A Madaraka Express safari means taking Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway train from Nairobi to Voi or Mtito Andei, then meeting a safari vehicle for game drives in Tsavo East or Tsavo West. The morning train takes about three to four hours, Economy costs from KSh 740 one way, and you can be watching elephants by mid-afternoon.
Most visitors drive to Tsavo on the Mombasa highway, which is slow, busy with lorries and tiring. The train is calmer and cheaper, but the timetable, stations, ticket booking and onward transfers can be confusing from abroad. This guide, written by our Nairobi team, covers which train to take, current fares, booking, which park to choose and a simple three-day plan.
Photo by Stanley G. Mathu on Unsplash
Quick Facts
- Train: The Madaraka Express, the passenger service on Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
- Safari stations: Mtito Andei for Tsavo West, Voi for Tsavo East
- Best train: Morning Inter-County service, about 08:00 from Nairobi Terminus in Syokimau
- Journey time: About 3 hours to Mtito Andei and 4 hours to Voi
- Fares: Nairobi to Voi KSh 1,050 Economy, KSh 3,200 First Class (checked October 2026)
- Park entry: US$80 per non-resident adult per day for each Tsavo park (from 1 October 2025)
- Booking: Online up to 60 days ahead, or at station ticket counters
What is a Madaraka Express safari?
A Madaraka Express safari is a Kenya safari where the train replaces the road transfer between Nairobi (or Mombasa) and Tsavo. You ride the SGR to the station nearest your park, a driver-guide collects you on the platform, and the safari begins straight away.
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The railway runs between Nairobi Terminus at Syokimau and Mombasa Terminus at Miritini, and for a long stretch it passes close to the Tsavo parks. From the window you often see dry bush, baobabs and the Chyulu and Taita hills, and passengers sometimes spot elephants, giraffes or zebras, although sightings from the train are never guaranteed.
Why take the train instead of driving?
Driving from Nairobi to Voi usually takes five to six hours on the A109 highway, depending on traffic and roadworks. The Madaraka Express safari route cuts that to about four hours in a comfortable seat with toilets on board and room to stretch. It is also kinder on the budget than a private road transfer, and less tiring for children.
The trade-off is flexibility. You must fit the train timetable, and you still need a vehicle at the other end. If you would rather combine Tsavo with other parks such as Amboseli in one loop, a road safari may suit better; our Kenya safari cost guide compares both styles.
Which Madaraka Express train should you take?
Take the morning Inter-County train. It is the only Madaraka Express service that stops at both Mtito Andei and Voi in daylight, so you arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. The Express trains skip Mtito Andei, and from Nairobi they reach Voi after the park gates close.
| Train | Leaves | Stops for Tsavo | Good for a safari? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-County (morning) | About 08:00 from Nairobi and from Mombasa | Mtito Andei (about 10:50) and Voi (about 12:00) from Nairobi | Yes: the best choice, with time for an afternoon game drive |
| Afternoon Express | 15:00 from Nairobi and from Mombasa | Voi only (about 18:48 from Nairobi, 16:38 from Mombasa) | Only from Mombasa; from Nairobi you arrive after dark |
| Night Express | 22:00 from Nairobi and from Mombasa | Voi only, in the small hours | No: you arrive in the middle of the night |
The times above come from the Kenya Railways fares and timetable page and a fare and schedule summary updated in September 2026. Kenya Railways adjusts schedules from time to time, especially around holidays, so always check the latest times when you book your Madaraka Express safari.
Getting to Nairobi Terminus
Nairobi Terminus is in Syokimau, close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, not in the city centre. Allow 45 minutes or more by road from central Nairobi in morning traffic. Kenya Railways has also run an early commuter train from the old Nairobi Central station to the terminus for a small fare, but most of our guests prefer a private transfer. Arriving from abroad? Make sure your Kenya eTA is approved before you fly.
How much does a Madaraka Express safari cost?
A Madaraka Express safari costs less than most people expect for the transport: KSh 1,050 one way from Nairobi to Voi in Economy and KSh 3,200 in First Class. The larger costs are park fees, a safari vehicle and your lodge, which together make up most of the budget.
