Tsavo National Park
Kenya
Tsavo National Park
A Tsavo safari covers Tsavo East and Tsavo West, Kenya’s largest protected area and one of the biggest national parks in the world. Its red volcanic soil famously coats the resident elephants a distinctive rust color, and its varied terrain of savannah, lava flows and natural springs supports an exceptional range of wildlife.
The two halves feel quite different. Tsavo East is drier and more open, prized for its plains game viewing and sheer scale, while Tsavo West is more scenic, with springs, hills and volcanic features such as the Shetani lava flow. Many itineraries combine both, and Tsavo’s size means fewer vehicles per sighting than more concentrated parks, giving a genuine sense of wilderness alongside strong wildlife numbers.
What to Expect
Most visitors spend two to three nights, mixing game drives across the red-earth plains with a stop at Mzima Springs to watch hippo through its underwater viewing chamber, and a look at the sculpted rock of Lugard Falls on the Galana River. Conveniently placed between Nairobi and the coast, Tsavo pairs naturally with a beach stay or with the Maasai Mara and Amboseli for a multi-park Kenya itinerary.
Activities & Wildlife
From red-earth elephants on the open plains to underwater springs and volcanic rock, Tsavo's sheer scale delivers a genuine sense of wilderness.
- Game Drives
- Mzima Springs
- Lava Fields & Shetani Caves
- Lugard Falls
Tsavo’s red volcanic soil coats resident elephants a distinctive rust color, and its vast open plains mean fewer vehicles per sighting than more crowded parks, with elephant, lion and giraffe among the regulars.
Getting to Tsavo National Park
Tsavo is roughly a four to five-hour drive from Nairobi or from Mombasa, and is also reachable by short scenic flight into one of the park's airstrips. Its position roughly halfway between Nairobi and the coast makes it easy to combine with a beach stay rather than backtracking between stops. Most visitors spend two to three nights, splitting time between Tsavo East's open plains and Tsavo West's springs and volcanic scenery.
When to Go to Tsavo
Best Time to Go
Accommodation
Where to Stay at Tsavo
Accommodation
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
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Accommodation
Satao Camp
Tsavo East National Park, Kenya
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Plan a trip to Tsavo National Park
Browse our Kenya safari itineraries or contact us to build a custom trip.
More of Kenya to explore
- Maasai MaraBig cats and the Great Migration river crossings.
- Amboseli National ParkElephant herds beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Lake NakuruRhinos and flamingo shores in the Rift Valley.
