Quick Facts
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Land Cruiser |
| Destination | Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West |
| Lodge | Salt Lick Lodge or Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa |
| Pickup | Mombasa or Diani hotels |
| Price From | USD 410–690 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | Travellers who want a genuine game drive experience without giving up much beach time |
The Taita Hills & Salt Lick safari is Mombasa's shortest route into real Kenyan bush. It's a 2-day, 1-night private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, built for travellers who want a genuine game drive experience without giving up beach time.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary borders Tsavo West National Park and covers roughly 28,000 acres of private conservancy. You'll find elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and over 300 bird species here. Salt Lick Lodge, the sanctuary's signature property, is built on stilts around a floodlit waterhole. It's one of the most photographed lodges in Africa, and one reason this route ranks so well on social media.
This is a private tour. No shared vans, no fixed group departures. You travel with your own guide, your own vehicle, and your own schedule.
Safari Highlights
- 2 days / 1 night, private safari
- Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, roughly 28,000 acres
- Elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe, zebra
- Over 300 recorded bird species
- Stay at Salt Lick Lodge or Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa
- Salt Lick's stilted rooms over a floodlit waterhole
- Early morning and late afternoon game drives
- Optional underground tunnel viewing at Salt Lick
- Pickup and drop-off from Mombasa or Diani
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Mombasa/Diani to Taita Hills
Early morning pickup from your hotel. Drive via Voi town, roughly 4–5 hours depending on traffic, with an en-route game drive as you enter the sanctuary.
Check in at Salt Lick Lodge or Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa around midday. Lunch, then a rest period. Afternoon game drive through the sanctuary, tracking lions, elephants and other wildlife until sunset.
Day 2: Sanctuary Game Drive to Coast
Early morning game drive before breakfast — peak time for predator activity and birdlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast overlooking the waterhole.
Check out late morning. Drive back to Mombasa or Diani, arriving early to mid-afternoon.
Optional Add-Ons
A visit to the Salt Lick tunnel for close-range waterhole viewing, or a stop at Taita's WWI museum sites if time allows.
Tour Cost & Pricing
Rates are per person, sharing, on a private Land Cruiser safari. Group size affects the per-person rate because the vehicle and guide cost is split. Final pricing depends on lodge choice, exact dates, and current park fees.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril, May, November
- High SeasonJune–October, December–March, excluding peak
- Peak SeasonMid-December to early January, August
Private Safari Rates (Per Person Sharing)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | From $520 pp | From $460 pp | From $410 pp |
| High Season | From $610 pp | From $540 pp | From $480 pp |
| Peak Season | From $690 pp | From $610 pp | From $550 pp |
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mombasa or Diani
- All park and sanctuary entrance fees
- 1 night accommodation at your chosen lodge
- Full board meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch)
- All game drives per itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during transit
Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Optional activities (Salt Lick tunnel visit fee where applicable, museum entry)
- Items of a personal nature
Getting There
Pickup point is your hotel in Mombasa or Diani. The drive to Taita Hills covers roughly 200–230 km via the Mombasa–Nairobi highway through Voi town, and takes 4–5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Most tours build a short game drive into this leg, so the time doubles as viewing time, not dead transit.
Route Map
Alternative: SGR Train
The Madaraka Express SGR train runs from Nairobi to Voi Railway Station, with a road transfer to the lodge. This works if you're combining this safari with a Nairobi leg of your trip. Contact us if you need this route arranged.
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