3-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari from Mombasa

About this journey

Tsavo East and Tsavo West are two halves of one vast ecosystem, split by the Nairobi to Mombasa highway, and they could hardly look more different. This 3-day safari from Mombasa and Diani visits both, so you see the wide red plains of the east and the volcanic hills, springs and lava flows of the west.

Day one takes you from the coast to Tsavo East, about two and a half to three hours from Mombasa, for game drives among its red elephants, buffalo and open-country predators. On day two you cross into Tsavo West, where the scenery turns dramatic: the Chaimu crater, the black Shetani lava flow and the Ngulia Hills.

A highlight in Tsavo West is Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear water fed by the Chyulu Hills bubbles up into pools full of hippos and crocodiles. An underwater viewing chamber lets you watch them from below the surface. Your guide may also visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, home to a protected population of black rhino.

The third morning gives you a final game drive before the return to the coast. Travelling privately means the pace is yours: more time at Mzima, a longer stop at a waterhole, or an early start to beat the heat.

Best time to go: June to October and January to March are dry, with good game viewing at the rivers and springs. Both parks are open all year, and the green season after the rains is lush and quiet.

Highlights

• Two contrasting parks: Tsavo East's plains and Tsavo West's volcanic hills
• Mzima Springs and its underwater hippo viewing chamber
• Shetani lava flow and Chaimu crater
• Chance of black rhino near the Ngulia sanctuary
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off on the coast

What's included

Day by day