You will have unlimited time to observe elephant behavior and the opportunity to photograph and spend as much time as you want in any area, in beautiful landscapes, with a diversity of species.
In Tsavo East National Park, Dr Barbara McKnight, Tsavo Elephant Research https://www.tsavoelephants.org will provide training on elephant identification, behavior and photographic data collection. Based on long-term records of known individuals you will learn about their history, many of whom have been monitored for decades. In the field you will have the opportunity to assist in identifying individually recognized bulls and families. We will focus on known bull associations with other bulls, age at independence, musth behaviors, location, habitat, activity and document changes in physical features. The focus on known families will include family-bond-clan associations, number of adult females, offspring age and sex, birth and survival, activity, location, habitat and physical changes. These results will help us protect Tsavo elephants and their habitat.
African Elephant Conservation Research Foundation partners with Cryptic Safaris, a Kenyan safari company. The 12-day Elephant Expedition includes four days in Tsavo East National Park, two days in Tsavo West National Park, two days in Amboseli National Park and four days in Maasi Mara. The knowledge you acquire on Tsavo East elephants and their habitat will enrich your experience in observing elephant behavior in other areas of Kenya. You will soon realize elephants are not the same in all areas based on the environment in which they live and their history. For example, Tsavo has had a long history of poaching, drought and loss of habitat therefore Tsavo elephant behavior differs from elephant behavior in other areas of Kenya.
Join the expedition on your own, invite a friend or group of friends. You can choose your own dates: wet or dry season. Tsavo has a wide diversity of beautiful bird species year around, and it is also a main bird migratory route between November and April. This is a time when European and Asian (Palearctic) migrants, as well as intra-African migrants, spend time in the Tsavo Region; Steppe Eagles, Swallows, Eurasian Rollers, Pelicans, Carmine Bee-Eaters, Storks and Flycatchers.
Included in the cost of the expedition is a donation to the foundation. Your participation contributes to our goals of conserving Tsavo elephants and their habitat and ensuring the continuation of this 30+ year research. Questions about the Elephant Expedition can be directed to or
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Tsavo in time for lunch at Voi Wildlife Lodge.
Afternoon Barbara will give an orientation seminar at the lodge and an identification overview of the birds and wildlife at the waterhole
TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
Day 2: After breakfast Barbara will give a seminar and training on elephant identification, behavior, data collection and Tsavo history. Afternoon lunch at the lodge. Spend the afternoon in the field where Barbara will provide an orientation on elephants and the habitat.
Days 3-4: Field Days
Search for elephants and identify known bulls and families. We will explore Voi River route heading east to Aruba. The highly endangered Hirola is often seen along Voi Riverine. In the northern region we will explore Irima, Mudonda Rock, Manyani and Tsavo-Galana River. You will have an opportunity to photograph landscapes, Zebra, Eland, Cheetah, Wild Dogs, Aardwolf and the famous Maneless Tsavo Lions.
Days 5: After breakfast at the lodge travel to Tsavo West National Park.
TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Day 5: Arrive in time for lunch at Kiliguni Serena Lodge. After lunch explore the lush Mzima Spring
Day 6: Field Day: Explore Mzima Springs. On a clear day you might see Mt Kilimanjaro. You will have an opportunity to photograph landscapes, diversity of bird species Elephants, Zebra, Wildebeest, Buffalo and maybe see Leopard and Maneless Lions.
Day 7: After breakfast at the lodge travel to Amboseli.
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Day 7: Arrive in time for lunch at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge.
Afternoon in the field searching for wildlife.
Day 8-9: Field days: Explore the Amboseli basin and surrounding area. Maybe see the snowcapped Mt Kilimanjaro and large groups of Elephants, Zebra, Wildebeest and Maned Lions.
Day 9: After breakfast at the lodge fly to Maasai Mara.
MAASAI MARA RESERVE
Day 9: Arrive in the Mara and transport to Mara Intrepid Tented Camp.
Day 10-11: Field Days: We will explore the Mara searching for elephants. You may see large herds of Topi, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Zebra and maybe Leopard, Cheetah and Maned Lions.
Day 12: After breakfast at the camp drive from Maasi Mara to Nairobi.
NAIROBI
Day 12: Day room can be arranged prior to your flight out of Kenya.
Visit Cryptic Safari web site https://www.crypticsafaris.co.ke for more details, cost and booking. If you would like to extend your time in Kenya, Cryptic Safaris can organize bookings for accommodations, vehicle, driver and guide.