2 Days Tsavo East Tsavo West National Park Safari

This 2-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park safari is one of the most popular short wilderness trips from coastal resorts like Mombasa, Diani, or Malindi.

Our itinerary allows you to experience two distinct ecosystems: Tsavo East National Park & Tsavo West National Park. 

Tsavo East National Park

Landscape: Characterized by vast, open plains and long sightlines
Experience: A classic, game-focused safari prioritizing wildlife sightings and simplicity
Wildlife: Higher density and easier to spot; famous for “red-dust” elephants, lions, buffalo, and giraffes

Tsavo West National Park

Landscape: Rugged and scenic, featuring volcanic hills, lava flows, and dense vegetation
Wildlife: Slower-paced viewing due to thicker cover, but includes unique spots like Mzima Springs
Experience: A diverse safari that balances wildlife with dramatic scenery and atmospheric landmarks

Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park Activities

✓ Track red elephants along dry riverbeds
✓ Game drives in Tsavo East’s vast open plains
✓ Explore volcanic landscapes in Tsavo West
✓ Visit Mzima Springs for underwater viewing
✓ Scenic photography with dramatic skies and terrain
✓ Combine wildlife viewing with cultural or coastal extensions

2-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park Safari Highlights

✓ Uncrowded Wilderness: Compared to the Maasai Mara, Tsavo provides a more private and authentic safari experience with fewer vehicles 
✓ The Red Elephants: Tsavo is iconic for its huge herds of elephants that appear red-skinned from dust-bathing in the area’s rich, iron-red soil
✓  River Systems & Biodiversity: The Tsavo and Galana Rivers provide essential water in the arid environment, attracting over 500 bird species and large concentrations of wildlife
✓  Big Five & Predator Action: The park is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), with Tsavo East famous for maneless lions and Tsavo West boasting a black rhino sanctuary at Ngulia
✓ Mzima Springs: Located in Tsavo West, this is a series of crystal-clear pools fed by underground water, offering a rare opportunity to watch hippos and crocodiles from an underwater observation chamber
✓  Dramatic Landscapes: Highlights include the Shetani Lava Flow, a 300 km-long lava flow known as the Yatta Plateau (the world’s longest), the roaring Lugard Falls on the Galana River, and Mudanda Rock, a massive rock that serves as a water catchment and a whale-watching spot for elephants

2-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Park safari Itinerary 

0600 Hours – 0630 Hours | Pickup & Departure: Pickup from your hotel in Mombasa or Diani Beach

0900 Hours – 0930 Hours | Entrance & Morning Game Drive: Enter through Bachuma Gate. Begin a game drive toward your lodge, passing Kanderi Swamp and Aruba Dam , where wildlife congregates to drink.

1300 Hours | Lunch & Rest: Check in and have lunch at a lodge such as Voi Safari Lodge or Sentrim Tsavo East

1500 Hours – 1600 Hours | Transfer to Tsavo West: Depart for Tsavo West National Park (approx. 2-hour drive between parks).

1600 Hours – 1830 Hours | Afternoon Game Drive: Visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary to spot endangered black rhinos before they become less active at dusk.

1900 Hours | Dinner & Overnight: Dinner and stay at a lodge like Ngulia Safari Lodge or Kilaguni Serena

Day 2: Volcanic Landscapes & Mzima Springs

Explore the lush oasis and volcanic features of Tsavo West before heading back

0630 Hours | Early Morning Game Drive: Catch predators while they are still active and enjoy the sunrise over the Chyulu Hills

0830 Hours | Breakfast: Return to the lodge for a full breakfast and check out

1000 Hours | Mzima Springs & Shetani Lava Flow: Mzima Springs: A walking safari to see hippos and crocodiles through an underwater viewing chamber

Shetani Lava Flow: Explore the massive “Devil’s” lava field and caves

1230 Hours | Lunch: Lunch at your lodge or a stopover restaurant outside the park

1400 Hours | Departure: Final en-route game drive as you exit the park via Mtito Andei Gate or Tsavo Gate

1700 Hours – 1800 Hours | Arrival: Drop-off at your hotel or the airport

2 Days Tsavo East Tsavo West National Park Safari: This is a short overnight safari from Mombasa to Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park.

Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park were once a single park, but are now separated. Tsavo West National Park is situated west of its sister, Tsavo East National Park, and is approximately 173 kilometers north-west of Mombasa.

Tsavo East National Park is considered the best for topography fans who also want to view Kenya’s animals and birds. It is one of the oldest and largest African safari parks in Kenya.

It was established in 1948 and covers 11,747 km, although not all of the park is open to the public.

These are the most common Kenyan animals you may see during your visit to Tsavo East National Park: Cape buffalo, cheetahs, duikers, African elephants, gazelles, gerenuks, giraffes, hares, etc.

