Package Overview

From Shanzu Beach to the African Bush; Safaris Designed Around You

Picture this. The Indian Ocean turns gold outside your Shanzu hotel window. An hour later, you’re deep in the African bush, watching a herd of dust-red elephants move silently across the savannah.

That’s not a dream. That’s a well-planned safari from Shanzu.

Shanzu sits on Kenya’s North Coast, just minutes from Mombasa. Because of this, it’s one of the most convenient beach destinations for combining a sun-and-sand holiday with a real African safari. Tsavo East National Park lies roughly 100–130km away. So with an early start, you’re in the wilderness before most people have finished breakfast.

At Steve & Richard Safaris, we specialise in exactly this. We turn Shanzu beach stays into unforgettable bush adventures, right from your hotel door.

Why Shanzu Is the Perfect Base for a Kenya Safari

Most travellers don’t realise how close they already are to extraordinary wildlife. Here’s why Shanzu works so well as a safari base.

Hotel pickups included. We collect you directly from your Shanzu, Bamburi, or North Coast hotel. No taxis. No confusion. Just step outside and we handle the rest.

Closest park: Tsavo East. Kenya’s largest park is your nearest safari destination. As a result, you spend more time watching wildlife and less time travelling. Giant elephant herds, lions, leopards, and hippos are all within easy reach.

The beach and safari combination. Very few places in Africa offer this. World-class wildlife in the morning, white sand under your feet by evening. Whether you’re a honeymooner, a family, a couple, or a solo traveller, this combination is genuinely hard to beat.

Road and SGR options. Most guests travel in a comfortable 4×4 from Shanzu. Alternatively, you can board the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Miritini station to Voi. Either way, the journey is smooth and well managed.

Private and shared safaris. Want the bush entirely to yourselves? We offer fully private safaris with your own guide and itinerary. Travelling on a budget? Our small-group shared packages deliver the same quality at a friendlier price point.

Safari Packages from Shanzu

Safari Packages at a Glance

All packages include hotel pickup from Shanzu and North Coast hotels. Contact us for current pricing.

1-Day Tsavo East Safari

The coastal classic.

We collect you from your Shanzu hotel before dawn. From there, it’s a scenic two-hour drive to Tsavo East National Park. Once inside, the world changes completely.

Dust-red elephants move in family groups. Lions rest under flat-topped acacia trees. Hornbills and kingfishers call from every direction. It’s Africa at its most raw and honest.

You’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, plus lunch at a lodge inside the park. By early evening, you’re back on the beach. It’s a full day — but travellers consistently call it the highlight of their entire trip.

Best for: Couples, solo travellers, families with teenagers, short-stay visitors. Transport: Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.

2-Day Tsavo East Safari

One day is wonderful. Two days, however, is truly transformative. With an overnight stay inside the park, you unlock a completely different side of Tsavo.

You’ll experience an African sunrise over the open savannah. Evening game drives reveal predators at their most active. Additionally, you’ll visit Mudanda Rock, where elephants gather in their hundreds at a natural waterhole below.

There’s also simply time to breathe. To sit still. To let the wilderness come to you.

Best for: Couples seeking a romantic bush escape, families wanting a fuller experience. Transport: Private 4×4 or shared safari minibus.

3-Day Tsavo East & Taita Hills

Wildlife meets misty highland escarpment.

This itinerary combines two very different Kenyan landscapes. First, Tsavo East’s vast red plains. Then, the lush green drama of the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

Because of this contrast, wildlife sightings increase significantly. Lions, leopards, and rare bird species thrive across both ecosystems. Nights are spent at well-positioned lodges where animals wander freely around the property.

Best for: Wildlife photographers, nature lovers, couples wanting a luxury mini-expedition. Transport: Private 4×4 safari vehicle.

4-Day Tsavo East, Tsavo West & Amboseli

Kenya’s iconic southern safari circuit.

This is Kenya in full cinematic detail. Over four days, you’ll move through three of the country’s greatest parks.

Start with the red wilderness of Tsavo East. Then cross into Tsavo West, where hippos swim in the crystal-clear water of Mzima Springs. Finally, arrive at Amboseli, where elephants walk against the backdrop of a snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

Everything you imagined Kenya would be. And then some.

Best for: First-time safari travellers, serious wildlife enthusiasts, anyone who wants the complete experience. Transport: Private 4×4 land cruiser with experienced guide.

