Tsavo safari options at a glance
Tsavo is two national parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The A109 road between Nairobi and Mombasa and the railway run between them. Tsavo East covers about 13,747 km² of open, semi-arid plains and acacia bush. Tsavo West covers about 9,065 km² and is hillier, with volcanic ground.
Most Tsavo safaris are planned as a day trip or as a route of 2 or 3 days. These lengths are planning options, not rules, and no minimum stay is required. Each park has its own entry fee, and you pay for the days you are inside.
Our picks: Tsavo safaris of one to three days
The day safari in a shared van is the cheapest way in, but the park entry is extra and the drive is long. The two-day small-group trip adds a night in the park area, and the three-day route with Amboseli has fees for both parks in the price.
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.
3-day Tsavo East and Amboseli safari from the coast
- Fees for both parks
- Two nights, full board
- Pop-up roof vehicle
Tsavo East and Amboseli in one trip, starting at your coast hotel instead of in Nairobi. Park fees for both are in the price, and the Maasai village stop is extra.
Check availability →2-day Tsavo East safari for up to 8 people
- Shared 4x4 or van
- One night in a lodge or tent camp
- Three meals
Game drives in Tsavo East with a small group, driving there by road from the coast. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
Check availability →
Tsavo East full-day safari in a shared van
- Shared safari van
- Game drives in Tsavo East
- Hotel transfer
A full day in Tsavo East from the coast, with a drive of about three hours each way. Park entry is extra, so add it to your budget.
Check availability →Tsavo safaris and day trips
Game drives in Tsavo East and Tsavo West, day trips and multi-day safaris, with live prices and availability. Check which park fees and meals each offer includes.
Day trip, 2 days or 3 days
What each length gives you and what to budget for.
| Length | Fits best | Park fees to budget | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip | One park, one area, starting close to a gate | One daily entry for one park | Gates close at 18:00 for day visitors, so the start time sets your hours in the park |
| 2 days | One park with a night near or inside it | Entry for the days you spend inside | An overnight stay lets you be at the gate when it opens at 06:00 |
| 3 days | A second morning drive or a stop in the other park | One fee per park and per 24 hours | Moving to the other park means paying its fee as well |
For most first-time visitors, 2 days in one park is the practical middle. You get one night close to the wildlife and two early starts without a long transfer in between. If you are short on time, a day trip works when you pick a single area. If you start on the coast, read our guide to a safari and beach trip and the page on safaris from Mombasa.
Tsavo East safari
A Tsavo East safari is mostly open plains and bush, with the Galana River running through the park. Named stops include the Aruba Dam game viewing point, Mudanda Rock and Lugard's Falls. Tsavo East is known for its red elephants. The red colour is dust from iron-rich soil, not a separate kind of elephant.
Male lions in Tsavo East are known for being maneless, although you should not expect every lion to look that way. Chances of seeing elephants are good, but nobody can promise a sighting on a given day. The 2025 national wildlife census counted 17,266 elephants for the whole Tsavo ecosystem, not for Tsavo East alone.
Read more on the Tsavo East guide, or compare both parks in Tsavo East or West.
Tsavo West safari
Tsavo West is the park for lava, springs and hills. Its attractions include Mzima Springs, the Shetani lava flow with cave exploration, Chaimu Hill, Five Sisters, Roaring Rocks and Poacher's Lookout. Not every trail or cave is open every day, so ask your operator or KWS before you plan around one.
The rhino sanctuary was enlarged, with the official opening of the expanded area in September 2026. Check which routes and gate times apply when you book. Walking safaris exist as a charged activity for organised groups of up to 10 people.
See the Tsavo West guide and Mzima Springs for details.
What a Tsavo safari costs
Entry, vehicle, ranger and camping charges are separate items. Together they do not add up to an all-in safari price, because transport, guide, meals and lodging come on top. Ask any provider for a written breakdown of what is in the price. Rates below are for 2026.
- Park entry, adult: $80 for non-residents, $40 for African citizens outside the East African Community, KES 1,350 for Kenya residents and KES 1,000 for East African citizens. Children and qualifying students pay half.
- Vehicle per day: KES 600 for vehicles with fewer than 6 seats, KES 1,500 for 6–12 seats and KES 3,000 for 13–24 seats. The seat category counts, not the number of people on board.
- Ranger security escort: KES 2,000 per group and ranger for up to 4 hours, KES 4,000 for longer, with at least 2 rangers. This is not a fee for a private guide.
- Walking safari: $50 per person, per day and per park for non-residents and African citizens, KES 3,000 for East African citizens and residents. Entry and security are extra.
Two combination packages exist for non-residents: Tsavo West with Amboseli at $150 for adults and $80 for children and students, and Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Amboseli at $215 and $115. Check the terms before you build a route around them. For the Amboseli side, see Amboseli entry fees. The full table is on the Tsavo park fees page.
Rules on a game drive
The same rules apply in both parks.
Stay on the roads
Driving off the existing tracks is not allowed. Cutting across open ground between sights is not an option, so allow time for the road distances.
40 km/h and 20 m
The speed limit is 40 km/h. Keep at least 20 metres from wildlife.
Get out only where allowed
Leave the vehicle only at designated areas. Do not feed animals, and single-use plastic is banned.
Gate hours
Gates run from 06:00 to 18:00 unless you stay overnight. An overnight stay does not automatically allow free driving after dark.
Taita Hills Sanctuary
The private Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has its own entry rules and fees, so a Tsavo entry fee does not cover it. See Taita Hills.
Tsavo safari: frequently asked questions
How long should a Tsavo safari be?
A day trip covers one area of one park. Two days give you a night near the park and two early starts. Three days leave room for a second morning drive or the other park. These lengths are planning options, not rules.
Is one ticket valid for both Tsavo East and Tsavo West?
No. There is no combined ticket for the two parks. Plan on one entry fee per park and per 24 hours. Special packages exist with Amboseli, and their terms are set by KWS.
Can I see the big animals on a Tsavo safari?
Chances of elephants, giraffes and buffalo are good. Rhinos and lions are harder to find, and no operator can promise a sighting.
Can I go on a walking safari?
Yes, as a charged activity for organised groups of up to 10 people, per person, per day and per park. Entry and security are extra, and conditions apply.
Is this the official Tsavo website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Fees and rules come from the Kenya Wildlife Service, so confirm the current rates with KWS before you go.