6-Day Tsavo West, Taita Hills & Diani Safari & Beach Holiday

Tsavo West, Taita Hills & Diani

Rates From $1,545

BudgetFamilyMulti-DestinationPhotographicPrivateSafari & Beach4–6 DaysKenyaAmboseli & ChyuluTsavo & Taita
Explore Kenya Safaris

About This Tour

Kenya’s southern landscapes offer a balanced transition from the rugged volcanic plains of the bush to the white sands of the Indian Ocean. This journey moves from the freshwater springs of Tsavo to the elevated views of Taita Hills before settling along the Diani coastline. It is a route designed for those who appreciate changing scenery and a steady, unhurried pace.

The adventure begins with road travel through diverse ecosystems where wildlife sightings are integrated into the natural flow of the day. As the journey progresses, the intensity of the safari shifts into a restorative coastal slowdown. The rhythm allows for active mornings in the wild followed by quiet afternoons under the palms.

Travelers can expect a reliable blend of guided movement and personal rest. The structure ensures that the transitions between destinations feel manageable and calm. This trip provides a comprehensive look at Kenya’s natural variety in a single, well-paced week.

Our Community Impact

Johnbow supports local economies by partnering with lodges that provide direct employment to residents in the Tsavo and Diani regions. These partnerships ensure that tourism revenue contributes to community health and education initiatives. We prioritize service providers who respect traditional land rights and foster local craftsmanship.

Our Sustainability Promise

We prioritize low-impact travel by coordinating efficient road transfers to reduce the carbon footprint of the journey. Our chosen lodges, such as those in the Taita Hills Sanctuary, follow strict environmental guidelines to protect fragile water sources and migratory corridors. We promote a “leave no trace” policy during all game drives and beach activities.

Why This Safari Works

The itinerary follows a logical geographic line that minimizes backtrack travel and maximizes diverse landscapes. Starting with the bush and ending at the beach allows travelers to process the excitement of wildlife viewing before fully relaxing by the ocean. The inclusion of Taita Hills provides a unique elevated perspective that differs from the flat plains of Tsavo. Road segments are kept to a manageable length to prevent travel fatigue. This structure works best for families and first-time visitors seeking a high-value, multifaceted Kenya experience.

Your Trip at a Glance

A snapshot of your entire experience, from key highlights to where you'll stay and what to expect each day.

  • 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Beach Activities
  • Children Allowed
  • Couple
  • Cultural Visits
  • Family
  • Family Safari
  • Friends
  • Full Board
  • Photographic Safari
  • Private Safari
  • Solo Traveller

Trip Summary

  • Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo West
  • Day 2: Tsavo West to Taita Hills
  • Day 3: Taita Hills to Diani Beach
  • Day 4: Diani Beach relaxation
  • Day 5: Diani Beach relaxation
  • Day 6: Diani to Nairobi

Destinations

  • Tsavo West National Park
  • Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Diani Beach

Where You Stay

  • Voyager Ziwani – 1 Night
  • Salt Lick Safari Lodge – 1 Night
  • Swahili Beach – 3 Nights

Safari Highlights

  • Watching hippos from the Voyager Ziwani deck
  • Exploring the volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West
  • Viewing elephants from the stilted Salt Lick towers
  • Night game drives in the Taita Hills Sanctuary
  • Driving through the scenic Shimba Hills descent
  • Morning walks on the white sands of Diani
  • Multi-level pool relaxation at Swahili Beach
  • Coastal sunsets over the Indian Ocean

Featured Destinations

Where You Stay

Route Map

Day-by-Day Itinerary

2-Day Tsavo East Express Safari From Diani, Mombasa, Watamu, or Malindi

Itinerary Highlights

  • Scenic drive from the capital
  • Evening wildlife viewing by the river

Itinerary information

The journey leaves the city behind and moves toward the freshwater springs of Tsavo West. The landscape changes from urban centers to wide-open plains dotted with acacia trees. Arrival at the camp allows for a quiet afternoon observing the river’s inhabitants. The evening brings the first sounds of the wild under a clear sky.

  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Voyager Ziwani

Itinerary Highlights

  • Morning exploration of volcanic terrain

  • Elevated wildlife viewing from stilted lounges

Itinerary information

The morning is spent moving through the rugged beauty of Tsavo before heading to the Taita Hills Sanctuary. The destination is known for its unique lodge built on stilts over a popular watering hole. Guests can watch wildlife congregate below from the comfort of the elevated walkways. The pace is steady and allows for constant observation.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Salt Lick Safari Lodge

Itinerary Highlights

  • Early morning game drive

  • Transition to the turquoise coast

Itinerary information

A final morning drive in the sanctuary offers a chance to see predators before the heat of the day. The journey then turns toward the coast, descending through lush hills to the palm-fringed beaches of Diani. The arrival at the beach resort marks a shift in rhythm to pure relaxation. The air becomes warmer and carries the scent of the sea.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Swahili Beach

