Safari from Mombasa

Kenya's wildlife is two hours from your hotel. Here's how to get there.

Mombasa is Kenya’s second city, and the gateway to the country’s coast. Most people come here for the beach, and that’s reason enough on its own.

But Mombasa also sits within easy reach of some of East Africa’s finest national parks. Tsavo East is 120 km away. Shimba Hills is 50 km. Amboseli is five hours by road. The Maasai Mara is an hour by air.

If you’re in Mombasa and want to fit in a safari, whether it’s a day, a night, or a full week, there’s no need to travel to Nairobi to arrange it.

We’re a coast-based safari company. Mombasa is our home base. We handle pick-ups from every hotel and private property in the city and along the north coast (Bamburi, Shanzu, Nyali) and south coast (Diani, Tiwi), ferry crossing included where needed. We run our own safaris directly, no middlemen, no outsourcing.

For guests staying south of the island: we arrange the Likoni ferry crossing without any hassle, we take care of it.

Mombasa Safari Packages, From Half a Day to a Full Week

We don’t sell fixed, one-size-fits-all packages. We build your safari around your dates, your group, and what you actually want to experience.

That said, here are the most common itineraries we run from Mombasa, so you can get a sense of what’s on offer.

Our most popular choice

Tsavo East Day Trip from Mombasa

Kenya’s largest national park is 2.5 hours from your hotel. Leave at dawn, spend the day among the wildlife, and be back at your hotel that same evening.

Departure: 5:00 to 5:45am
varies by hotel

Distance: 120 km
2.5 hours from Mombasa

Return: between 6:30 and 8:00pm
back to your hotel

Time in the park: 8 to 8.5 hours
2 to 3 game drives included

Starting from: 150 USD per person (minimum 2 people)

3 Day Flying Safari Maasai Mara

Destination: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Flight time: 1.5 to 2 hours from Mombasa/Malindi

Return flight: included

Accommodation: full board lodge or tented camp

Game drives: 4 to 5 safaris over 3 days

Best time to go: year-round. Great Migration: July to October

3 Day Amboseli Safari from the Coast

Destination: Amboseli National Park

Duration: 3 days / 2 nights

Departure: 5:00am (road) / flexible (flight)

Travel time: 4.5 to 5 hours from Mombasa

Flying option: 1 hour from Moi International Airport

Accommodation: full board lodge or tented camp

Best time to go: January to March, July to October (clearest mountain views)

4 Days Tsavo East & West Safari

Destination: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

Departure: between 6:00 and 7:00am (varies by location)

Return: late afternoon on the final day

Tsavo East Overnight Safari (2 Days/1 Night)

Destination: Tsavo East National Park

Duration: 2 days / 1 night

Departure: between 6:30 and 7:15am (varies by location)

Return: between 12:30 and 2:30pm (varies by location)

Accommodation: full board lodge or tented camp

Tsavo East Day Trip

Duration: 1 day

Departure: between 5:00 and 5:45am (varies by location)

Return: between 6:30 and 8:00pm (varies by location)

Time spent inside the park: 8 to 8.5 hours

Shimba Hills Half Day Safari

Destination: Shimba Hills National Reserve

Duration: half day (5 to 6 hours)

Departure: 6:30am from Diani / 6:00am from Mombasa

Travel time: 30 minutes from Diani / 1 hour from Mombasa

Time in the reserve: 3 to 4 hours

Best time to go: year-round

The Parks Within Reach of Mombasa

Mombasa’s location works in your favor. The city sits on an island at the center of Kenya’s coast, with roads running north to Malindi, south to Diani, and west straight through to Tsavo.

Every major safari park reachable from the coast is accessible from Mombasa. Here’s what’s on offer, how long it takes to get there, and what’s realistically achievable.

Tsavo West Safari from the Coast

Kenya's largest park. Wilder. More spectacular.

Tsavo West is located on the opposite side of the Nairobi-Mombasa highway from Tsavo East. It is greener, more hilly, and includes Mzima Springs, where you can observe hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing chamber—a unique experience in Kenya. Tsavo West is also home to black rhinos, though spotting them requires patience. The birdlife here is exceptional. We recommend combining Tsavo East and West for anyone staying three or more days in the savanna.

Maasai Mara Safari from the Coast

Kenya's safari destination, above all others.

