2-Day Tsavo East & Salt Lick Safari from Diani Beach

Two days of game drives across Kenya's largest park and a private wildlife sanctuary

A 2-day safari tour from Diani Beach that takes you through Tsavo East National Park and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (Salt Lick), with early morning and afternoon game drives, two nights of accommodation at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, all meals, transport and a live guide. The itinerary is fixed so the timing of each drive and the lodge stays are arranged; you arrive at your hotel by early evening on day two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tsavo East and Salt Lick Safari

• Pick up from hotel at 5:00 am
• Drive to Tsavo East National Park
• Game drive in Tsavo East National Park
• Lunch at Zomeni Lion Hill Lodge
• Check in at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge
• Afternoon game drive at Salt Lick Sanctuary
• Dinner and overnight at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge

Day 2 — Salt Lick Safari and Return

• Early morning game drive at Salt Lick Sanctuary
• Breakfast at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge
• Game drive until early lunch
• Depart for Mombasa or Diani Beach
• Arrive at hotel in early evening

The Experience

Pickup happens at 5am from your Diani Beach hotel, and the drive to Tsavo East begins immediately. Once inside Kenya's largest national park through the Bachuma gate, game drives start right away—this is where the red elephants the park is known for move through the landscape alongside lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and around 500 bird species. You stop for lunch at Zomeni Lion Hill lodge, then continue toward Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. By afternoon you're at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, where another game drive runs until dinner. The lodge sits on a salt lick, a natural mineral deposit that draws elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs and gazelles to drink and feed—the animals come to you rather than the other way around.

Day two starts with an early game drive at 6:15am, followed by breakfast at 8:30am. After eating you're back out for drives until a midday lunch at the lodge. The return journey to Diani or Mombasa leaves after lunch and gets you to your hotel by early evening. Transport throughout is in a safari van or jeep with drinking water on board. Dinner and breakfast on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two are included; the lodge meals are part of the package.

A live guide travels with the group and speaks English, French or German—you choose the language when you book. Children from age 3 are welcome on the safari drives, though children under 5 cannot stay overnight at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge due to the lodge's own policy. The tour suits travelers who want the structure of fixed timing and arranged logistics but also want genuine wildlife viewing across two different ecosystems in a single trip.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 5am on day one and return to your Diani Beach or Mombasa hotel by early evening on day two.
• all transport in a safari van or jeep with drinking water.
• game drives in Tsavo East National Park and at Salt Lick wildlife sanctuary.
• one night accommodation at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge.
• lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two.
• a live guide in English, French or German.
• all park fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Wildlife Safari Exploreans Day Trips

Is this one for you?Book this if you want structured back-to-back game drives across two days with a lodge stay included, and you're ready for a 5am start both mornings.

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Top questions

What animals am I likely to see on this 2-day safari?

Tsavo East is home to red elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, waterbucks and impalas, plus around 500 bird species including ostriches and migratory birds like kestrels and buzzards. At Salt Lick sanctuary you have chances to spot elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, zebras and gazelles drawn to the natural salt lick.

How early do the game drives start each day?

Day one begins at 5am with pickup from your hotel, and game drives start immediately upon arrival at Tsavo East. Day two's first drive departs at 6:15am from the lodge, followed by breakfast at 8:30am and more drives until lunch.

Where do I stay overnight on this tour?

You stay at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for one night. The lodge is positioned on a natural salt lick, which attracts wildlife throughout the day and evening.

What meals are included in the 2-day safari?

Lunch and dinner are included on day one at the lodge. Day two includes breakfast and an early lunch before your return drive to Diani Beach or Mombasa. All meals are provided at the lodge.

Can I book this tour if I'm traveling with young children?

Children from age 3 can join the game drives throughout the tour. However, children under 5 cannot stay overnight at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge due to the lodge's policies, so you would need alternative accommodation for them on night one.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English, French or German. You select your preferred language when booking the tour.