Safari from Mombasa to Tsavo at a glance
Tsavo East is the nearer of the two parks if you start in Mombasa. Three gates are easy to reach by road from Mombasa. These distances are measured to the gate, not to your lodge or to a sight inside the park, so the drive continues after you enter.
Tsavo West is further away. Its main gate at Mtito Andei is about 250 km from Mombasa. From Diani the trip is longer again, and the distances here do not apply to it. Work out the pickup time with your operator.
Our picks: Tsavo safaris from Mombasa and Diani
The day trip is possible from the coast but means about three hours of driving each way. For a more relaxed plan, the overnight safaris with the park fee in the price let you see Tsavo East over two days, and the Taita Hills option adds the private sanctuary.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day Tsavo East and Taita Hills safari
- Tsavo East and Taita Hills fees
- Full board, one night
- Pop-up roof vehicle
Game drives in Tsavo East and in the private Taita Hills sanctuary, with both sets of fees in the price. A night drive and the Maasai village stop are extra.
Check availability →
Overnight Tsavo East safari from the coast
- Tsavo East entry included
- One night, three meals
- Pop-up roof vehicle
Two days in Tsavo East with one night in the park area, so you are there for both an evening and a morning. The park fee is in the price.
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Tsavo East day trip from the coast
- Game drives in Tsavo East
- Hotel transfer
- Lunch and guide
A van trip to Tsavo East with about three hours of driving each way, so the day is long. The park fee is extra.
Check availability →Safaris from Mombasa and the coast
Day trips and overnight safaris to Tsavo with pickup on the coast, with live prices and availability. Check the pickup point, the park fees and the meals in each offer.
Day trip or overnight safari from Mombasa
What each option means for your time in the park.
| Day trip | Overnight safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Time in the park | The hours between your arrival at the gate and closing at 18:00 | Two game drive mornings, starting when the gate opens at 06:00 |
| Coverage | One area of Tsavo East | More of one park, or both parks with a longer route |
| Park fees | One daily entry, valid up to 24 hours | Entry for each day inside, plus a second park if you add it |
| Watch for | The drive in and out comes out of your day | Camping and lodging are separate costs |
A coast day trip is not a full visit to both big parks, and what is possible depends on your route and pickup point. For most visitors from Mombasa, one night in or near Tsavo East is the safer plan, because the long drive then does not eat into your game drives. For other lengths see Tsavo safari options.
By road or by Madaraka Express
By road, the three Tsavo East gates are Bachuma, Voi and Manyani. Pick the gate that matches the area you want to see and the route of your driver. Gates run from 06:00 to 18:00 unless you stay overnight, and driving to the gate in daylight is the simpler plan.
By train, the Madaraka Express runs daily between Mombasa Terminus and Voi. The morning Inter-County train leaves Mombasa at 08:00 and reaches Voi at 09:49, which is 1 hour 49 minutes. The afternoon Express leaves at 15:00 and reaches Voi at 16:38. The night train leaves at 22:00 and reaches Voi at 23:45. A one-way fare from Mombasa to Voi is KES 440 in economy and KES 1,320 in first class, so confirm the price when you book.
The timetable stops at the station. Getting from your hotel to Mombasa Terminus and from Voi station to a gate is not part of it, and the station is not a park entrance. Read Madaraka Express to Tsavo and Voi and Mtito Andei before you plan around it.
Safari and beach on the Kenyan coast
Many travellers combine Tsavo with the sea.
Safari first, beach after
Ending on the coast lets you rest after the early starts. Our coast partner guide explains this in safari and beach combinations.
Diani and the south coast
If you stay at the beach in the south, the trip to Tsavo is longer than from Mombasa. Ask for the exact pickup time before you book, and see Diani Beach.
Plan the park fees early
Entry is paid through the KWS eCitizen system, so plan on paying without cash. Details are on Tsavo park fees.
What to check before you book
- Pickup point and time: The gate distances start in Mombasa. Your hotel may be further away.
- Which park: Tsavo East is the nearer park and easier to plan as a day trip. Tsavo West needs a longer road leg.
- Fees: Ask whether the park entry, the vehicle fee and any ranger escort are in the price.
- Daylight driving: Government travel advice recommends planning road trips in Kenya for daylight and staying in lodges or guarded campsites in national parks.
- Insurance: Most short-term visitors to Kenya need compulsory Kenyan health insurance in addition to the eTA. Check the current entry rules for your nationality.
Safari from Mombasa: frequently asked questions
How far is Tsavo East from Mombasa?
By road it is 110 km to Bachuma Gate, 156 km to Voi Gate and 191 km to Manyani Gate. The distances are to the gate, not to a lodge or sight inside the park.
Can I do Tsavo as a day trip from Mombasa?
Yes, if you start early and choose one area of Tsavo East. The drive to and from the gate takes time out of your day, and gates close at 18:00 for day visitors. One night in or near the park gives you more time.
Can I take the train from Mombasa to Voi?
Yes. The Madaraka Express stops at Voi on the morning, afternoon and night services. The morning train takes 1 hour 49 minutes. You still need a transfer from Voi station to the park, and the timetable does not cover it.
What about a safari from Diani?
The distances on this page are measured from Mombasa. From Diani the trip is longer, so ask your operator for the pickup time and the total length of the day.
Is this the official Tsavo website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Fees and rules come from the Kenya Wildlife Service, and train times from Kenya Railways, so check both before you go.