2-Day Private Safari in Tsavo East from Diani Beach

Two days hunting the big five across Tsavo's waterholes and grassland

A 2-day private safari from Diani Beach to Tsavo East National Park includes hotel pickup, transport in a van or jeep with a pop-up roof, park entry, accommodation at Voi Safari Lodge or Voi Wildlife Lodge, and all meals. You drive out on the morning of day one, game-watch through the afternoon and evening, then return with a final morning drive on day two before heading back to the coast by mid-afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Diani Beach to Tsavo East

• Pick up from hotel at 6:00 am
• Drive along Mombasa-Nairobi highway
• Arrive at Bachuma gate at 9:00 am
• Begin game drive including Aruba Dam
• Check in at lodge by 12:30 pm
• Lunch at lodge
• Relax until 4:00 pm
• Evening game drive until sundown
• Dinner and overnight at Voi Safari Lodge

Day 2: Tsavo East to Mombasa

• Early morning game drive at 6:00 am
• Return to lodge for breakfast at 8:00 am
• Check out at 10:00 am
• Game drive en route to gate
• Exit park and drive to Diani or airport
• Arrive in afternoon around 3:00 pm

The experience

The day starts at 6 a.m. with pickup from your Diani Beach hotel. The drive to Bachuma gate runs along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and takes roughly three hours, giving you time to settle in before the first game drive begins around 9 a.m. You'll move through the park in a van or jeep with a pop-up roof. The roof design lets you stand and scan without leaving the vehicle, which matters when you're looking for the big five across open grassland and around waterholes. Aruba Dam, a British colonial-era waterhole built in 1952, is one of the stops. Animals gather there in the heat of the day, so sightings tend to cluster around water sources like this one.

By midday you check into Voi Safari Lodge or Voi Wildlife Lodge, both positioned at their own waterholes where you can watch animals come and go from your room or the common areas. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m., then you have time to rest until the evening game drive at 4 p.m., which runs until sundown. Dinner and overnight stay follow. On the second morning, you're out again at 6 a.m. for a two-hour game drive, then back to the lodge for a full breakfast at 8 a.m. After checkout at 10 a.m., the return drive to Diani or the airport begins around 11 a.m., and you arrive in the afternoon around 3 p.m.

Transport, park entry, accommodation, and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included. Bottled drinking water comes with you in the vehicle. Your guide speaks English, French or German, and children from age 3 are welcome on the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Diani Beach.
• transport in a van or jeep with pop-up roof.
• entrance fee to Tsavo East National Park.
• two nights' accommodation at Voi Safari Lodge or Voi Wildlife Lodge.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner on both days.
• bottled drinking water during game drives.

Options for this experience

3 options

2-Day Private Safari to Tsavo, Departing from Diani Beach with PickupGuide in English, French or German · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included

2-day Tsavo East tour from MalindiGuide in English, French or German · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00Departing from Malindi: this tour follows the same itinerary, with pickup from Malindi included

4x4 Jeep OptionGuide in English, French or German · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00Pickup is included for the safari jeep vehicle

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Perfect Safaris

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day format if you prefer multiple game drive windows (morning and evening on day one, early morning on day two) to maximize wildlife sightings as animals move between feeding and watering spots.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Aruba Dam and why does it matter for game viewing?

Aruba Dam is a waterhole built by the British Army in 1952 during the colonial period. It's a key stop on the first game drive because animals congregate around water sources in the heat, making it one of the better spots to see wildlife concentrated in one place.

Can I choose between a van and a jeep for the safari drives?

Yes. The transport option lets you select either a van or a 4x4 jeep, both with pop-up roofs that allow you to stand and watch without leaving the vehicle during game drives.

What happens on the second day, and when do I get back to Diani?

Day two starts with an early morning game drive at 6 a.m. for two hours, followed by breakfast at the lodge. You check out at 10 a.m. and begin the return drive around 11 a.m., arriving back at Diani or the airport in the afternoon around 3 p.m.

Are drinks and alcohol included in the tour price?

Bottled drinking water is provided in the vehicle. Alcoholic beverages and other drinks are not included and can be purchased separately.

Which lodge will I stay at, and what makes the waterhole location useful?

You'll stay at either Voi Safari Lodge or Voi Wildlife Lodge, both positioned at their own waterholes. This placement means you can watch animals approach the water from your room or common areas, extending your wildlife viewing beyond the scheduled game drives.