Quick Facts
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
|---|---|
| Style | Private safari — your own vehicle and guide |
| Vehicle | 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Parks Covered | Tsavo East and Tsavo West, entering via Sala Gate |
| Pickup | Watamu, Malindi, or Mombasa hotels |
| Price From | USD 320–540 pp (season-dependent, 2–6 people sharing) |
| Best For | Coastal travellers wanting a real safari without flying to Nairobi or the Mara |
This 2-day private safari takes you from Watamu to Tsavo East and Tsavo West, Kenya's largest protected wilderness. You travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, guided by your own driver-guide. No group joining, no shared vehicle.
Tsavo East is flat, dry, and open. It's known for red-dust elephants, the Galana River, and Lugard Falls. Tsavo West is greener and hillier, with volcanic scenery, Mzima Springs, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Together, they cover over 13,700 km², making this one of the best short safaris available from the Kenya coast.
This trip suits travellers based in Watamu, Malindi, or nearby coastal resorts who want a real safari without flying to Nairobi or the Mara.
Safari Highlights
- 2 days / 1 night across two parks
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Tsavo East's red-dust elephants, Galana River and Aruba Dam
- Mzima Springs underwater viewing chamber
- Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a fenced enclave protecting black rhinos
- Two full game drives on Day 1, plus a sunrise drive on Day 2
- Pickup from Watamu, Malindi, or Mombasa
- Can be extended to include Amboseli or Taita Hills
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Watamu to Tsavo East
Pick-up from your Watamu hotel is early, usually between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. The drive to Tsavo East's Sala Gate takes roughly 3 to 4 hours on the Malindi–Tsavo road. On arrival, you go straight into a game drive.
Expect to see elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, and possibly cheetahs. Stops include the Galana River, home to crocodiles and hippos, and Aruba Dam, a key watering point for wildlife. Lunch and check-in happen at your lodge or tented camp. After a midday rest, a second game drive runs until sunset. Dinner and overnight follow at the lodge.
Day 2: Tsavo East to Tsavo West, Return to Watamu
An early morning game drive covers areas missed the day before, often timed for sunrise light. After breakfast, you check out and drive toward Tsavo West, about an hour from Tsavo East.
Tsavo West has a different character: volcanic hills, lava flows, and denser greenery. You visit Mzima Springs, where hippos and crocodiles are visible underwater through a glass viewing chamber, and, if time allows, stop at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. The return drive to Watamu starts in the afternoon, arriving back at your hotel by early evening.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
All safaris run in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep — no sharing with other travellers. Prices are per person, based on double or shared occupancy, in USD, and vary by season and group size.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril, May, November
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June–July, October
- Peak SeasonAugust, September, December
Private Land Cruiser Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $420 | $360 | $320 |
| High Season | $480 | $410 | $365 |
| Peak Season | $540 | $460 | $410 |
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Round-trip transport from Watamu or Malindi
- All park entry fees for Tsavo East and Tsavo West
- Accommodation for 1 night (lodge or tented camp)
- All meals while on safari (full board)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- All game drives as per itinerary
Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, extra drinks)
- Tips for driver-guide and lodge staff
- Optional activities (walking safaris, night drives where available)
Getting There
Watamu is on Kenya's north coast, about 25 km south of Malindi and 115 km north of Mombasa. We pick you up directly from your hotel in Watamu, Malindi, or Mombasa.
By road, the drive from Watamu to Tsavo East's Sala Gate takes 3 to 4 hours, mostly on tarmac with some rougher sections closer to the park. From Tsavo West back to Watamu, the return trip takes around 4 to 5 hours.
No internal flights are needed for this route. This is a road safari, which keeps the cost lower than fly-in options from the coast.
