Tsavo National Park at a glance
- Where
- South-east Kenya, between Nairobi and Mombasa
- Size
- Tsavo East about 13,750 km², Tsavo West about 9,065 km²
- Protected
- National park since 1948, managed by Kenya Wildlife Service
- Known for
- Red elephants, Mzima Springs, lava flows and the man-eaters of Tsavo story
- Best months
- June to October, and January to February
- From Nairobi
- 4 to 5 hours by road, or by train to Voi
- Ideal stay
- 2 nights
- Pairs with
- Amboseli, Diani Beach
Tsavo East or Tsavo West?
The main Nairobi to Mombasa road and railway split the park in two. Our routes usually visit both, but they feel different.
Tsavo West
Hills, lava and springs. Watch hippos and fish through the underwater window at Mzima Springs, walk on the black Shetani lava flow and look for black rhino around the Ngulia sanctuary.
Tsavo East
Flat, dry bush with long views. See the Yatta Plateau, one of the world’s longest lava flows, Lugard Falls on the Galana River and herds at the Aruba Dam.
The man-eaters of Tsavo
In 1898, two maneless lions attacked workers building the railway bridge over the Tsavo River. The story made Tsavo famous; today’s lions are shy of people, and many males still have small manes.
Wildlife in Tsavo National Park
- ElephantAlmost certain. Tsavo holds one of Kenya’s largest elephant populations.
- Buffalo, giraffe, zebraAlmost certain.
- LionLikely on a 2-night stay.
- Lesser kudu and gerenukLikely in the dry bush.
- Black rhinoRare, inside the Ngulia sanctuary.
Ratings are our guides’ own experience, not a guarantee. Tsavo’s thick bush means animals take more finding than in the Mara.
Best time to visit Tsavo National Park
- JanDry
- FebDry
- MarGood
- AprRains
- MayRains
- JunDry
- JulDry
- AugDry
- SepDry
- OctDry
- NovShowers
- DecGood
The dry months bring animals to the springs, rivers and dams. In the rains the bush thickens and animals scatter, but the landscapes turn green and the park is almost empty.
A 2-night Tsavo route
- Day 1
Amboseli to Tsavo West
About 3 hours via the Chyulu Hills, then an afternoon at Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava flow.
- Day 2
Tsavo West to Tsavo East
An early game drive, then cross the main road into Tsavo East for the Aruba Dam and the red elephants.
- Day 3
Tsavo East to the coast
A morning drive past Lugard Falls, then 3 to 4 hours to Diani Beach or Mombasa.
Why Tsavo needs a good guide
Tsavo is enormous and its bush is thick in places. Animals are spread out, so local knowledge of water points and recent sightings makes the difference between a quiet drive and a great one.
Tsavo safaris with See Safari Adventure
Tell us your dates and we will plan a safari that ends on the coast.
Sources
- Kenya Wildlife Service: Tsavo East National Park. Park facts.
- Kenya Wildlife Service: Tsavo West National Park. Park facts.
- Field Museum: The Lions of Tsavo. The 1898 man-eaters.
Sighting chances and travel times come from our own guides. Last reviewed November 2026.
