3-day itinerary
Tsavo East & Tsavo West – 3 Days
Departing from / returning to – Mombasa, Diani, Kilifi, Bamburi, Malindi or Watamu beach resorts
3 days Tsavo safari tour originating from the Kenya beach and exploring the red soil plains of the Tsavo East and scenic hilly landscape of the Tsavo West National Parks.
On the tour, more quality time is spent inside the Tsavo National parks on game viewing drives.
You shall be in search of the red colored elephants, Lion, giraffe, Buffalo, Warthog, Eland, Ostrich, Hippo, Rhino and many more.
You shall stop at the Mzima Springs to view hippo, crocodile, exotic fish, birdlife on an escorted nature walk.
The Rhino sanctuary at the Tsavo West is featured in the tour.
Tour accommodation is offered in economy, standard or luxury safari lodges and tented camps – choose depending on your budget/style.
Tour is in private pop up top safari minivan.
Option of transport in pop up top 4 x 4 Land cruiser jeep is provided at an extra cost.
Tour is also suitable for families with children and also seniors.
Good to know
- Tour can be modified according to your specifications
- Tour can be extended to include more days on safari
- If you choose to stay at Sarova salt lick lodge or Lions Bluff Lodge – game viewing drives shall be at Taita hills sanctuary / Lumo Sanctuary – Part of the Tsavo wes
- If you choose to stay at Ziwani Voyager Camp, you may not visit the Rhino Sanctuary due to the distance involved. There shall however be an evening/night game drive from Ziwani Camp
- Driving times in Kenya are estimates and can vary due to road traffic and state of road
- Mombasa city hotels: 0800 hrs
- Nyali beach resorts: 0700 hrs
- Kilifi beach resorts: 0600 hrs
- Diani beach resorts: 0600 hrs
- Shanzu beach resorts : 0630 hrs
- Galu beach resorts: 0500 hrs
- Bamburi beach resorts: 0700 hrs
- Msambweni beach resorts: 0500 hrs
- Tiwi beach resorts : 0530 hrs
Tour highlights
- Elephant in Eden - the sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of Palm- shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative image of Africa.
- Aruba Dam -The beautiful Aruba dam located on the north bank of the seasonal Voi River, is visited by thousands of animals and a great game viewing destination.
- Recent Volcanos
- Mzima Springs & underwater hippo and fish watching.
- Game viewing
Other start point
Starting from Malindi or Watamu?
This 3-day Tsavo East and Tsavo West safari also leaves from Malindi and Watamu, on the same itinerary.
- Pick-up at 0800 hrs from Malindi and Watamu beach resorts.
- Day 1: you reach Tsavo East by the so-called explorers' route, the Malindi – Sala Gate road.
- On the last day you drive back from Tsavo West to the coast through Mariakani and Malindi, ending at your Malindi or Watamu beach resort.
Day by day
The Itinerary
- Day1
Mombasa – Tsavo East
Early pick up from Kenya beach resort
Pick up from your Kenya coast Beach resort.
The safari drive is via the so called “explorers” route – Mombasa – Nairobi highway.
The 120km – 3hrs dawn drive takes us to the southern entry point of the Tsavo East where we stop briefly for refreshments (optional).
We commence game viewing drives on entry at the Tsavo East National Park.
You shall be on the look-out for elephant, giraffe, lion, cheetah, buffalo and many more…….
An afternoon game viewing drive is scheduled later in the day.
The relaxed game viewing drive takes us on the trails of the big five with magnificent views of the African sunset.
Overnight at your Tsavo east safari lodge/ tented camp.
What to see at Tsavo East National Park
The park is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust-red elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, Lesser kudu, Gerenuk and Hirola.
- Day2
Tsavo East – West
We shall be up before sunrise!
Dawn finds us set and ready for our early morning game viewing drive
. the splendor of an African sunrise that engulfs the savanna shall be experienced as we traverse the vast Tsavo East park in search of the early grazers and hunters.
A relaxed mid-morning game viewing drive shall follow.
Later we shall proceed to the Tsavo West National Park where among the activities is a visit to the rhino sanctuary.
Overnight at your Tsavo west safari lodge/ tented camp.
What you may see at Tsavo West National ParkLeopard, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephants, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile. Mongoose, Mzima springs and underwater hippo and fish, Dik-dik, lesser Kudu and Nocturnal porcupine, prolific birdlife features 600 species.
- Day3
Tsavo West – Mombasa
Your last day on safari!
Out with the sunrise for a pre-breakfast game viewing drive.
Nature is at its best with the predators out for the hunt and the grazers browsing the soft, dewy vegetation.
Natural colors dominate the scenic volcanic terrain.
We shall venture out again… this time to visit the Mzima Springs with more game viewing en-route.
At the Mzima springs -we shall take a nature walk as we marvel at the underground source of sparkling clear waters and the surrounding greenery which is a welcome reprieve in this semi-desert terrain
We view hippos, crocodiles, exotic fish and unique migratory birds.
Later depart the Tsavo west for the Kenya coast and your beach hotel
Arrive in the late afternoon.
Drop off at your beach resort or Mombasa airport
What you could see at Tsavo East & West
- Vast herds of dust-red elephants
- Lions
- Cheetah
- Zebra
- Hippopotamus
- Hartebeest
- Thomson's Gazelle
- Giraffe
- Baboon
- Waterbucks
- Lesser Kudu
- Antelopes
- Prolific birdlife features 600 species
Where you stay
Accommodation
Safari accommodation options for each location
Tsavo West National Park
- Luxury
- Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, Ziwani Camp, Sarova Saltlick Lodge, Lions bluff lodge,
- Standard
- Rhino Valley Lodge.
- Economy
- Ngulia Safari Lodge.
Tsavo East National Park
- Luxury
- Satao Camp
- Standard
- Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Sentrim Tsavo Camp
- Economy
- Voi Safari Lodge, Voi Wildlife Lodge
Tour price includes
- Transport in a customized pop up top safari minivan
- Services of English, German, Italian speaking driver/ guide
- Accommodation in economy, standard or luxury lodges / tented camps
- Park entrance fees
- All meals on safari
- Bottled drinking water in safari vehicle
- Pick up / drop off at Nairobi hotel or residence.
- Government taxes and local levies
Not included in the tour price
- All bottled drinks, items and services of a personal nature and tips & gratuities.
Day-by-day safaris
More itineraries you may like
Kilimanjaro views3 daysTsavo East & Amboseli Safari
Tsavo East · AmboseliMombasa → Mombasa
Kilimanjaro views3 daysTsavo West & Amboseli Safari
Tsavo West · AmboseliMombasa → Mombasa
Fly & drive3 daysMaasai Mara Fly & Drive Safari
Maasai Mara National ReserveMombasa → Mombasa
From Malindi2 daysTsavo East & Taita Hills Safari
Tsavo East · Taita HillsMalindi / Watamu → Malindi / WatamuPlan your Tsavo East & West Safari
Tell us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level. We will send a free, personalised quote for this itinerary within 24 hours.
Accreditations & booking security
Follow the safari
See Kenya Through Our Lens
Wildlife moments, lodge tours and trip stories from our guides and guests.