The classic Mombasa day trip is the Tsavo National Parks — Tsavo East and Tsavo West together make up the largest protected area in Kenya, about two hours inland from the coast. Tsavo East is flatter, drier, and famous for its huge herds of red-earth elephants, dust-caked by rolling in the characteristic red soil; Tsavo West is more dramatic, with Mzima Springs (where hippos and crocodiles can be watched from an underwater viewing gallery) and good lodges. Most of the big coastal hotels run day safaris into Tsavo East; longer trips with overnight stays are worth the extra day. Closer to the city, a dhow cruise down Tudor Creek — sometimes combined with a seafood dinner — is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and Haller Park in Bamburi, a rehabilitated limestone quarry that now functions as a small nature reserve with giraffes, hippos and antelope, is good with children.