Safaris From Mombasa - Compare 138 Tours

4.6/5 – 1,695 Kenya Safari Reviews

Going on a safari from Mombasa is one of the best things you can do in Kenya. The city is really well placed for visiting the parks in Kenya’s southeast, and you’ll be able to combine two of the best things about Kenya – its Indian Ocean coastline and its wildlife parks – in one fantastic trip. Tsavo East is the most obvious park to visit, but if you decide to fly you open up a whole world of possibilities. There are decisions to be made – where to go, which animals you want to see, and how long you have to spend, for example. But these are all pleasurable choices when you look at the various options, and planning is all part of the fun.

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5 Questions About Kenya Safaris From Mombasa

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Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Kenya’ and ‘East Africa’. He writes about Kenya and the wider region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’, part of which is set in Kenya.
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Which parks are best to visit from Mombasa?

“The most obvious park to visit on a Kenya safari from Mombasa is Tsavo East National Park. It’s the closest of the major national parks to Mombasa, and it also has some exceptional wildlife. Depending on how much time you have, there are other fantastic parks and reserves in Kenya’s southeast that you could combine with Tsavo East. These might include Tsavo West National Park, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and even Amboseli National Park. If you’ll be flying from Mombasa, and flying between the various parks, then your options increase considerably, and could even include Masai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park. Again, it all depends on how much time you have and (because flying is expensive) how much you’re willing to pay.”

Should I go for a road or fly-in safari?

“There are two main factors to consider when trying to choose between a road or a fly-in safari: time and money. If you fly, you will be able to see a lot more of the country, and also visit more parks, than you would if you were driving (or being driven) around. If you fly, you could bring into your safari almost any park in southern or central Kenya, although you will probably need to fly via Nairobi to reach some of the more far-flung parks. Flying also has the advantage of turning each transfer into a scenic flight, with spectacular views along the way. Remember, however, that flying can be expensive, and the more flights you take, the less likely it is that you will be able to have a cheap or affordable safari. As well as being less expensive, driving is good because it gets you up close to local Kenyan life more than will ever be possible in a plane. Every time you stop for a meal or fuel or even just to rest, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and engage with locals.”

Which animals can I see on a Kenya safari from Mombasa?

“The animals you’re able to see on your safari will depend on how much time you have and which parks you visit. If you have lots of days and you fly between the parks, you’ll be able to see most of the animals that Kenya has to offer. The most popular safari tours and packages out of Mombasa visit Tsavo East National Park. It’s a wonderful park to see big cats, especially cheetah out on the plains in the east of the park and lions just about everywhere, although sightings are more occasional than common. Tsavo’s male lions are famous for having barely any (or at most very scruffy) manes. Elephants are another Tsavo East highlight, and you’ll often see them bathed in the red Tsavo dust. Other park specialties include some unusual antelope species, such as Hunter’s hartebeest (hirola) and gerenuk, and the blue-legged Somali ostrich. If you have time to extend your safari to Tsavo West, then you increase your chances of seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino). Tsavo West is good for rhino, buffalo and (sometimes) leopard.”

How many days do I need?

“If you’re just visiting Tsavo East from Mombasa, then 3 days is an excellent amount of time. This will allow you to have at least 1 full day in the park and you will get to see many of the best wildlife areas. If you fly to Tsavo East early on day 1 and fly out late on day 3, then you can really make the most of your 3 days. If you decide to extend your safari to Tsavo West, it’s worth adding a couple of days, more if you’d like to explore the park in full. Adding Tsavo West, Taita Hills and Amboseli to your Tsavo East safari would take an extra 5 to 7 days if you’re traveling by road. And, of course, if you fly around Kenya and see more parks, then you could keep extending your trip for as much time as you can spare.”

Can I combine a beach holiday with a safari from Mombasa?

