Two parks that share a border, and little else.
The ostrich is the largest bird on earth, and East Africa is one of the few places where encountering one in open savanna, moving at full stride across red dust plains, still carries the element of surprise it deserves.
This three-day itinerary covers both Tsavo East and Tsavo West, two parks that share a border but feel like different worlds. Tsavo East is open and arid, famous for its red elephants and maneless lions. Tsavo West is rockier and more varied, with the Mzima Springs, an underground river that surfaces as a crystal-clear pool inhabited by hippos and crocodiles, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Together they form one of the most complete safari circuits accessible from the Kenya coast.
The itinerary.
Mombasa to Tsavo East National Park
Pick-up from South Coast hotels at 05:30, North Coast hotels at 06:00.
Drive to Tsavo East National Park, entering with a game drive en route to the lodge for lunch. Tsavo East is home to the red elephants, the maneless lions, Aruba Dam, the Yatta Plateau, and Mudanda Rock. In the mid-afternoon, embark on a game drive until sunset.
Tsavo East to Tsavo West National Park
Early breakfast between 06:30 and 07:00. Depart with a morning game drive through Tsavo East, exit via Manyani Gate, and drive to Tsavo West.
On arrival, check in and have lunch. The afternoon game drive visits Mzima Springs, where an underwater observatory chamber allows you to observe hippos and crocodiles from below the waterline, one of the more unusual wildlife encounters available in Kenya. An optional champagne sundowner at Poacher’s Lookout is available at extra cost.
Tsavo West to Mombasa
Early breakfast followed by a morning game drive through Tsavo West en route to the exit gate. Drive to Mombasa for a short city tour and a farewell lunch at Castle Restaurant. Transfer to your beach hotel.
Inclusions & exclusions.
- Return road transport in a private 7-seater safari vehicle with pop-up roof and guaranteed window seats
- Services of a professional multilingual driver-guide throughout
- All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
- Two nights full-board accommodation
- All national park entrance fees
- 3 bottles of mineral water per person per day
- One safari hat and one safari bag per person
- Short city tour of Mombasa
- Farewell lunch at Castle Restaurant
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
- All applicable government taxes
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Optional champagne sundowner at Poacher’s Lookout
- Personal expenses including telephone calls, laundry, and similar
- Travel insurance
- Any items not specified above
Lodges shown reflect our standard arrangement for this route. Where we hold a fixed relationship, the named property is used; otherwise a lodge of equivalent standard is substituted.
What you will see.
Book this safari, or shape your own version of it.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will confirm availability and tailor the route, the pace, and the lodges to your group.