3-Day Diani Nature Tour: Arabuko Sokoke Forest & Tsavo East

Three days tracking wildlife through two ecosystems: a coastal forest and an open savanna park.

This 3-day tour from Diani combines guided exploration of Arabuko Sokoke Forest (one of East Africa's largest coastal forests) with game drives in Tsavo East National Park. You'll walk with rangers to learn animal tracking and spot endemic species like the Sokoke Pipit and Ader's duiker, then drive through Tsavo to see elephants, lions and other savanna wildlife. Accommodations at Doadoa Safari Camp and Voi Wildlife Lodge, all meals, a 4x4 vehicle and a professional guide are included. Pickup from Diani or Mombasa is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Arabuko Sokoke Forest

• Pickup from Diani or Mombasa
• Drive to Arabuko Sokoke Forest
• Guided birdlife game drive
• Picnic lunch
• Drive to Galana Conservancy
• Overnight at Doadoa Safari Camp

Day 2: Nature walk and Tsavo East game drive

• Breakfast at camp
• Guided nature walk with rangers
• Lunch at camp
• Afternoon game drive in Tsavo East
• Overnight at Voi Wildlife Lodge

Day 3: Game drive and return to Diani

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive en route out of park
• Drop off at hotel in Mombasa or Diani

The experience

The tour opens in Arabuko Sokoke Forest, one of East Africa's largest remaining coastal forests and a global biodiversity hotspot. The forest holds three distinct vegetation zones and is home to species found nowhere else: the endemic golden-rumped elephant shrew, Clarke's Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Sokoke Pipit, Spotted Ground Thrush, and Amani Sunbird. You'll travel by 4x4 with a professional guide who leads a birdlife game drive through the forest, then a picnic lunch, before moving on to Galana Conservancy, which borders Tsavo East. Your first night is at Doadoa Safari Camp.

Day two shifts to Tsavo East National Park. After breakfast, you join a guided nature walk with rangers who teach animal tracking, plant identification, and wildlife behavior. Following lunch at camp, an afternoon game drive takes you into the park to spot elephants, lions, and the full range of savanna wildlife in their natural habitat. You stay at Voi Wildlife Lodge, a 3.5-star property within the park ecosystem.

The final morning includes a game drive as you exit the park, then a return journey to your hotel in Mombasa or Diani. All accommodation, meals as specified on the itinerary, the specialized vehicle, and the guide's expertise across the three days are included in the booking.

What’s included

• All accommodation at Doadoa Safari Camp and Voi Wildlife Lodge.
• all meals as specified on the itinerary.
• a 4x4 specialized pop-up roof Land Cruiser for the duration.
• a professional guide.
• guided nature walks with rangers to learn tracking and plant identification.
• game drives in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Tsavo East National Park.
• and pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Diani or Mombasa.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by African route safaris

Is this one for you?Three days is long enough to move through two distinct ecosystems (forest and savanna), and spend meaningful time on guided walks and game drives, but short enough to fit into a week-long Kenya trip without dominating it. If you want to see both birdlife and large savanna wildlife without splitting your time across separate bookings, this itinerary covers both in one tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What wildlife will I actually see in Arabuko Sokoke Forest?

Arabuko Sokoke is home to endemic species including the Sokoke Pipit, Ader's duiker, Clarke's Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Spotted Ground Thrush, and Amani Sunbird, along with the golden-rumped elephant shrew. The forest's three vegetation zones support high endemism across birds, mammals, and butterflies, making it a global biodiversity hotspot.

How much time do I spend on game drives versus walking?

Day one includes a guided birdlife game drive through Arabuko Sokoke Forest and travel to Galana Conservancy. Day two has a guided nature walk with rangers in the morning, then an afternoon game drive in Tsavo East. Day three includes a game drive as you exit Tsavo before returning to your hotel.

What are the accommodations like?

Doadoa Safari Camp, a 4-star property, hosts you on night one near Galana Conservancy. Voi Wildlife Lodge, a 3.5-star lodge, is your base on night two within Tsavo East National Park. Both include meals as specified on the itinerary.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup is included from either Diani or Mombasa at the start of the tour. On day three, you are dropped at your hotel in Mombasa or Diani after the final game drive.