Red elephants, the Yatta Plateau, and 22,000 km² of pure wilderness
Tsavo is enormous. East and West combined, it covers 22,000 square kilometres — a third the size of Switzerland — and yet sees a fraction of the visitors of the Mara. That's the appeal. You can drive for an hour and meet no other vehicle. You can park beside the Galana River and watch a herd of red elephants drink in silence.
From Diani Beach, Tsavo East is just three hours north on the Mombasa–Nairobi highway. It's the only park you can credibly combine with a beach holiday in a single day if you want to. We strongly recommend an overnight — Tsavo's animals are at their most active at dawn, and you can't be there at dawn from a Diani hotel.
Tsavo's elephants throw the park's iron-rich red soil over themselves. They look terracotta. The herds here are some of Kenya's largest and the bulls grow heavy tusks — Satao II, one of the last great tuskers, lived here until 2017.
The world's longest lava flow — 290km of ancient basalt rising from the plains in a sheer cliff. Best viewed from Lugard's Falls or the Voi viewpoint.
Crystalline freshwater pools fed by Kilimanjaro snowmelt. Underwater viewing chamber lets you watch hippos and crocodiles below the waterline. Add a half-day in Tsavo West to include this.
Tsavo gets fewer visitors per square kilometre than almost any major Kenyan park. You will not be in a queue of vehicles around a sighting. The trade-off: animals are more spread out and the drives are longer.
"Driving through Tsavo, you don't pass other vehicles. You pass red elephants. That's the trade you make for the wildness — and it's worth it." — Field notes from a guide
A typical itinerary — but flexible. Tell us how you like to travel and we'll adjust pace, accommodation tier and activities to suit you.
Pickup from Diani at 6am sharp — the early start is essential. Three-hour drive via the Mombasa highway and Bachuma Gate. By 11am you're inside the park. Late morning drive along the Galana River — almost guaranteed red elephants, often crocodile and hippo. Lunch at Voi Safari Lodge or Sentrim Tsavo East. Afternoon drive into the Aruba Dam area. Sundowner at the Yatta viewpoint. Dinner at lodge.
Coffee at 5:45, out by 6 — this is when the lions move. We drive west toward Lugard's Falls (a stretch of the Galana where it forces through a narrow basalt gorge). Brunch at the lodge at 9:30. Pack out by 11. Drive back to Diani via Voi, arriving around 3pm.
We work with all of these properties directly. Pricing below is per person, twin-share, all-inclusive of meals and game drives where stated.
Just outside the Bachuma Gate, easy access to the south of the park. Forty rooms, pool, decent restaurant. The closest lodge to Diani — saves drive time.
On a rocky outcrop overlooking the Voi River and a permanent waterhole — animals come to drink at dusk. The infinity pool faces the watering hole. Old-school but in a great location.
Riverside tents on the Galana, 17 tents only, much more remote. Walking safaris allowed in the conservation area outside the park boundary. Best choice if you have a third night and want to slow down.
No deposit to enquire. We'll confirm availability, hold your dates for 48 hours, and send a tailored quote within one business day.
All prices below are in USD per person, twin-share, for the same 2 days / 1 night package. Bigger groups pay less per head — same trip, same lodges, same vehicles, just shared between more people. Kenyan-resident rates available — ask us.
📌 What's included: Closest big-game park to Diani. Pickup from your Diani hotel. Half-board lodge stay.
Groups of 10+ or special requests? We arrange private vehicle convoys, exclusive-use lodges, weddings, incentive trips, school groups and family reunions. Send a WhatsApp message to +254 797 036 943 or email booking@almondsafaris.com for a custom quote within one business day.