Experience the wild landscapes and iconic wildlife of Tsavo East National Park on a full-day private safari from Kenya’s Coast.
Famous for its vast wilderness, red-dust elephants, lions, buffaloes and spectacular landscapes, Tsavo East offers an authentic Kenyan safari experience. The park covers approximately 13,747 km² and is one of Kenya’s largest protected areas.
Highlights
- Early morning pickup from Diani Beach or the Kenyan Coast
- Explore Tsavo East National Park
- Search for Tsavo's famous red elephants
- Opportunity to see lions, buffaloes, giraffes and other wildlife
- Visit Aruba Dam where wildlife gathers around the water
- Explore the spectacular Mudanda Rock viewpoint
Early Morning: Pickup from Diani Beach or Mombasa
Your Tsavo East day safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel, resort or residence. For guests staying in Diani Beach, an early departure is recommended because Tsavo East is a considerable drive from the coast. Meet your professional safari driver-guide and travel inland towards Tsavo East National Park. A packed breakfast can be arranged for guests who prefer to maximize their time inside the park.
Morning: Enter Tsavo East National Park
Enter Tsavo East through a suitable gate depending on your starting point and planned game-viewing circuit.
Once inside the park, begin your morning game drive. Tsavo East's enormous landscapes provide opportunities to encounter a wide variety of wildlife, including:
Red elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, Hippos, Crocodiles, Waterbuck, Lesser kudu, Gerenuk, Hirola, Numerous bird species
Wildlife sightings are naturally dependent on animal movements, weather and seasonal conditions.
Aruba Dam Game Viewing
Continue towards Aruba Dam, one of Tsavo East's important wildlife-viewing areas. The dam and surrounding vegetation attract wildlife, particularly when water is scarce. Take time to scan the surrounding plains for elephants, buffaloes, antelope, giraffes and birds. Your guide will choose suitable areas according to current wildlife movements and road conditions.
Mudanda Rock
Continue towards Mudanda Rock, one of Tsavo East's distinctive geological landmarks. The rock provides an elevated perspective over the surrounding landscape and water catchment area. It is a particularly interesting location for photography and observing wildlife in the surrounding plains.
Lunch – Optional
Enjoy a picnic lunch at an approved location or arrange lunch at a lodge depending on your preferred safari package. For a one-day safari, a packed lunch is generally convenient because it allows you to spend more time exploring the park.
Lunch can be included in your quotation on request.
Afternoon Game Drive
After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive through selected areas of Tsavo East. Your driver-guide will look for additional wildlife and may adjust the route according to recent sightings. The afternoon can provide further opportunities for:
Elephant sightings, Lion sightings, Buffalo, Giraffes and zebras, Antelope, Birdwatching, Landscape photography
Depending on your route and available time, you may also visit or view other scenic areas within the park.
Late Afternoon: Exit Tsavo East
Begin your journey out of Tsavo East in time to comply with park exit requirements. Continue your journey back towards the Kenyan Coast.
Evening: Return to Your Hotel
Arrive back at your Diani Beach, Mombasa or other coastal hotel in the evening, marking the end of your Tsavo East day safari.
End of tour.
- Private safari transport
- Hotel/resort pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Tsavo East game drive
- Private safari vehicle
- Bottled drinking water
- Driver-guide and vehicle expenses
- Flexible private itinerary
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and other premium drinks
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A Tsavo East day safari can be arranged from Diani Beach, although it requires a very early start and a long driving day.
The distance depends on the gate used. Bachuma Gate at approximately 110 km from Mombasa, Voi Gate at approximately 156 km, and Manyani Gate at approximately 191 km along the Mombasa–Nairobi highway.
Possible sightings include elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, antelope and many bird species.
Tsavo's elephants are naturally grey, but the park's distinctive red soil coats their skin as they dust-bathe and move through the environment, giving them their famous red appearance.
Tsavo East supports several of the Big Five, including elephants, lions, buffaloes and leopards. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and rhino sightings are particularly dependent on location and conservation areas.