3-Day Safari to Tsavo East from Mombasa: Red Elephants & Big Five

Three days tracking the big five across Tsavo's red dust and open plains

A 3-day safari from Mombasa into Tsavo East National Park with professional guide, game drives, all meals and two nights' lodge accommodation. Day one brings you to Voi Safari Lodge for your first wildlife sightings; day two moves to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to hunt for rarer birds and big cats; day three ends with an early game drive before the return to Mombasa by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Tsavo East National Park

• Travel from Mombasa to Tsavo East
• Observe wildlife including elephants and lions
• Stay overnight at Voi Safari Lodge
• Enjoy all meals included

Day 2: Drive to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

• Breakfast at Tsavo East
• Drive to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
• Look for rare birds and large wildlife
• Stay overnight at Salt Lick Safari Lodge
• Enjoy all meals included

Day 3: Return to Mombasa

• Early morning pre-breakfast game drive
• Breakfast at Taita Hills
• Depart to Mombasa
• Arrive late afternoon and drop off

The experience

Tsavo East is built around space and wildlife density. The park sprawls across a vast landscape of open savannahs where you'll spot elephants, the park's signature residents, rolling in the red dust and spraying themselves at watering holes. Lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and giraffes move through the same terrain in large populations. The size of the park and the relatively thin tourist traffic mean you're not following a convoy of vehicles to the same sighting. The guide reads the landscape and the animals' patterns instead.

The route itself moves you through two distinct zones. After the drive from Mombasa, you spend your first night at Voi Safari Lodge within the park itself, with game drives built into the day. On day two, you head to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, which straddles the southern edge of Tsavo West and sits at a different elevation. The bird life here is rarer, and the big cats (cheetahs and leopards especially) turn up more often than in the lower plains. The final morning brings an early game drive before breakfast, then the return journey to Mombasa, arriving in the late afternoon.

All transport between Mombasa and the lodges is included, along with a professional English-speaking guide for the full three days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at the lodges. You'll need to arrange your own international flights and any laundry. Tips for the guide and staff are recommended but not required.

What’s included

• Entrance and park fees for both Tsavo East and Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
• professional English-speaking guide for all three days.
• transport from Mombasa hotel to the parks and return.
• two nights' lodge accommodation at Voi Safari Lodge and Salt Lick Safari Lodge.
• all breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Day 2 Day Tours and Safaris Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're based in Mombasa or staying on the coast without a rental car. The guide and transport are arranged, and the pickup from your hotel settles the logistics before you arrive. The 3-day length lets you move through two different zones of the Tsavo ecosystem, from the open plains to the elevated sanctuary, rather than staying in one area.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on a 3-day Tsavo East safari?

Tsavo East is home to the big five (lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos) all in large populations. The park is especially known for its red elephants, which dust-bathe and spray themselves at watering holes throughout the day. Giraffes, zebras, hyenas and other savannah animals are common sightings. Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where you spend your second night, hosts Kenya's rarest birds and a strong population of cheetahs and leopards.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Mombasa to the park?

No. Transport from Mombasa to Tsavo East and back is included in the tour price. Pickup from your hotel is included. If you're arriving at Mombasa airport, airport pickup costs an extra $40. Pickup from Diani Beach costs an additional $50.

What's included in the accommodation and meals?

Two nights' lodge accommodation is included: Voi Safari Lodge on night one and Salt Lick Safari Lodge on night two. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided at the lodges. Laundry is not included.

How much time do I spend on game drives each day?

Game drives are built into each day of the safari. Day one includes drives after arrival at Voi Safari Lodge. Day two involves the drive to Taita Hills and game drives in the sanctuary. Day three starts with an early morning game drive before breakfast, then the return drive to Mombasa begins.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns or health conditions?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers due to the long drives and game drive terrain. It is suitable for all other fitness levels. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.