3-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West
A fuller look at both halves of Tsavo: red-dust plains in the east, broken hill country and Mzima Springs in the west.
2-Day Tsavo East
Overview
Tsavo East is the wider, flatter half of Kenya's largest protected area, open plains of red volcanic soil running to a low horizon. Two days is enough to get a proper look at it without committing a full week to the journey down from Nairobi, and it works well either as a stop on the way to the coast or as a short break on its own.
The road down passes through the same corridor as the railway and highway to Mombasa, so getting here is straightforward. Once inside the park, the schedule is built around the two clearest light windows, an afternoon drive on arrival and a full morning before you leave, since a single night doesn't allow for the midday rest that longer stays build in.
Day by day
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01
Nairobi to Tsavo East
We drive southeast from Nairobi, joining the Mombasa highway and turning off at the park gate after around four to five hours on the road. After lunch at camp we head straight into an afternoon game drive across the open plains, where the red dust that dyes the elephants' hides rust-coloured is the first thing most guests notice.
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02
Morning drive and the road home
An early game drive while the light is still low and soft, working the plains and the Galana River for elephant, lion and the fringe-eared oryx particular to this dry country. We return to camp for a late breakfast, then start the drive back to Nairobi or on to the coast, depending on your onward plans.
What's included
Included
- Ground transport from and to Nairobi in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- One night full-board accommodation at a camp or lodge in or bordering Tsavo East
- Two game drives, led by an English-speaking driver-guide
- Tsavo East National Park entry fees
- All meals throughout: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout
- Soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee throughout
- Beer, wine and spirits throughout
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Kenya e-Visa or entry permit fees
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and souvenirs
- Travel insurance
Best time to visit
June through October and January through February are driest, when animals concentrate around the Galana River and remaining waterholes rather than spreading across the plains.
Common questions
What vehicle do we travel in?
A 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for standing game viewing. It may be shared with other guests travelling the same dates unless you request a private vehicle at booking.
Can this trip be combined with a coast extension?
Yes, that's one of the most common ways we run it. Tsavo sits directly beside the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, so from here it's a straightforward continuation to Diani or another coast stop rather than a detour.
Are park fees included?
Yes, Tsavo East entry fees for both days are included. Fees outside the park are not included.
Is one night enough to see much?
It's honest to say two game drives is a short visit for a park this size. What you get is a genuine introduction to Tsavo's red-dust country and its elephant herds; for a fuller picture of both Tsavo East and Tsavo West, the 3-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West itinerary gives considerably more time inside the park.
Ready to book this safari?
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability for the 2-Day Tsavo East within a day.
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