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5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari
5 days · Kenya

5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari

Volcanic landscapes, spring water and the red earth of Kenya's Tsavo parks

Nairobi · Tsavo West · Tsavo East · Nairobi
Overview Highlights Day by day Route map What's included Prices FAQ Enquire
Wildlife safari

5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari

Tsavo is a journey through changing ground: wooded volcanic slopes in the west, wider horizons and rust coloured earth in the east. The differences make it worth giving each park time of its own. You follow water through the landscape, from the clear springs at Mzima to places where elephant gather to drink or cover themselves in dust. Some sightings come easily, while others require a patient eye among the scrub, making each discovery feel earned.

Drive from Nairobi to Tsavo West for two nights and a full day exploring its varied habitats, including Mzima Springs when open. Continue east for another two nights, with a dedicated day on Tsavo East's park roads. The last day returns to Nairobi. This overland circuit keeps the focus on the two Kenyan parks and allows time for both their landscapes and their wildlife.

You travel with a driver-guide who leaves room for questions, patient wildlife watching and proper breaks. The daily plan follows park rules, weather and actual animal movement; sightings can never be guaranteed. Your confirmed itinerary lists the arrangements and inclusions clearly, while optional activities are agreed separately before you travel. Bring curiosity, comfortable layers and enough space on your camera for the moments between the headline sightings.

Ideal for: Wildlife travellers who enjoy big landscapes and want to explore both sides of Tsavo.

Length
5 days, 4 nights
Best time to go
Year-round; drier periods usually Jan–Mar and Jul–Oct
Countries
Kenya
Pace
Balanced pace · Easy
Group
Small group, maximum 6 guests
Price
From $500 per person per day ($2,500 per person for 5 days)
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The journey in brief

Drive from Nairobi to Tsavo West for two nights and a full day exploring its varied habitats, including Mzima Springs when open. Continue east for another two nights, with a dedicated day on Tsavo East's park roads. The last day returns to Nairobi. This overland circuit keeps the focus on the two Kenyan parks and allows time for both their landscapes and their wildlife. Your guide handles the transfers and entry arrangements, with meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary. Drive times, wildlife routes and activity order remain flexible around local conditions. The final travel plan is agreed before departure, including arrival timing, optional activities and any personal requirements.

Highlights

Volcanic landscapes, spring water and the red earth of Kenya's Tsavo parks
Explore Tsavo
5 days entirely within Kenya
A driver-guide who explains wildlife, habitat and local conditions
Daily itinerary with the meals and overnight places clearly listed
Time for questions, comfort breaks and patient observation

Day by day

Day 1

From Nairobi to Tsavo West

Meet your driver-guide at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after an early arrival, or at your Nairobi address. A short briefing covers the route, comfort stops and the wildlife etiquette you will use throughout the trip. Follow the southeast road corridor before turning towards Tsavo West; the transfer occupies much of the day and includes a break before the final park approach. You pause for lunch before settling into the landscape at an unhurried pace. Any afternoon wildlife drive depends on road conditions and your arrival time; your guide keeps the following full day clear for exploration. Bring your camera into the vehicle rather than packing it away, because the journey itself often brings your first memorable sightings.

Overnight: Tsavo West Lunch/Dinner
From Nairobi to Tsavo West
Day 2

Lava country and the water at Mzima

Spend the day exploring Tsavo West, where dark volcanic ground, wooded slopes and open glades make a very different safari landscape. Visit Mzima Springs when the site is open, following the authorised path with the required local guidance to learn how water links this dry country to the coast. Hippo may surface beneath the palms, while kingfishers watch the clear water. Return to the vehicle for game drives, taking your time because animals can be harder to spot in the thicker vegetation. Lunch and a shaded rest break divide the day before another drive through the park.

Overnight: Tsavo West Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Lava country and the water at Mzima
Day 3

Onward to Tsavo East

After breakfast you pack up and continue with your driver-guide, leaving time for breaks and a proper lunch. Leave the volcanic hills of Tsavo West and cross towards Tsavo East, where flatter ground and red soil signal a new part of the ecosystem. As you travel, your guide explains how rainfall, altitude and land use shape the country outside your window. The afternoon programme stays flexible around road conditions and park entry formalities. You arrive with time to settle in and talk through the next day, choosing a practical start that gives you the best light without making the transfer feel rushed.

Overnight: Tsavo East Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Onward to Tsavo East
Day 4

Red earth and the elephants of Tsavo East

Morning takes you across the broad, dry landscapes of Tsavo East, where elephants often wear the colour of the soil they dust over their backs. Scan waterholes and the edges of seasonal streams for animals arriving to drink, then follow the park roads towards open views of the plains. Giraffe, buffalo and antelope can draw your attention long before a predator appears. Your guide adjusts the distance covered to the heat and recent sightings, with lunch and a proper rest in the middle of the day. The final afternoon drive returns you before the park closes.

