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Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Parks, Kenya

Spanning over 22,000 square kilometers, Tsavo East and Tsavo West together form the largest protected wildlife area in Kenya. These two parks offer a wild and remote safari experience filled with dramatic landscapes, huge elephant herds, and an unmatched sense of space and solitude.

While Tsavo East is known for its open savannahs and iconic red-dust elephants, Tsavo West features volcanic hills, lava flows, lush springs, and rhino sanctuaries — making the two parks ideal for travelers looking for both wildlife and geological wonder.

Location

  • Southeast Kenya

  • Tsavo East lies closer to Mombasa

  • Tsavo West lies closer to Amboseli and Mount Kilimanjaro

  • Access by road or air from Nairobi, Mombasa, or Amboseli

Best Time to Visit

  • June – October: Dry season, best for wildlife spotting

  • January – March: Warm and green, clear views of Kilimanjaro from West

  • Avoid April–May due to seasonal rains

Wildlife Highlights

  • Large elephant populations, often covered in red dust

  • Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals

  • Giraffes, zebras, buffalo, lesser kudu, and oryx

  • Black rhinos in Tsavo West’s Ngulia Sanctuary

  • Nile crocodiles and hippos at Mzima Springs and Galana River

  • 600+ bird species, especially in Tsavo West

Key Differences Between the Parks

Tsavo East

  • Vast, flat, open landscapes

  • Huge herds of red elephants

  • Galana River, Aruba Dam, and Lugard Falls

  • Better for traditional big game drives

Tsavo West

  • More varied scenery: hills, lava flows, springs

  • Mzima Springs (clear underwater hippo viewing)

  • Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary

  • Great photography spots and terrain variation

Experiences in Tsavo

  • Game drives in both East and West

  • Visit Mzima Springs for hippo and croc viewing

  • Rhino tracking in Ngulia Sanctuary

  • Sundowners on volcanic hills and lava plateaus

  • Birding expeditions (especially in West)

Perfect For

  • Off-the-beaten-path safari enthusiasts

  • Elephant and landscape lovers

  • Travelers connecting safari and beach holidays

  • Couples, groups, or adventurous self-drivers