During our 2-day Tsavo East Tsavo West National Park Safari, you are likely to see hartebeests, hyenas, impalas, leopards, mongoose, black-faced vervet monkeys, and Sykes’s monkeys.

Other animals include crested porcupines, giant rats, black rhinoceros, squirrels, warthogs, waterbucks, zebras, elephants, hippos, cheetahs, and buffalo.

There are many tourist attractions in Tsavo West National Park, including red elephants, birdwatching, hill hiking, caving, and boating.

Tsavo West National Park What to See and Do
Lake Jipe attracts a lot of wildlife and is a good place for bird watching.

Mzima Springs is at the north end of Tsavo West. Watch the hippos swimming and underwater

Lava Flows and Caves: visit for geological interest; explore the caves or hike along the lava flow

Bird watching: over 500 bird species have been recorded including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weavers, herons etc

Game Drives: Wildlife includes Cape buffalo, cheetahs, duikers, elephants, gazelles, gerenuks, giraffes, hares, leopards, lions etc

Cliff faces in Tsavo West; offer some of the best rock climbing in Kenya. The views over the savanna plains are spectacular, and Mt Kilimanjaro can also be seen on occasion

Tsavo East National Park What to See and Do
Yatta Plateau is the world’s longest lava flow at 290km long

Aruba Dam also attracts animals and birds looking for a place to drink

Walking safaris are offered by several guides along the Galana River

Lugard’s Falls is a series of rapids on the Galana River where crocodiles love to bathe

Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is saving the black rhino from extinction due to hunting by poachers

Mudanda Rock is a 1.6km outcrop of rock, with a dam at its base. This is a popular drinking place for animals

Game drives in Tsavo East National Park: One could see Cape buffalo, cheetahs, duikers, African elephants, gazelles, gerenuks, giraffes, hares, hartebeests, hyenas, impalas, leopards, lions etc

Bird watching: Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the park, including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaverbirds, kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds and herons

Day 1: Mombasa – Drive to Tsavo West National Park
Day 2: Tsavo West – Drive to Tsavo East National Park – Drive to Mombasa

Day 1: Mombasa – Drive to Tsavo West National Park

0700 Hours: After breakfast at your hotel in Mombasa, our 2-day/1 Night Tsavo East safari begins with a drive to Tsavo West National Park.

The park is located about 260 Kilometres from Mombasa, about a 4-hour journey.

1100 Hours: We arrive at Mtito Mtito Andei gate, the entry point into Tsavo West National Park.

We check into the park, use the bathroom facilities and refreshments, and then proceed to a game drive in the park.

1230 Hours: We arrive at our lodge/camp, check in, and enjoy an excellent buffet lunch.

1530 Hours: After lunch, venture out for another game drive in Tsavo West National Park. You will visit the springs on foot and explore this beautiful spot, viewing hippo, crocodiles, exotic fish, and a variety of bird species.

Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park includes Cape buffalo, cheetahs, duikers, elephants, gazelles, gerenuks, giraffes,  leopards, lions, etc.

1830 Hours: Return to the camp/ Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options
Luxury Accommodation: Finch Hattons Camp, Kipalo Camp
Mid-Range Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Voyager Ziwani Safari Camp
Budget Accommodation: Rhino Valley Lodge (Ngulia Bandas), Kitani Safari Bandas/ Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Tsavo West – Drive to Tsavo East National Park – Drive to Mombasa

0700 Hours: Breakfast at the hotel, then depart by road to Tsavo East National Park.

We drive about 100 Kilometres from Tsavo West National Park, located near Voi town, where we enter the Park.

1000 Hours; We proceed on a Game Drive in Tsavo East National Park. Animals one can see include Cape buffalo, cheetahs, duikers, elephants, gazelles, gerenuks, giraffes, hyenas, impalas, leopards, lions, etc

1300 Hours: After a successful game drive, we proceed to lunch at Voi Safari Lodge.

1430 Hours: After lunch, proceed to Mombasa, arriving late in the evening, and drop off at your respective hotel/ residence.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}

2 Days Tsavo East Tsavo West National Park Safari Rates Include

✓  Mineral water during the tour
✓  Accommodation of your choice
✓  Services of a professional driver guide
✓  Meals: 2 lunches, 1 Dinner, and 1 breakfast
✓  Park entrance fees into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park
✓  Transport by customized safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for easy photography
✓  Round-trip transportation from Mombasa to Tsavo West and East and back to Mombasa

Notes

Daily Departures: Mombasa or Malindi
Destination: Mombasa/ Tsavo West National Park/ Tsavo East National Park/ Mombasa

Tsavo East Tsavo West National Park Safari Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Laundry
* Tips or gratuity
* Travellers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

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