Affordable Surprise Tsavo SGR Safari | 3 Days 2 Nights
Couple Packages
Surprises
Sentrim Tsavo or similar
They think you are going to the beach. The train has other plans.
Our Affordable Surprise Tsavo SGR Safari lets you put your partner on a train they think is bound for the coast, then step off together at Voi for two nights in Tsavo East.
Here is the trick. The Madaraka Express from Nairobi runs to Mombasa, and almost everyone who boards it assumes they are heading for the beach. Let your partner believe that. Tell them to pack for heat and bring their ID, and say nothing else. Somewhere past Mtito Andei, when the train slows for Voi, you stand up and take your bags down.
On the platform your driver guide is waiting beside a private safari van and hands your partner a pair of binoculars. That is the reveal. From then on it is a trip for two: two nights at Sentrim Tsavo, a tented camp inside Tsavo East where elephants drink at a waterhole in view of the dining area, with a pool, two bars and a bonfire every night.
Tsavo East is home to four of the Big Five. Elephants and buffalo turn up most days, lions often and leopards only on lucky drives, and there are no rhinos in this part of the park. If you are starting from Mombasa, the van collects you both at your hotel on a day out you have kept vague, and the binoculars come out at Voi Gate instead.
Details
Summary information about this package
Sentrim Tsavo or similar
Tsavo
Couples
Included
Rail
For Adults only (18+)
Full-board
Included
All year round
Costs
Kenyan Citizen
Ksh. 106000 per person sharing
Non-resident
$ 1325 per person sharing
Transport
Options: Rail
Duration and Timing
No
3 Days 2 Nights
About Package
More information about this package
Straight into the park: Sentrim Tsavo is inside Tsavo East, about 40 minutes along bush roads from Voi Gate. The surprise keeps going after the station, since the first drive runs all the way to camp.
Canvas with a view: The camp has 21 safari tents and 5 stone walled rooms, each with a king size bed and mosquito net, a hot shower and a tea and coffee tray. Every room opens onto a large balcony that looks out over the bush.
Elephants over dinner: The dining area faces a waterhole where elephants come to drink, often once it is dark. On the first evening, a welcome drink is waiting for you both at your table there.
Pool, bars and fire: Kiu Bar sits beside the outdoor pool for the heat of the day, and Chui Bar is indoors for the evening. After dinner, the bonfire is where the reveal gets retold.
The train is the disguise: Nairobi couples ride the 8:00am Madaraka Express in First Class, the same train that carries beachgoers to Mombasa, and step off at Voi at 12:02pm. Mombasa couples are collected at their hotel by the private van that stays with them for all three days.
The binocular reveal: Your guide meets you both on the Voi platform, or at Voi Gate if you come from Mombasa, and hands your partner a pair of binoculars. No speeches, no banners, just the moment they realise where they are.
Package Itinerary
The package itinerary is as follows
Affordable Surprise Tsavo SGR Safari Itinerary with Baecation Adventures from Nairobi or Mombasa
Day 1
Morning, The Beach Bluff: You both board the 8:00am Madaraka Express in First Class at Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau, your partner quietly expecting a week of sea and sand. From Mombasa, you set off in the van early in the morning on a day out you have kept deliberately vague.
Afternoon, Getting Off at Voi: At 12:02pm the train stops at Voi and you stand up. On the platform your guide hands your partner a pair of binoculars, and the secret is out. You drive through Voi Gate together and game drive to Sentrim Tsavo for a late lunch.
Evening, A Toast by the Waterhole: An evening drive as the heat fades, then back to camp before dark. A welcome drink is waiting at your table beside the waterhole, and the night ends at the bonfire.
Day 2
Morning, Dawn on the Plains: An early game drive while the animals are most active, then breakfast back at camp.
Afternoon, Pool and Plains: A slow middle of the day at the pool and Kiu Bar, then an afternoon drive wherever the wildlife is moving.
Evening, Dinner for Two: Dinner beside the waterhole, a drink at Chui Bar and one more round of the story by the fire.
Day 3
Morning, A Last Look: A final early drive through Tsavo East, then breakfast and check out by 10:00am.
Afternoon, Heading Back to Voi: You game drive back towards Voi with a packed lunch. Mombasa couples continue down the highway in the van and are home on the coast by evening.
Evening, The Train Home: Nairobi couples board the 4:38pm Madaraka Express at Voi in First Class and arrive at Nairobi Terminus at 8:18pm, heading the right way this time.
Add Ons
Romantic Touches:
(Extras to make the surprise land even harder)
Extra Night with a Full Day of Game Drives: KES 69,300 per couple ($860)
Couples Massage at the Sentrim Tsavo Spa: from KES 10,000 per person ($100)
Private Sundowner Stop in Your Van: from KES 12,000 per couple ($120)
Tsavo West Day Trip to Mzima Springs: from KES 15,000 per couple ($150)
Premium Class Train Upgrade: KES 10,700 per person return ($107)
Transfer to Nairobi Terminus from Your Home: from KES 3,500 per couple ($35)
Upgrade Your Stay:
(Priced per couple for the full stay, on top of the package price)
Manyatta Camp, tent with its own private plunge pool, full board: KES 17,200 per couple ($100)
+ Inclusions
First Class Madaraka Express tickets, Nairobi Terminus to Voi and back (Nairobi departures)
Hotel pickup and return by private safari van (Mombasa departures)
Private safari van with a pop up roof and a dedicated driver guide for all three days
The binocular reveal on the Voi platform or at Voi Gate, with binoculars on loan for the trip
Welcome drink for two at the waterhole table on the first evening
Two nights at Sentrim Tsavo or similar in a standard tent on full board
Packed lunch on Day 3
Tsavo East National Park entry fees for three days
Park vehicle entry fees
Game drives on all three days
Discreet planning with you before travel, so the secret holds
- Exclusions
Transfers to and from Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau
Drinks at the camp beyond the welcome drink
Spa treatments
Tips for your driver guide and camp staff
Travel insurance
Park fee supplement for Kenya residents who are not East African citizens: KES 1,500 per person
Peak season supplement, 1 July to 31 October and 20 December to 2 January: KES 8,600 per person ($80)
High season supplement, 2 January to 31 March: KES 2,900 per person ($50)
Premium Class train upgrade
Any item not listed under Inclusions
What To Carry
Both train tickets, printed and kept by you, since the destination is printed on them
Your partner's original ID or passport, which they must carry themselves to board, so ask them to bring it without saying why
A soft bag each that you can lift yourselves, since the train allows 30kg each and you carry it through security
A quiet packing brief for your partner: light clothes, a warm layer and good shoes, which suits a beach story just fine
Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen in cream or lotion form, since aerosol cans are not allowed on the train
Insect repellent in cream or roll on form
Neutral coloured clothes for game drives, packed by you if your partner might ask questions
Swimwear for the pool, which also keeps the beach story believable
A camera ready for the platform reveal
Power bank and chargers
Any personal medication, plus malaria prevention as advised by your doctor
Book This Package
Reach out:
For enquiries or bookings, write to [email protected]. We’ll revert within 20 minutes during business hours.