Madaraka Express safari fares by class
| Route (one way) | Economy | First Class | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi – Mtito Andei | KSh 740 | KSh 2,240 | KSh 5,980 |
| Nairobi – Voi | KSh 1,050 | KSh 3,200 | KSh 8,540 |
| Voi – Mombasa | KSh 750 | KSh 2,280 | KSh 6,080 |
| Nairobi – Mombasa | KSh 1,500 | KSh 4,500 | KSh 12,000 |
Fares were checked in October 2026 against a fare summary updated in September 2026, which matched press reports from March 2026. Children aged 3 to 11 pay half fare and children under 3 travel free, according to Kenya Railways. Economy has busy open seating; First Class has wider seats and fewer passengers; Premium is the most comfortable class. Prices change, so confirm before you pay.
Tsavo park entry fees
The Kenya Wildlife Service charges conservation fees per person per day. The rates below took effect on 1 October 2025 and were checked in October 2026. Tsavo East and Tsavo West are separate parks, so a Madaraka Express safari that visits both means paying each park’s fee.
| Visitor type | Tsavo East or West entry, per person per day |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult | US$80 |
| Citizens of other African countries | US$40 |
| Kenya residents | KSh 1,350 |
| East African citizens | KSh 1,000 |
On top of the train and park fees, budget for a 4×4 safari vehicle with a driver-guide, fuel and the guide’s park entry, and your lodge or tented camp. These vary widely by season, group size and comfort level, which is why we quote each Madaraka Express safari individually rather than publishing one fixed price.
How do you book Madaraka Express tickets?
You book Madaraka Express tickets on the Madaraka Express online booking portal or at a station ticket counter, up to 60 days before travel. Online payment for a Madaraka Express safari ticket is mainly by M-Pesa, which visitors without a Kenyan phone line may find awkward, so many travellers ask their safari operator to book for them.
What you need on travel day
- Your passport (or Kenyan ID), matching the name on the ticket. It is checked at the station.
- Arrival at least an hour before departure: there are security checks at the station entrance and again before the platform, with luggage scanned.
- Bags within the Kenya Railways limit of 30 kg per passenger, no more than 1.6 metres in height, width and depth.
- Snacks and water for the ride, a light jumper for the air conditioning and binoculars for the window.
Pack as you would for any Kenya safari: soft bags, neutral colours, sun protection and a camera with a zoom lens. Our Kenya safari packing list has the full checklist.
Tsavo East or Tsavo West: which station should you get off at?
On a Madaraka Express safari, get off at Voi for Tsavo East and at Mtito Andei for Tsavo West. Tsavo East, about 13,747 km², is flatter and more open, so first-time visitors usually see more animals. Tsavo West, about 9,065 km², is hillier, greener and more scenic, with springs and lava flows.
Photo by Murad Swaleh on Unsplash
| Park | Get off at | What it is best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tsavo East | Voi (Voi Gate is just outside town) | Big open plains, red-dust elephant herds, Aruba Dam, Mudanda Rock, Lugard Falls; easy flat game viewing |
| Tsavo West | Mtito Andei (Mtito Andei Gate is beside the town) | Volcanic hills and lava flows, Mzima Springs, the Ngulia rhino sanctuary; more scenic, thicker bush |
For a short Madaraka Express safari of two or three days, Tsavo East is the easier choice: Voi is the last stop on the morning train, the park gate is close, and the open country is good for spotting elephants, lions and big herds. Read more in our guide to Tsavo East National Park attractions.
Tsavo West rewards travellers with a little more time who like landscapes as much as wildlife. Its highlights are covered in our Tsavo West National Park guide. With four or more days you can enter at Mtito Andei, cross Tsavo West and Tsavo East by road, and catch the train onwards from Voi.
A 3-day Madaraka Express safari itinerary
This three-day Madaraka Express safari itinerary from Nairobi to Tsavo East uses the morning train both ways and gives you four game drives. It works just as well in reverse from Mombasa or Diani, or as a stop between Nairobi and the coast.
Photo by Giusi Borrasi on Unsplash
Day 1: Nairobi to Voi by train
Transfer to Nairobi Terminus early and board the morning Inter-County train. Arrive at Voi around midday, meet your driver-guide on the platform and drive the short distance to Voi Gate. Check in at your lodge for lunch, the first meal of your Madaraka Express safari, then head out on an afternoon game drive along the Voi River circuit until the park closes around dusk.
Day 2: a full day in Tsavo East
The full day is the heart of any Madaraka Express safari to Tsavo East, so set off early with a packed lunch. Popular stops include Aruba Dam, where animals gather to drink in the dry months, the long granite ridge of Mudanda Rock, and the rapids at Lugard Falls on the Galana River. The midday heat is strong, so most guides rest in the shade and drive again late in the afternoon.
