Tsavo East

Tsavo East Safari

Red elephants and open plains, from the coast

Tsavo East · Coast hinterlandFull day (overnight option)Easy — long hours in a vehicle

A red-dusted elephant in the grassland of Tsavo East National Park

A herd of red-dusted elephants grazing in Tsavo East National Park

Overview

The classic safari from the Kenya Coast — the open country of Tsavo East, the Galana River, the Yatta Plateau, and elephants the colour of the soil.

Tsavo East is one of Kenya's largest national parks and the obvious safari for anyone whose trip is otherwise based on the beach.

The country is open and dry, which changes how you see wildlife: instead of looking into bush, you look across distance. The Galana River draws game, Aruba Dam concentrates it in dry months, and the Yatta Plateau — a long spine of ancient lava — runs along the park's western side.

The elephants are the signature. Tsavo's soil is deep red, and elephants that dust and roll in it come out the same colour. It is the image most people leave with.

We run this as a day trip from the coast and as an overnight when guests want more time in the park and the better light at each end of the day. Tell us which you want when you enquire.

Highlights

Red-dusted elephants
Galana River
Yatta Plateau
Open plains game viewing
Day trip or overnight

Itinerary

Early
Collection from your hotel
An early start from the coast for the drive inland to the park gate.
Morning
Into the park
Enter Tsavo East and begin the game drive across open country, looking for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and plains game.
Midday
Galana River and Aruba
Work the areas that hold water and draw game, with the Yatta Plateau along the western horizon.
Afternoon
Afternoon drive
A second drive as the light softens and animals become more active again.
Return
Back to the coast
The drive back to your hotel — or, on the overnight option, to your lodge inside or near the park.

What’s included

Included

Road transport — Coast to park and back
Driver-guide
Game drives in the park
Drinking water

Not included

Park entry fees — Set by Kenya Wildlife Service
Meals and drinks — Can be arranged in advance
Accommodation — On the overnight option, quoted separately
Gratuities
Travel insurance

Meeting point & pickup

We collect you from your hotel on the coast; the park gate is confirmed with your booking.

Early hotel pickup from the north and south coast. The start is early — we confirm your exact time in writing.

What to bring

Neutral, light clothing and a warm layer for early starts
Sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
Binoculars and a camera with a zoom if you have one
Cash for park entry fees
Any medication you need — the park is a long way from a pharmacy

Important information

Park entry fees are set by Kenya Wildlife Service and are payable separately unless we confirm otherwise in writing.
This is a long day with substantial driving in each direction. An overnight option exists and gives you far better light and far better game viewing.
Wildlife is wild. We go to the places these animals are usually found and we give you the best chance we can, but no sighting can be guaranteed by us or by anyone else.
Stay in the vehicle unless your guide tells you otherwise.
Exact departure and return times are confirmed in writing when your booking is confirmed. Timings on this coast follow the tide, the sea state and the day’s conditions rather than a fixed timetable.
What is and is not included is restated on your booking confirmation. If anything here is unclear, ask us before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Is a day trip to Tsavo East worth it?

It is a long day with a lot of driving, and it is still the best chance most coast visitors have of seeing Tsavo. If you can spare a night, the overnight option is a substantially better trip — better light, better sightings, less time on the road.

Why are the elephants red?

Tsavo’s soil is deep red. Elephants dust and roll in it, and it stays on their skin. It is the same animal you would see elsewhere, wearing Tsavo.

Will we see lions?

Predators are present in the park. Whether you see them on a given drive is a matter of ground covered and luck — we will not promise you a sighting.

How much are the park fees?

Kenya Wildlife Service sets them and they change, so we confirm the current amount for your date in writing rather than publish a figure here that may be out of date.