Masai Mara Fly-In Safari from the Coast

No long road journeys. Just the Mara.

The Masai Mara is Africa’s greatest wildlife stage. However, the overland drive from the coast is long. That’s why our fly-in safari exists.

A short flight from Moi International Airport puts you in the Mara by mid-morning. From there, private conservancies offer exclusive game drives, walking safaris, and night drives. No crowds. No rush.

Best for: Luxury travellers, honeymooners, anyone with limited time who refuses to compromise. Transport: Scheduled or charter flight from Mombasa.

Parks’ Diections from Shanzu

Wildlife You Can Expect to See

Tsavo East alone holds more wildlife than most people see in a lifetime of nature documentaries. So here’s a taste of what’s waiting.

The red elephants of Tsavo are named for the iron-rich soil that stains their skin. They roam in some of the largest herds anywhere in Africa. Watching hundreds of them move together across open ground is genuinely humbling.

Beyond elephants, southern Kenya’s parks are home to lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles. Rhinos, while rarer, are possible in Tsavo West. Meanwhile, Amboseli delivers some of the most photogenic elephant viewing on the continent.

Birdwatchers will also find plenty to celebrate. The Tsavo ecosystem alone hosts over 600 species. As for the Big Five, it’s possible. But travellers who come for the full experience, rather than a checklist, always leave most satisfied.

How Safaris from Shanzu Work

Step 1: Early hotel pickup. We collect you between 5:00am and 6:00am, depending on your package. Vehicles are spacious 4x4s with pop-up roofs for open-air game viewing.

Step 2: Scenic transfer to the park. The drive from Shanzu to Tsavo East’s Bachuma Gate takes approximately two hours. It’s a smooth, comfortable journey through the Kenyan coastal hinterland.

Step 3: Full game drives inside the park. Your guide leads every drive with deep local knowledge of animal movements and terrain. Morning and afternoon sessions are timed for peak wildlife activity.

Step 4: Accommodation (multi-day packages). Overnight safaris include stays at carefully chosen lodges and tented camps. These aren’t just places to sleep, they put you right inside the ecosystem.

Step 5: Return to your beach hotel. Day trips return you to Shanzu by early evening. Multi-day packages wrap up with a comfortable transfer, timed perfectly to catch the sunset over the ocean.

Best Parks to Visit from Shanzu

Tsavo East National Park — The closest and most accessible major park from Shanzu. Famous for red elephants, the Yatta Plateau, the Galana River, and Mudanda Rock. Vast open terrain makes it ideal for wildlife photography and long-range game viewing.

Tsavo West National Park — Dramatically different in landscape. Volcanic cones, dense bush, and the legendary Mzima Springs set it apart. Best combined with Tsavo East on a multi-day itinerary for maximum contrast and wildlife variety.

Amboseli National Park — Africa’s most iconic elephant destination. The Kilimanjaro views from the park floor are among the most photographed on the continent. Excellent for cheetah sightings too.

Shimba Hills National Reserve — Just 1.5 hours from Shanzu. Home to the rare Sable antelope and lush coastal forest. A great option when you want wildlife without committing to a full-day journey.

Masai Mara National Reserve — The crown jewel of Kenyan safari. Best reached by fly-in from Mombasa. Unrivalled for Big Five density, predator action, and the world-famous Great Migration.

Why Travellers Choose Steve & Richard Safaris

We’re a locally-rooted safari company. We know the parks, the roads, the lodges, and,  most importantly, how to make a safari from Shanzu feel genuinely personal.

• Hotel pickups from Shanzu and all North Coast hotels included
• Experienced, licensed guides with deep park knowledge
• Fully private safaris tailored around your group
• Flexible itineraries built around your schedule, not ours
• Honest, transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Small group sizes for a more personal experience
• SGR transfer options for those who prefer the train
• Custom planning for families, honeymooners, and multi-destination trips

When you travel with us, you’re not a booking number. You’re a guest.

Ready to Trade the Beach for the Bush?

The elephants aren’t waiting. The lions are already out there.

Whether you want a single wild day from Shanzu or a full multi-park expedition, we’ll build the perfect itinerary around you,  your budget, your schedule, your style of travel.

WhatsApp us today for a custom safari quote ✉️ Request your personalised itinerary, no obligation. Book early to secure your preferred lodge and travel dates

Steve & Richard Safaris, Kenya’s North Coast Safari Specialists. Hotel pickup from Shanzu included.