6-day Kenya and beach: Tsavo and the Sea – Platinum

‘Jambo!’ As you walk out of Moi International Airport, your personal Africa Safari Trips guide greets you with a big smile on his face. ‘Karibu Kenya – welcome to Kenya!’

Our Africa Safari Trips guide takes you straight from the airport to your hotel in Bamburi, a beautiful beach north of the city center of Mombasa. The drive gives you the first impressions of the vibrant city of Mombasa. You take in the old buildings, the traffic with the motortaxis and colourful matatu’s (local public transport), and the hussle and bussle of people living their every day life…

Ask your guide anything that comes to mind, because he knows all about Kenyan life and culture. But not only that; he also gladly tells you everything about the beautiful national parks you are about to visit. So ask whatever you want – he will do his utmost best to answer all your questions…!

The Tsavo East National Park at a five to six hour drive from Mombasa is impressive and huge with its 13,000 square kilometers in size. It’s mostly famous for its many lions and elephants. Here you cruise the outstretched savannah of the Yatta Plateau, while large groups of elephants walk these red dusty plains. En route you pass a spectacular amount of other animals. All members of the Big Five live here, together with zebras, giraffes, African wild dogs, cheetahs, antilopes, impalas and more.

There are a few spots in Tsavo that are perfect for admiring wildlife: Madunda Rock, Lugard Falls and the Aruba Dam. The 1,6 kilometers rock formation of Madunda allows for great viewing of animals drinking below. Lugard Falls is not an actual waterfall but a series of rapid waters that are filled with hippos and crocs. Last but not least, the Aruba Dam creates a waterbassin in the Voi River that is a favorite drinking spot for many animals. Tsavo East National Park basically has it all!

Today you have a full day to explore the varied beauty of Tsavo East National Park, and hopefully spot all of the Big Five.

For the longest time, only animals and small local tribes inhabited this part of country. In the 1890s, however, the British began a concerted effort to colonise the interior of Kenya. They built a railway through Tsavo to connect Mombasa and Nairobi. The land was vast and not good for cultivation. This is why the government decided in 1948 to make it a national park and create room for elephants and rhinos to thrive and be safe from poaching.

The building of the railway had been traumatic however. Many construction workers died during their work, some of whom were killed by lions. Two of these majestic animals terrorised the railway construction crew for weeks and killed one hundred and thirty five workers before they were shot. This is why Tsavo East is still famous for its man-eating lions and why there is even a Man Eaters Lodge. But rest assured, even though there are over a hundred lions in Tsavo, human flesh has not been on their menu for many, many years…!

Diani Beach lies 20 kilometers south of Mombasa. Today you leave Tsavo East National Park and drive in seven hours to the 15 kilometers long stretch of beach called Diani. With rows of coconut trees, white powdery sand, amazing sunsets, beautiful resorts, high-class restaurants, water sport centers and even wildlife, Diani Beach basically has it all.

Diani has a stunning aquatic life to offer for those who like to explore the Indian Ocean. Ranging from humpback whales (September) to whale sharks (January to March) and dolphins (all year round), to seahorses, nudibranches and ghostpipe fish – your safari just continues under water.

Use your days to go scuba diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, windsurfing, boat rides or jet skiing, or of course just to relax on the beach. It’s also possible to do a day tour to the nearby city of Mombasa – stroll through old town and experience this vibrant city with its Arabic influences.

All good things come to an end and today is the day you fly back home. Enjoy your last hours on the beautiful Diani Beach before our driver takes you to Mombasa to catch your flight.

Lovers of old cities can use this last day to stroll around in Mombasa. This city is definitely worth your while with its famous Old Town, ocean view, abundant markets and several historic sites. Mombasa is much smaller than say Nairobi, but its merchants atmosphere, old buildings, cobblestone streets and Arabic influences make for a beautiful experience…!

Feel like you want more? Instead of going home it is possible to add more national parks or days on the beach to this program. Ask our sellers for the possibilities!