3-Day Tsavo East & Taita Hills Safari from Diani Beach

Red dust, herds of elephants, and sunrise game drives across Kenya's largest protected area

A 3-day safari from Diani Beach that combines Tsavo East National Park and Taita Hills Sanctuary with stays at two wildlife lodges offering views straight from your room. You'll drive at sunrise and sunset to spot elephants, lions, leopards and over 500 bird species, with optional night game drives to catch nocturnal animals like leopards and aardvarks. The itinerary includes full board meals, park entry, transport in a 4-wheel drive Land Cruiser, and a stop in Mombasa to visit Fort Jesus, the old town market and the Akamba Handicraft Industry.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tsavo East National Park Safari

• Pickup at 06:00am from Diani Beach
• Drive to Tsavo East National Park
• Morning game drive until 13:00
• Lunch at Ashnil Aruba Lodge
• Afternoon game drive from 15:30 to 18:30
• Refreshments at 18:30
• Dinner at 19:30
• Overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge

Day 2: Taita Hills Sanctuary Exploration

• Early morning tea or coffee with snack
• Morning game drive from 06:30 to 08:00
• Breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mid-morning game drive
• Check-in and lunch at Taita Hills Game Lodge
• Transfer to Saltlick Game Lodge for relaxation
• Afternoon game drive from 15:30 to 18:30

Day 3: Taita Hills and Mombasa Visit

• Morning game drive
• Breakfast at lodge at 08:00
• Visit Fort Jesus (outside only)
• Explore Old Town and City Market
• Visit Akamba Handcraft Industry

The experience

You're picked up at 6am on day one and driven to Tsavo East, arriving by 9am for a morning game drive across the park's vast herds of dust-red elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions and leopards. Lunch comes at the lodge at 1pm, then another drive from 3:30pm until sunset, followed by dinner and overnight at Ashnil Aruba Lodge, which has a pool, spa and restaurant overlooking the park.

Day two starts before dawn with tea and an early game drive from 6:30am. The best time to spot nocturnal animals like leopards, aardvarks and porcupines before they retreat. After breakfast you're transferred to Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for a mid-morning drive, then check into Salt Lick Game Lodge by 1pm for lunch. The lodge sits above waterholes where large numbers of wildlife gather to drink, so animals come to you throughout the day. Another game drive runs from 3:30pm until sunset and dinner.

On day three, a final morning game drive ends with breakfast at 8am. You then head to Mombasa to see Fort Jesus (exterior only), browse the City Market for spices and crafts, and visit the Akamba Handicraft Industry, a cooperative where artisans carve wood sculptures and masks using techniques passed down through generations. The tour ends with your return to the coast.

What’s included

• All park entrance fees to Tsavo East and Taita Hills.
• 4-wheel drive Land Cruiser transport with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language.
• hotel pickup from Diani Beach.
• full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at both lodges.
• game drives at sunrise and sunset on all three days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (31 to 88 years) · Youth (18 to 30 years) · Child (2 to 17 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Top Africa Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving at Diani Beach with fixed dates and want dawn and dusk game drives when wildlife is most active. You'll need early starts and full days in the vehicle rather than a relaxed pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 30 years); Child (2 to 17 years).

What animals will I actually see on the game drives?

Tsavo East is home to the big five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant), vast herds of dust-red elephants, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, lesser kudu and gerenuk. Over 500 bird species are recorded in the park. Early morning drives in Taita Hills are best for nocturnal animals like leopards, aardvarks, porcupines, civets and striped hyenas that are active at night or just before dawn.

Do I have to book the night game drives or are they included?

Night game drives and nature walks are optional activities you can add during the tour. They're not part of the standard itinerary. Your guide can arrange them if you want to deepen your connection with the African wilderness.

What's included in the full board accommodation?

Full board means breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided at both Ashnil Aruba Lodge and Salt Lick Game Lodge. All park entrance fees, transport in a 4-wheel drive Land Cruiser and the guided game drives are also included.

How much time do we spend in Mombasa?

Mombasa is the final stop on day three after your last game drive and breakfast. You'll visit Fort Jesus (exterior), explore the old town and City Market for spices and crafts, and tour the Akamba Handicraft Industry where you can watch artisans at work and buy wood carvings and masks.

Is a yellow fever vaccination required?

Yellow fever vaccination is not included in this tour and is your responsibility to arrange before travel if required for entry into Kenya.