Itinerary Highlights

  • Beach mornings

  • Coastal breeze and ocean views

Itinerary information

The day is entirely free for guests to set their own pace by the Indian Ocean. Options include swimming in the tiered pools or walking along the soft white sand. The environment is calm and designed for restorative rest after the safari days. The sounds of the bush are replaced by the rhythmic movement of the waves.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Swahili Beach

Itinerary Highlights

  • Optional water activities

  • Final evening by the shore

Itinerary information

Another day at the coast provides time for optional excursions like snorkeling or visiting local markets. Many choose to simply stay within the resort’s gardens and enjoy the tropical atmosphere. It is a time to reflect on the journey from the volcanic west to the blue east. The evening offers a final coastal dinner under the stars.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Swahili Beach

Itinerary Highlights

  • Final coastal breakfast

  • Return road transfer to the city

Itinerary information

The morning allows for a final swim or a slow breakfast before the return journey begins. The drive back toward Nairobi offers a last look at the changing Kenyan landscapes. Arrival in the city concludes the circuit in the late afternoon. The transition back to urban life is managed with a direct hotel or airport drop-off.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: N/A

JohnBow Safari Expert Insight

❝ We love how this route combines the unique stilted architecture of Salt Lick with the tiered luxury of Swahili Beach for a perfectly balanced family escape. ❞

~JohnBow Safari Expert Team

Rates

Competitive rates for unforgettable experiences

SeasonDate Range2 Guests4 Guests6 Guests
Peak SeasonJuly – Oct, 2026$2,060$1,670$1,545

Important Rate Notes

  • Rates are subject to room availability at the time of booking.
  • Child policies vary by lodge and will be confirmed upon inquiry.
  • Similar standard lodges may be offered if the listed ones are fully booked.
  • Internal flight options are available as an upgrade to replace the return drive.

What's Included

  • All accommodation as listed in the itinerary
  • Transport in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
  • Game drives
  • All meals as specified for each lodge
  • All national park and sanctuary entry fees
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Bottled drinking water during game drives

Optional Addons

  • Night game drives in Taita Hills
  • Snorkeling and PADI diving in Diani
  • Guided forest walks in Shimba Hills
  • Fly-back option from Diani to Nairobi

What's Not Included

  • International flight tickets
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Entry visas for Kenya
  • Laundry and personal expenses
  • Optional activities in Diani

Plan your journey

Practical reading to help you compare routes, timing and costs.

Ready to start planning your Safari? Tell us your travel dates, who you are traveling with, and what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the lodge is built on stilts directly over a watering hole, allowing for 24-hour wildlife viewing from the balconies and lounges.
The drive from Taita Hills to Diani is scenic and takes a few hours, moving from the dry inland to the tropical coastline.
Night drives are an optional extra specifically available in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

