2-Day Tsavo East
A short first look at Tsavo East's wide red-dust plains: one afternoon and one morning game drive either side of a night in camp.
3-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West
Overview
Three days gives us room to see both parks properly rather than treating one as a drive-through on the way to the other. Tsavo East is wide and flat, red-dust plains that stretch to a low horizon; Tsavo West, across the highway and railway line, is broken country of old lava flows, hills and denser bush, a genuinely different landscape only a short drive away.
The centrepiece of the western half is Mzima Springs, a series of clear pools fed by water filtering down from the Chyulu Hills, with an underwater viewing chamber that puts you at eye level with hippo and crocodile in water clear enough to see the fish moving around them. We build a stop here into the second full day, alongside the more usual game driving.
Day by day
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01
Nairobi to Tsavo East
We drive southeast on the Mombasa highway to the Tsavo East gate, arriving by early afternoon and settling into camp for lunch. The afternoon is a first game drive across the open red-dust plains, watching for elephant, lion and the Galana River's resident hippo and crocodile.
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02
Tsavo East to Tsavo West, via Mzima Springs
A final morning drive in Tsavo East, then we cross to Tsavo West, a shorter transfer than it looks on the map since the two parks share a boundary. We build in time at Mzima Springs, walking down to the underwater viewing chamber for a close look at hippo and crocodile in the clear spring water, before an afternoon game drive through the park's hillier, more broken country.
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03
Morning drive and departure
A last early game drive around the lava flows and acacia bush of Tsavo West, then breakfast, check-out and the drive back to Nairobi or onward to the coast.
What's included
Included
- Ground transport throughout in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Two nights full-board accommodation: one in or bordering Tsavo East, one in or bordering Tsavo West
- Four game drives, led by an English-speaking driver-guide
- Guided visit to the Mzima Springs underwater viewing chamber
- Tsavo East and Tsavo West 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, when dry conditions concentrate wildlife around the Galana River in the east and Mzima Springs in the west.
Common questions
What vehicle do we travel in?
A 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for standing game viewing, used for the drive between parks as well as the game drives themselves.
Is Mzima Springs included or an extra booking?
Included. The underwater viewing chamber is a short walk from the parking area with a ranger escort, since hippo and buffalo also use the springs; there is no separate ticket to arrange.
How much driving is involved between the two parks?
Less than the map suggests. Tsavo East and Tsavo West share a boundary near Mtito Andei, so the transfer on day two is closer to an hour than a full travel day, and it's built around the Mzima Springs stop rather than being dead road time.
Are park fees for both parks included?
Yes, entry fees for both Tsavo East and Tsavo West are included for the days you spend inside each.
Ready to book this safari?
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability for the 3-Day Tsavo East & Tsavo West within a day.
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