04:30 – 05:00 – Pick-up from your hotel in Diani (a bit earlier to allow time for crossing the Likoni Ferry). Guests staying in Mombasa will be picked up slightly later depending on their hotel location. Your driver-guide will brief you on the day ahead as you set off inland towards Tsavo East.
06:30 – Short comfort stop on the way, where you can stretch your legs, grab a cup of coffee, and use washrooms before continuing the journey.
07:30 – 08:00 – Arrive at Bachuma Gate, the main entry point into Tsavo East National Park. After registration, your adventure begins with the first game drive into the vast, open savannahs of the park.
08:00 – 11:00 – Morning game drive. With the golden morning light spreading across the landscape, you’ll explore prime wildlife areas such as Aruba Dam and the Kanderi Swamps. Keep an eye out for the park’s famous red elephants, as well as lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, ostriches, and if lucky, the elusive cheetah or leopard. Your guide will share insights on the animals, birds, and the history of Tsavo East, known as the “Theatre of the Wild.”
11:00 – 12:30 – Break for lunch. Depending on your preference, this can either be a picnic in a scenic spot within the park or a hot lunch at a safari lodge such as Voi Safari Lodge or Ashnil Aruba, both offering fantastic views of waterholes frequented by wildlife.
12:30 – 15:00 – After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive, venturing deeper into the park’s wilderness. This is a great chance to visit highlights such as Mudanda Rock, a natural viewpoint where elephants often gather at the base, or follow the Galana River, home to hippos and crocodiles. Expect more close-up encounters with elephants, herds of antelope, and a wide variety of birdlife.
15:00 – 15:30 – Begin your journey back to Mombasa or Diani, exiting through Bachuma Gate.
17:30 – 18:30 – Drop-off at Mombasa hotels, depending on traffic.
