5-Day Tsavo East and Tsavo West Safari

Last updated October 2026. Planned by Victoria Kayaga, founder of Afraeka Adventures, with over 7 years in East African tourism.

5 day Tsavo safari: quick answer

This 5 day Tsavo safari explores Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, which together form one of Kenya’s largest protected areas. Tsavo East is known for its elephants, often coated in the area’s red dust, and Tsavo West for its varied landscapes.

It suits travellers who want a less crowded safari than the Masai Mara, with wide, wild landscapes. The parks are large, so game drives can be long, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Day-by-day route of the 5 day Tsavo safari

Day 1: drive southeast from Nairobi to Tsavo West, about 5 hours away. After lunch you take an afternoon game drive.

Day 2: visit Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear water emerges from volcanic rock, and the Shetani lava flow, a dark field of ancient lava, with game drives for elephants, buffaloes and giraffes.

Day 3: travel to Tsavo East, a drive of roughly 3 hours with a game drive on the way.

Day 4: a full day in Tsavo East, with game drives across the open plains and stops at Lugard Falls and the Galana River, looking for the park’s red elephants, lions, buffaloes and many birds.

Day 5: drive back to Nairobi, a long day of around 7 hours with stops, arriving in the evening.

What to expect on a 5 day Tsavo safari

The scale of Tsavo is part of its appeal. You can drive for long stretches without seeing another vehicle.

Mzima Springs and the lava flow add landscapes you will not see in the Mara.

The drive back to Nairobi is long, so pack snacks and keep your flight times flexible.

Read our Kenya safaris page and the East Africa Tourist Visa guide to prepare.

What is included

Included are airport pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi, a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, meals as specified, bottled drinking water, Tsavo East and Tsavo West park fees and accommodation for 4 nights.

International flights, Kenya eTA or visa fees, insurance, tips, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities are not included.

How Afraeka plans your Tsavo safari

We start with your dates and interests, then book lodges inside or near each park.

We adjust the pace if you prefer fewer long drives.

Send us your questions and we will reply by email with a personal quote.

Who this safari suits

Travellers who want a wilder, quieter safari than the Mara and who enjoy big landscapes.

5 day Tsavo safari FAQ

Which parks are visited?

Tsavo West and Tsavo East.

What are the red elephants?

Elephants in Tsavo East are often coated in the area’s red dust.

How long is the drive back?

Around 7 hours with stops.

Are park fees included?

Yes, Tsavo East and Tsavo West park fees are included.

Related guides and sources

Check destination information with the official Magical Kenya tourism site, compare more options on our East Africa multi-country safaris page, or request a free quote for this 5 day Tsavo safari.

The 5 day Tsavo safari in more detail

Two parks, one big wilderness

Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks together form one of Kenya’s largest protected areas. This 5 day Tsavo safari visits both, so you see two different faces of the same wilderness. It suits travellers who want a less crowded safari than the Masai Mara, with wide, wild landscapes. The scale is part of the appeal: you can drive for long stretches without seeing another vehicle.

Tsavo West: springs and lava

The route begins with a drive southeast from Nairobi to Tsavo West, about 5 hours away, followed by an afternoon game drive. The next day brings two landscapes you will not find in the Mara. Mzima Springs is where crystal-clear water emerges from volcanic rock, and the Shetani lava flow is a dark field of ancient lava. Game drives between them look for elephants, buffaloes and giraffes.

Tsavo East: red elephants and open plains

On day three you travel to Tsavo East, a drive of roughly 3 hours with a game drive on the way. Tsavo East is known for its elephants, often coated in the area’s red dust. Your full day there covers the open plains, with stops at Lugard Falls and the Galana River, looking for the red elephants, lions, buffaloes and many birds.

The drive back

The last day is a long drive back to Nairobi, around 7 hours with stops, arriving in the evening. Pack snacks and keep your onward flight times flexible so the day is relaxed.

Pace and sightings

The parks are large, so game drives can be long. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the quiet and the space give the safari its own character. If you prefer fewer long drives, tell us and we will adjust the pace.

What is included

The safari includes airport pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi, a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, meals as specified, bottled drinking water, Tsavo East and Tsavo West park fees and accommodation for 4 nights. International flights, Kenya eTA or visa fees, insurance, tips, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities are not included.

Planning tips

We book lodges inside or near each park to suit your interests. Check the current entry rules on the official Kenya eTA site before you travel, and send us your questions: we reply by email with a personal quote.