Day 3: morning drive and train onwards
Go out at sunrise, when predators are most active, then return for breakfast and transfer to Voi station. From Voi you can take the morning train back to Nairobi or the afternoon Express to Mombasa for a beach stay. Confirm the day’s times before you leave the lodge.
Heading to the coast? A Madaraka Express safari pairs perfectly with a few days on the Indian Ocean; see our bush and beach safaris for ideas. If you are already staying in Diani, our 2-day Tsavo West safari from Diani is a ready-made option by road.
Turn your train ride into a Tsavo safari
Browse our Kenya safaris and we will match your train times with a private 4×4, an expert driver-guide and the right lodge in Tsavo East or Tsavo West.
When is the best time for a Madaraka Express safari?
The best time for a Madaraka Express safari is the dry season, from June to October and again from January to February. Vegetation thins out, animals gather around rivers and waterholes, and the dirt roads in Tsavo are at their best for game drives.
The long rains usually fall from March to May and the short rains in November and December. Tsavo turns green and quiet, lodge rates are often lower and the birdlife is excellent, but some tracks get muddy and animals spread out. The train itself runs all year, so a green-season trip is perfectly possible if you accept a little more searching.
Avoiding the busiest trains
Trains fill up quickly around Christmas, New Year, Easter and Kenyan school holidays, when many families travel to the coast. For those dates, book your seats as soon as the 60-day window opens. Planning a short break instead? Our day trips from Nairobi guide lists easy options closer to the city.
Insider Tips
- Book seats together: On a Madaraka Express safari with family or friends, book everyone in one transaction so you are seated close together
- Choose First Class for a safari: The fare difference is small compared with the trip, and the quieter carriage is easier with luggage
- Book the pickup first: Your driver-guide must be at the station when the train arrives; there is no public transport into the parks
- Carry some cash: Small Kenya shilling notes help for snacks and tips; KWS park fees are paid electronically
- Avoid the night train: Arriving at Voi in the small hours wastes a night and a game drive
- Allow for delays: Leave a buffer before onward flights, especially on the return journey
Let us plan your safari
Tell us your dates, budget and dream sightings, and our Nairobi team will send you a free tailor-made itinerary and quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Madaraka Express from Nairobi to Voi?
The Madaraka Express takes about four hours from Nairobi Terminus to Voi on the morning Inter-County train, which leaves at around 08:00 and reaches Voi at about midday. Mtito Andei, for Tsavo West, comes about three hours after departure. The faster Express trains do not stop at Mtito Andei, so check the stops before you book.
How much is the Madaraka Express to Voi?
A one-way Madaraka Express ticket from Nairobi to Voi costs KSh 1,050 in Economy, KSh 3,200 in First Class and KSh 8,540 in Premium (checked October 2026). Children aged 3 to 11 pay half fare and under-3s travel free. Fares change, so confirm the price on the Kenya Railways booking portal before paying.
Can tourists book Madaraka Express tickets online?
Yes. Tourists can book Madaraka Express tickets on the Kenya Railways online booking portal up to 60 days ahead, paying by M-Pesa, or buy them at station ticket counters. Each passenger needs a passport or ID that matches the booking. If you book a Madaraka Express safari with an operator, they can buy the tickets and meet you at the station.
Is there transport from Voi station into Tsavo East?
No public transport links Voi station to the park. Voi Gate of Tsavo East sits just outside Voi town, a short drive away, but you need a safari vehicle and driver-guide waiting at the station. On a Madaraka Express safari this pickup is the key thing to arrange in advance, together with your lodge and park fees.
Is a Madaraka Express safari worth it?
A Madaraka Express safari is worth it if you want a cheaper, calmer alternative to a long road transfer or a flight to Tsavo. The train swaps roughly six hours on the busy Mombasa highway for a four-hour seated ride with scenery. It suits travellers heading on to the coast, families and anyone who dislikes long drives.
Final Thoughts
A Madaraka Express safari is one of the simplest ways to reach Tsavo: take the morning Inter-County train, get off at Voi for Tsavo East or Mtito Andei for Tsavo West, and have a vehicle waiting. Check fares and times before you pay, and book early for holiday dates.
If you would like us to handle the tickets, the pickup and the lodge in one plan, send us your dates and we will build the trip around the train.
Not sure whether to stop at Voi or Mtito Andei?
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