“Yes, you can absolutely combine the two from Mombasa. In fact, these are some of the most popular tours in this part of Kenya, and lots of tour companies offer itineraries like this. If the main focus of your trip is the beach holiday, then it’s possible to just do a 1-day safari from Mombasa to Tsavo East National Park. If you have more time, you can, of course, extend the safari part of your holiday to more days. If you do this, you could spend a few nights in Tsavo East, or even visit some of the other parks in Kenya’s southeast, such as Tsavo West or Amboseli, or Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Anything is possible, and tour operators have the expertise and experience to make it work. You just have to decide how many days you wish to spend at the beach, and how many on safari.”

Kenya Safari Reviews

4.6/5 1,695 Reviews

Expert

Nana Luckham –

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.

From Game-Packed Hot Spots to Little-Known Wilderness

5/5

Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first-class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...

Full Review

Expert

Brian Jackman –

Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.

Africa for Beginners

5/5

Kenya is easy to get to from most parts of the world. It’s just eight hours away by air from London, for instance – fly overnight and you can be in the bush in good time for lunch. Even before you arrive in Nairobi you can see giraffes...

Full Review

Greta –

Reviewed: Mar 29, 2026

Big Five and Beyond

5/5

Kenya offers a powerful and authentic wildlife encounter that blends adventure, education, and natural beauty. It’s not just about seeing animals, it’s about witnessing nature in its purest form. For anyone with an interest in wildlife...

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Daniele de Antonis –

Reviewed: Mar 27, 2026

Good Safari experience

5/5

I did a safari in Kenya and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Everything was perfectly organized, with great attention to detail and constant support throughout the trip. The safari was private, and having him as our guide...

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Alexander Pohl –

Reviewed: Mar 15, 2026

My 1st Safari in Kenya

5/5

Kenya is a beautiful country for safaris. There are numerous national parks, and I chose the 3-day Maasai Mara tour. We left Nairobi early and went on a few-hour evening safari that same day. The next day, we set out early and were on the...

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Mark Brown –

Reviewed: Mar 13, 2026

Lovely people but we were only there for 1 day and night so difficult to judge.

4/5

In the one day / night we stayed we managed a 4 hour game drive at the Nairobi National Park. Perfect for a 4 hour game drive. Company that organised it were good, good value for money and loved our driver, he was great.

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Safaris From Mombasa - Compare 138 Tours

3-Day Tsavo East and Taita Hills Safari/Salt Lick

4-Day Mombasa or Diani - Tsavo East - Amboseli - Nairobi

3-Day Safari from Mombasa Tsavo East, Saltlick Lodge

3-Day Tsavo Discovery Safari from the Coast

3-Day Tsavo East Safari from Mombasa Coast

3-Day Coastal Circuit - 2026

3-Day Amboseli and Tsavo East Safari from Coast

1-Day Epic Safari Adventure from Mombasa to Tsavo East

4-Day Fly-in from Mombasa (Masai Mara National Reserve)

4-Day Tsavo West, Amboseli & Tsavo East National Parks

4-Day Amboseli & Tsavo West Parks Adventure

3-Day Tsavo East NP and Ziwani/Tsavo West Safari by Jeep

4-Day Luxurious Coastal and Bush Game Viewing Safari

2-Day Tsavo East & Taita Hills Game Sanctuary

4-Day Tsavo East, Amboseli & Taita Hills from Coast

2-Day Shimba Hills Safari

4-Day Tsavo and Amboseli Coast to Coast Private Safari

4-Day Tsavo East, Amboseli & Taita Hills Tour from Coast

3-Day Tsavo East & West National Park from Mombasa/Diani

1-Day Spotting the Big 5 in Tsavo East

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5 Questions About Kenya Safaris From Mombasa

Answered by

Anthony Ham

5 Questions About Kenya Safaris From Mombasa

Which parks are best to visit from Mombasa?

Should I go for a road or fly-in safari?

Which animals can I see on a Kenya safari from Mombasa?

How many days do I need?

Can I combine a beach holiday with a safari from Mombasa?

Kenya Safari Reviews

From Game-Packed Hot Spots to Little-Known Wilderness

Africa for Beginners

Big Five and Beyond

Good Safari experience

My 1st Safari in Kenya

Lovely people but we were only there for 1 day and night so difficult to judge.