See What Our Travellers Have To Say

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Dorcas Munga profile picture
Dorcas Munga
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Great planning and communication. My trips have been smooth. All expectations met 💯
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Mike Bourassa profile picture
Mike Bourassa
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Our driver, Patrick, made the experience even more special with his outgoing personality and his knowledge of each park. He always made certain that he positioned his vehicle just right so we could get a perfect photo. He shared a lot about African culture an answered our questions. His keen eye spotted a cheetah from a long distance and we experienced the animal stalk and catch his prey (only to have a hyena steal it from him at the end). The accommodations were excellent at Massai Mara but were a bit too primitive at Amboseli. The large openings between the sleeping area and the bathroom brought way too many bugs into the tent. Wonderful memories of the entire experience!! We hope to come back next year and Patrick will be our choice of guide.
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Kate Mandere
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Wonderful team, very warm, helpful and well coordinated!
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Emmy Chepkoech
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I recently booked my 1st trip with Johnbow Tours and Travel and it was an outstanding experience from the start to finish. The team was professional, well-organised, helpful and incredibly friendly. Transfer to my hotel room and back was handled smoothly allowing us to relax and enjoy our journey. The fact that they allow lipa mdogo mdogo was not overwhelming paying for the package...I can't wait to book again with Johnbow 😊
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Gloria Kikete
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Jonbow has offers seamless travel service with a personal touch.
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Lolo Chgn profile picture
Lolo Chgn
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Safaris de 5 jours depart Nairobi et arrivée à Diani beach Visite des parcs d’amboseli, tsavo ouest et est , t.hills Découverte d une faune magnifique Notre chauffeur Chombo a tout fait pour rechercher les animaux et il était à notre écoute ! Dépaysement total garanti Les hôtels étaient tout confort avec des conditions d’alimentation en eau et électricité précaire ! Nous remercions vraiment Morris et Chombo pour ce magnifique Safari
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Irene Nduku
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Excellent services, the team was friendly, efficient and went above and beyond to meet my need.Their service was prompt and effective. I highly recommend
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Cheyenne van den B profile picture
Cheyenne van den B
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We had a two day tour with Johnbow Tours & Travel to Tsavo West. The park itself is not that good to be honest, but we stayed at Salt Lick lodge and that was amazing. The animals are coming so close to the lodge, it is really beautiful to see. The driver Pius was also really nice and he had a lot of knowledge about the animals. I have been in contact with Morris and that was also really pleasant because of the arrangement we had.
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virginia mumo
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As a team of 12pax..we had an exceptional good experience with the Johnbow team. Well informed and humble team who contributed a lot to an enjoyable trip and creating memories.
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Stay06810033473
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Customer Servive Customer service was great!Communication was timely and effective especially as there were some flight changes.Either way the bookings were perfect, customer service was exceptional and we even got a treat for our anniversary, at no extra costElijah and Sam were very helpful.
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Annette M
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Exceptional Experience with Johnbow Tours and Travel! I had an unforgettable trip to Bali and Thailand, the guides were amazing, the places beautiful and the itinerary on point. Bali has very many temples and beautiful rice terraces, the swings and sunset views unforgettable. thank you Johnbow for the tour.
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KSP
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Memorable Safari with a Great Team and Guide We had a really good experience with Johnbow Tours during our Kenya safari. Morris, our main point of contact, was communicative and professional throughout. He stayed in touch via WhatsApp both before and during the trip, answering all our questions quickly and clearly, which gave us a lot of confidence going in.The pricing felt fair for what we received, and the Land Cruiser was comfortable, especially considering the long drives. They also provided snacks at the start of the trip upon request, which was thoughtful.Our guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable. He had a sharp eye for spotting animals and shared interesting facts about everything we saw. We had plenty of game drives and were lucky to spot a wide variety of wildlife.The only small issue was around water. We had been told water would be included throughout, but at a couple of the lodges, we were charged for drinking water, tea, or coffee during meals. It wasn’t a big deal, but having clarity on that from the start would’ve been helpful.Overall, it was a smooth and enjoyable safari. The team was dependable, the schedule was well planned, and we felt taken care of from start to finish. I’d absolutely recommend Johnbow to anyone planning a private safari in Kenya.
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Alain V
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A great experience, a must for everyone who reads this Jonbow, our driver who has the same name as the agency, took very good care of us. He was on time for the appointment. Once on the road he was super attentive. In the park he was always the first to spot the game. He gave us very good explanations about all the animals we saw. No effort was too much to make us spot all the game. Super friendly and helpful guy. He operates from Mombasa/Diani Beach. He made sure that our safari will remain unforgettable.
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winnie a
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Dubai tour 2024 was a birthday gift to my son who turned lucky number seven. I writing to thank you for coordinating our trip to UAE, dubai. Everything was perfect; the flight, the hotel was clean and all staff were friendly and professional. Special thanks to Mary Gathua as she was the one who coordinated everything for us.The tour guides were excellent! They made things as easy for us as possible. I really appreciate these and that indicate the quality services that they provide.We had dubai town tour and our guide, Mr. Albert did exceptionally well. We learnt about the origin of UAE and the important features in dubai. We had dhow cruise with dinner, and the dessert safari with dinner.Desert safari was the best of the trip (the driver , Mr . Zaheer was very professional, and the overall experience was thrilling and amazing). The desert safari remains in my priority to do list when I visit dubai next.I would certainly recommend Johnbow Tours and travel to anyone wanting to visit Dubai. Thank you again and look forward to plan our next vacation with you.
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maryanne o
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Awesome Best tour company ..travelled to Dubai in Emirates .Booked the best hotel in Dubai..Johnbow staff are friendly and accommodatve I rate them10/10 they're affordable too .
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M A
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Superb service Happy New Year! Eunice managed our travel plans superbly, and I’m grateful. Our stay at Pride Inn was delightful; the staff’s service, food, attention, and entertainment made our holiday special and memorable. Thanks again for your excellent services.
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gladys n
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Efficient Eunice of John Bow ,was pretty helpful from getting us a hotel to SGR tickets, and transfers to the hotel.She also called to ensure we arrived safely.I loved the seamless process and especially because we chat on whatsapp mostly. Johnbow tours keep their word! I would choose them again.
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Christine N
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Awesome experience This travel company was very efficient. I engaged them on whatsapp in the morning and by afternoon they had finalised everything including the sgr tickets. Their staff Eunice was readily available even at night because we did night travel. And early morning at 4 am, she called to find out if the driver had picked us. I would recommend them anytime
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Sabina M
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It was a time of relaxation and fun. The trip was well planned from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. We had so much fun and took so many photos. We saw lions, cheetahs, elephants and other animals. If we could do it again, we would still chose Johnbow tours and travel.