The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most famous safari destination. The annual Great Migration, when over a million wildebeest cross the Mara River between July and October, is one of the most spectacular natural spectacles on the planet. From the coast, the best way to visit the Mara is on an aerial safari or a multi-day road trip. It’s not a day trip. But for guests who want to fully experience a Kenyan safari and have the time to spare, we’ll organise everything just right. We won’t sell you a one-night package and call it a Mara safari.

Amboseli Safari from the Coast

Africa's greatest elephant spectacle.

Amboseli is a full day’s drive from the coast about five hours from Mombasa but it’s worth every kilometer. The park lies at the foot of Kilimanjaro, and on clear mornings, the mountain rising behind a herd of elephants offers one of the most iconic views of African wildlife. The elephant population in Amboseli is one of the most studied in the world. The herds are numerous and unafraid of vehicles. This is the ideal park for those seeking an authentic, unhurried safari with spectacular scenery.

Shimba Hills Coast Safari

Kenya’s most underrated safari destination.

Most visitors staying at Diani Beach are unaware that Shimba Hills National Reserve is just a 30-minute drive away. It is one of Kenya’s most accessible safari destinations, yet also one of the most overlooked. Shimba Hills is the only place in Kenya where you can see the black antelope, a rare and striking animal with long, curved horns. The reserve is also home to elephants, buffalo and a wide variety of birds. The wooded landscape creates a striking contrast with the open savannah parks. If you’re staying in Diani, this should be your first safari.

Tsavo East Safari from the Coast

The largest park in Kenya. Two and a half hours from your hotel.

Tsavo East is Kenya’s largest national park and one of the largest in the world. It’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Mombasa, without any flights or overnight stops in Nairobi. The park is famous for its red elephants, whose color comes from the distinctive red laterite soil. You’ll also find lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos on the Galana River, and huge herds of other wildlife. The landscape is arid, open, and spectacular—unlike anything you’ll see in the highland parks. This is our most popular destination for one-day and two-day safaris with an overnight stay from Mombasa, Malindi, Watamu, and Diani.

Safari from Mombasa: Frequently Asked Questions

What time do the safaris depart?

Tsavo East day trips: between 5:30 and 6:00am.

Shimba Hills: at 6:30am.

Amboseli overnight safaris: at 5:00am.

We’ll confirm the exact pick-up time once your booking is confirmed, based on your hotel’s location.

How long are the drives?

Shimba Hills: 45 to 60 minutes
Tsavo East: 2 to 2.5 hours
Tsavo West: 2.5 to 3 hours
Amboseli: 4.5 to 5 hours
Maasai Mara: 7 to 8 hours by road / 1 hour by air

Every trip runs in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. We bring water, snacks, and a first aid kit on every drive.

What safari can I do from Mombasa in a single day?

There are two good options.

Tsavo East, 2.5 hours from the city, Kenya’s largest national park, red elephants, open savannah. Departure at 6:00am, return between 7:00 and 8:00pm.

Shimba Hills, 1 hour from the city, the only place in Kenya to see the sable antelope. Departure at 6:30am, return at 1:00pm (half day) or 5:00pm (full day).

For most first-time visitors, Tsavo East offers the fullest safari experience. For families or guests short on time, Shimba Hills is the more practical choice.

Is there a safari park near Mombasa?

Yes, there are two. Shimba Hills is about 50 km from the city center, roughly an hour including the Likoni ferry. Tsavo East is 120 km away, about 2.5 hours, and it’s the nearest national park.

Do you offer pick-up from north coast hotels?

Yes. We cover every hotel area on the north coast: Nyali, Bamburi, Shanzu, Mtwapa and beyond. For north coast guests, Tsavo East via Sala Gate is often the best route.

Can I book on short notice?

Yes, for day trips and overnight safaris, we can often confirm a booking within 24 to 48 hours of travel, depending on availability. During peak season (July to October), we recommend booking further ahead.

Do you handle the Likoni ferry for south coast safaris?

Yes. For safaris departing from Mombasa Island toward Shimba Hills or south coast properties, we plan the departure time around the ferry crossing. Morning crossings before 7:00am are usually quick and lightly congested. We factor that into your pick-up time, so you arrive at the park right on schedule.

Ready to set off?

Whether you have half a day or a whole week to spare, there’s a safari to suit your time, your group and your budget, departing from your accommodation in Mombasa.

Get in touch via WhatsApp or the enquiry form: let us know your hotel, the dates, the number of people and the kind of experience you’re looking for. We’ll get back to you with a detailed itinerary, fair prices and everything organised, from pick-up to drop-off.