Tsavo East safari from Mombasa: Private game drive with Aruba dam

Track red elephants and lions across Kenya's largest park in a single day

A private full-day safari from Mombasa to Tsavo East National Park with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, lunch and bottled water. You depart at 5:30 am, enter via Bachuma gate, spend the morning and afternoon game driving in search of elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes, and stop at Aruba dam where wildlife congregates around the water. The tour runs 15 hours total and suits all fitness levels. You can upgrade to a Land Cruiser 4x4 if you prefer that vehicle over the standard safari van.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Tsavo East National Park tour

• Pick up at 5:30 am
• Drive to Tsavo East via Bachuma gate
• Game viewing: elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes
• Visit Aruba dam for wildlife viewing
• Lunch at a restaurant
• Afternoon game drive in Tsavo East
• Drive back to Mombasa
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

You're picked up at your Mombasa hotel at 5:30 am and driven inland on the Mombasa–Nairobi road toward Tsavo East. After a short stop at the park entrance, you enter via Bachuma gate and begin your first game drive. The park is Kenya's largest and holds massive herds of elephants (the red-colored ones the region is known for) alongside lions, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes and antelopes. The guide scans the landscape and stops when wildlife appears, giving you time to watch and photograph.

Mid-morning you reach Aruba dam, where animals gather to drink, especially during the dry season. This is one of the most reliable spots to see concentrated wildlife in a single location. After time at the dam, you drive to a lodge restaurant inside the park for lunch. The afternoon brings a second game drive before you exit the park and begin the return journey to Mombasa, arriving at your hotel in the evening. Bottled drinking water is provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide (French and German available).
• transport in a customized safari van or Land Cruiser 4x4 depending on your choice at checkout.
• park entry to Tsavo East.
• lunch at a lodge restaurant inside the park.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Mombasa.
• bottled drinking water throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private full-day tour of Tsavo East National Park, departing from MombasaGuide in English, French or German · 05:30Safari van, pickup is included

Land Cruiser Jeep 4x4 upgradeGuide in English, French or German · 05:30Upgrade to a Land Cruiser Jeep, which suits travellers wanting a more luxurious vehicle for the tour. This is a Land Cruiser 4x4 Jeep, and pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to9h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Perfect Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private pace through Tsavo East (you'll stop as long as you like at each sighting instead of moving on a fixed schedule), and choose the Land Cruiser if rough terrain or a higher vantage point matters to you.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals am I most likely to see on this Tsavo East safari?

Tsavo East is home to large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and buffalo. The park's red elephants are a distinctive feature, and Aruba dam is a prime spot to watch multiple species drinking together, particularly during the dry season.

What time does the tour start and when will I be back at my hotel?

Pickup is at 5:30 am from your Mombasa hotel. The full tour runs 15 hours, so you'll return to your hotel in the evening after the second game drive and the drive back from the park.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks during the day?

Lunch at a lodge restaurant inside Tsavo East is included. Bottled drinking water is provided throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages and other drinks are not included but available for purchase.

Can I choose a different vehicle for this tour?

Yes. The standard option includes transport in a customized safari van. You can upgrade to a Land Cruiser 4x4 at checkout if you prefer that vehicle for the game drives.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the park, or is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off at your Mombasa hotel are included in the tour price. You don't need to arrange separate transport to meet the guide.