Overnight: Tsavo East Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Red earth and the elephants of Tsavo East
Day 5

Return to Nairobi

Enjoy breakfast and a last look at Tsavo East before beginning the return journey to Nairobi. Leave after breakfast for the long return to Nairobi, with no extended game drive scheduled before the transfer. Your guide plans comfort stops and leaves a sensible buffer for traffic approaching the capital. Choose an evening international departure only after the road schedule has been agreed, or finish at your Nairobi address and fly the following day. Before saying goodbye, you have time to compare favourite sightings, check that your bags and camera equipment are with you, and exchange the notes that will help you identify the birds and animals in your photographs.

Breakfast/Lunch
Return to Nairobi

Your route

The parks, lakes and towns you'll travel through, in order.

1 Nairobi 2 Tsavo West 3 Tsavo East 4 Nairobi

What's included

Driver-guide throughout the safari
Safari transport in a 4x4 vehicle
Park and conservancy entry for the listed itinerary
Accommodation for the listed overnight stops
Meals indicated in each itinerary day
Drinking water during safari drives
Game drives and guided activities explicitly listed as included
Nairobi pickup and drop-off, including agreed airport transfers
Local coordination and trip briefing
International flights
Entry authorisations, visas and passport costs
Travel and medical insurance
Optional activities and specialist experiences
Personal purchases and drinks other than listed water
Gratuities
Extra nights or transfers outside the confirmed itinerary

Prices

Seasonal rates / person / day
Peak · Jul–Oct & Christmas $580 a day $2,900 for 5 days
Shoulder · Jan–Mar, Nov & early Dec $500 a day $2,500 for 5 days
Green · Apr–Jun $440 a day $2,200 for 5 days
Travelling together

Book as a group and the saving is applied to your quote.

4+ travellers −5%
6+ travellers −8%

Rates are per person per day, sharing a room, and cover everything under what's included. Your tailored quote confirms the final price for your dates. International flights are not included.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When should I arrive in Nairobi?
Day one starts in the morning from an agreed Nairobi address or an early airport arrival. If your flight lands later, arrange a preceding Nairobi night and start the road journey the following morning; additional accommodation is quoted separately.
Why visit both Tsavo parks?
Tsavo West has more wooded and volcanic terrain, while Tsavo East offers broad dry-country views. Wildlife moves through changing habitats, so the two parks offer different viewing experiences.
Is Mzima Springs guaranteed?
The visit is included when the site is open and conditions allow. Your guide follows current park instructions and may adjust the route if access is restricted.
Can the safari finish at the coast?
A coast extension can be quoted separately. This version returns to Nairobi; choose the Amboseli, Tsavo and Diani itinerary for a planned safari and beach route.
How long is the 5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari?
It runs 5 days / 4 nights, travelling Nairobi → Tsavo West → Tsavo East → Nairobi. See the itinerary for every stop and activity.
How much does the 5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari cost?
Prices start from $500 per person per day ($2,500 per person for 5 days), depending on season and group size — group discounts apply and are listed in the pricing section. The rate covers everything listed under what's included.
When is the best time to do the 5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari?
The best time is Year-round; drier periods usually Jan–Mar and Jul–Oct. We run departures year-round and will advise on wildlife movements for your dates.
What is included in the 5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari?
Included: Driver-guide throughout the safari, Safari transport in a 4x4 vehicle, Park and conservancy entry for the listed itinerary, Accommodation for the listed overnight stops, Meals indicated in each itinerary day, Drinking water during safari drives, Game drives and guided activities explicitly listed as included, Nairobi pickup and drop-off, including agreed airport transfers, Local coordination and trip briefing. Not included: International flights, Entry authorisations, visas and passport costs, Travel and medical insurance, Optional activities and specialist experiences, Personal purchases and drinks other than listed water, Gratuities.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every Geob Ventures safari is tailor-made: we can change the pace, add or remove days, combine it with Zanzibar or gorilla trekking, or run it as a private departure. Send an enquiry from this page or use our Safari Planner.
Enquire

Let's plan your safari

5 Days Tsavo East & Tsavo West Safari · 5 days

Tell us when you'd like to travel and who's coming. A Geob safari specialist in Nairobi will reply within one working day with availability, a tailored quote and any changes you'd like.

  • No account or payment needed to enquire
  • Every itinerary can be adjusted to your dates and pace
  • Prefer to talk? +254 728 136 167
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