Tsavo East National Park

Introducing

Tsavo East National Park

Situated in Kenya's southeast, Tsavo is near the Tanzanian border and is close to the Kenyan coast. Named after the river that flows through the parks, Tsavo is split into two national parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and is divided by the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. Tsavo East is one of the oldest, and is the largest national park in Kenya, and together with Tsavo West covers just over 20,000 square kilometres, or 4% of Kenya. Spanning 13,747 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, it is also one of the most extensive protected areas in Kenya and has more biodiversity than any other park globally, as it marks the meeting point between northern and southern wildlife. It is 9 times bigger than the Maasai Mara and is well known for its mane-less lions, big herds of red dust-covered elephants, and cheetah.

Tsavo East National Park is perfectly situated halfway between Nairobi and the Kenyan coastal resorts. This means Tsavo is perfect if you want to combine a Kenyan safari with a beach holiday. Diani Beach, located just 30km south of Mombasa and approximately a four-hour drive from Tsavo East, is a stunning tropical paradise and has been awarded the best beach destination in Africa for five years running.

Experience the Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is among the best places in Kenya to see rhinos, and there’s a good chance that you’ll spot lions and an extensive portfolio of other safari species. Whether you visit the park as a precursor to a longer safari, a final goodbye to Kenya, or the main event, Nairobi NP deserves as much time as you can give it. Nairobi NP is a sampler for Kenya’s safari landscapes, but with city buildings on the horizon (which can make for some unusual wildlife pictures). You enter the park along a track that descends through dry woodland before the panorama of savannah grasslands opens up before you. Elsewhere in the park, there are waterholes, riverine woodlands and rolling grasslands. In the park’s south, the Athi River Track shadows the river.

Tsavo East is home to four of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo). Although the park officially has rhino, the species hasn’t been seen here in years. The park is a stronghold for elephants, and you’ll commonly find them with a reddish appearance from the distinctive red soil of the area. Tsavo is also famous for its maneless lions. The park is home to numerous animals, including The Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The rivers around the park are also home to most of this wildlife, and crocodiles eagerly hide within the dark depths, waiting to pounce on anything brave enough to approach the shores. Game drives are best when done in the early morning or evening before it gets too hot and will often include a stop at the Luggard Falls, a series of white rapids on the Galana River and the Yatta Plateau, for a picnic lunch.

Locate the Tsavo East National Park

Discover: Tsavo East National Park

The park is a stronghold for elephants, and you’ll commonly find them with a reddish appearance from the distinctive red soil of the area. Tsavo is also famous for its maneless lions. Tsavo East has a good range of unusual antelope. This is one of the few places to see the fringed-eared oryx. The lesser kudu is very shy, but can sometimes be seen darting off into the bushes. The long-necked gerenuk can be found standing on its hind-legs to reach the sparse foliage of trees and bushes. With some luck, you might spot the critically endangered hirola or Hunter's hartebeest. Spanning 13,747 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, Tsavo East National Park is also one of the most extensive protected areas in Kenya and has more biodiversity than any other park globally, as it marks the meeting point between northern and southern wildlife.

Getting There

By Air: Flying Safaris are accessed through the following airstrips: Voi, Aruba, Cottars, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Mopeo, Bachuma and Sangayaya. The flight time from Nairobi is approximately 1 hour. From Mombasa, the flight time is about 30 minutes to Voi, and then you can continue your journey on a 3-hour road transfer to Tsavo East National Park.

By Road: The drive from Nairobi to the park's gate, Mtito Andei, is approximately 233km South of Nairobi and 250km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi-Mombasa road. The drive is about 4-6 hours on Mombasa Road.

By Train: You can travel to Tsavo East by train using the Madaraka Express from Nairobi or Mombasa, a unique experience with scenic views. The train from Nairobi takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the train from Mombasa is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in Voi, a destination transfer will be provided.

Best time to visit

The dry months of June to October and January to mid-March are the best times to visit Tsavo East National Park. Mid-March to May and November are rainy months in Tsavo West National Park. You can still visit the park during these times.

Wildlife Experience

Tsavo East National Park has an abundance of wildlife. During your adventure, you will see and take pictures of your favourite animals as they roam freely in their natural environment. Some of the animals you will expect to see are the “Big Five” (Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, Lions and Leopards). Other include southeast African cheetahs, giraffes, plain and stripped zebras, wild dogs, gazelles, kudus, oryx, eland, crocodiles, hippos, bushbuck, bush baby, caracal, African civet, Dik-Dik, bat-eared-fox, gerenuk, spring hare, mongoose, vervet monkey, syke’s monkey, yellow baboons, aardwolf, African wild cat, Kirk's blue duiker, common eland, klipspringer, coke’s hartebeest, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side, stripped jackal, lesser kudu, impala, crested porcupine, giant rat, elephant shrew, northern greater galago, yellow-spotted rock hyrax among many others.

Birdlife

If you enjoy birdwatching, there is plenty to be excited for, as Tsavo East National Parks attract over 500 species of birds. Birding in the park is a thrilling safari activity. Many tourists appreciate that about 400 species constitute the resident birds, while the other 100 are migratory birds. They include the Martial Eagle, African Finfoot, Parrot, Secretary bird, Golden Pitpit, Somali Ostrich, Golden Breasted Starling, Little Egret, Hamerkop, Masai Ostrich, Black-Faced Sangrouse, Love Birds, Vultures and many others.

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