Tsavo National Parks

Kenya's largest group of national parks, with red-dust elephant herds, the hippos of Mzima Springs and volcanic lava landscapes — a safari stop between Nairobi and Mombasa.

The Tsavo National Parks lie in southeastern Kenya, split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West by the Nairobi–Mombasa A109 highway and the Standard Gauge Railway. Covering about 22,000 sq km in total, they form Kenya's largest protected area. Tsavo East is flat and known for its red-dust elephant herds, Lugard Falls, Mudanda Rock and Aruba Dam, with wildlife that's easy to spot; Tsavo West is full of volcanoes and lava landscapes, centred on Mzima Springs, the Shetani Lava Flow, Chaimu Crater and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, and its scenery is more varied. In the dry seasons of Jun–Oct and Jan–Feb, animals gather near water sources, making these the best times for a safari; during the long rains of Apr–May some dirt roads become muddy, and in the short rains of Nov–Dec the bush turns green. Getting there: take the SGR train from Nairobi or Mombasa to Voi or Mtito Andei station and arrange a transfer with your lodge or safari operator, or hire a car with driver from Mombasa or Diani Beach for a two- to three-hour drive. Inside the parks you must use an enclosed or pop-top safari vehicle, getting out is prohibited (except at designated spots), and driving after sunset is not allowed. Allow 2–4 days: one day in Tsavo East and one or two in Tsavo West, plus an optional stay at the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary for a night game drive. Park fees are paid through the KWS online platform and change every year, so check before you go; the parks are hot, so protect yourself from the sun, stay hydrated and take malaria precautions.

Top sights

• Tsavo East National Park – One of Kenya’s largest national parks. Herds of red elephants and prides of lions on flat red-earth grasslands are its signature images.
• Tsavo West National Park – A hilly park of volcanic cones, black lava flows and clear springs. Its landscape is more varied than that of the flat Tsavo East.
• Mzima Springs – Clear pools where groundwater from the Chyulu Hills wells up. From a semi-submerged underwater observation chamber, you can watch hippos an…
• Lugard Falls – A rapids-filled rock channel carved by the Galana River through striped bedrock. Crocodiles often bask on the banks of the crocodile point…
• Mudanda Rock – A giant slab of rock about 1.6 km long. From its top you can look down on herds of elephants drinking from the pools below.
• Aruba Dam – A man-made reservoir on the Voi River. In the dry season it draws elephant herds, buffalo and large numbers of waterbirds, making it a clas…
• Kanderi Swamp – A permanent wetland close to Voi Gate, frequented by elephants, buffalo and lions. It's the first stop after entering the park.
• Yatta Plateau – One of the longest lava flows in the world, stretching about 290 km. It forms a long flat-topped ridge along the north bank of the Galana R…
• Shetani Lava Flow – A black lava field formed by an eruption about 200 years ago. Shetani is Swahili for 'devil', and visitors can walk out onto the lava.
• Chaimu Crater – A young scoria cone in western Tsavo. A path leads up to the rim, where you can look out over the lava fields and grassland.
• Roaring Rocks – A rocky highland viewpoint in western Tsavo, named for the whistling wind and the raptors circling overhead. It overlooks the plains.
• Poacher's Lookout – A viewing point on a hill in northwest Tsavo, offering 360-degree views over the grassland, the Chyulu Hills and Kilimanjaro.
• Kilaguni Lodge Waterhole – The oldest lodge in western Tsavo, with a terrace overlooking a waterhole. You can sit with a cup of tea and watch elephants and buffalo co…
• Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary – An electric-fenced black rhino sanctuary in western Tsavo. With luck, you may see black rhinos at the observation waterhole.
• Tsavo River Railway Bridge – The site of the 1898 'Tsavo man-eaters' incident, at the spot where the Uganda Railway crosses the Tsavo River.
• Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary – A private wildlife sanctuary in southwestern Tsavo, known for its stilted lodge over a waterhole and for night game drives.
• Taita Hills – A lush green highland rising from the hot Tsavo plains. Its cloud forests are home to endemic birds, and terraced villages dot the slopes.
• Lake Jipe – A reed-fringed lake straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border, backed by Mount Kilimanjaro. Good for birdwatching and canoeing.

Where to eat

• Voi Safari Lodge Restaurant – Open-plan restaurant on a hilltop lodge inside Tsavo East, where you can eat a buffet while watching elephants at two f…
• Voi Wildlife Lodge Tembo Restaurant – Lodge restaurant just outside the Tsavo East boundary, serving international and vegetarian buffets under a thatched ro…

Itineraries

• Amboseli, Tsavo & Diani Beach – A southern safari route combined with a Madaraka Express train ride to the coast, connecting savannah and beach without…