Explore Tsavo National Parks, Kenya

Tsavo National Parks – Facts.

Tsavo East National Park is the larger of the two Tsavo Parks. It lies to the east of Nairobi – Mombasa road equidistance between the two cities.

The Joint mass of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks forms one of the largest National Parks in the world. The parks cover a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area.

The Yatta plateau found in the Park is the longest lava flow in the world – at 300 kilometers in length. This plateau attracts migrating birds from all over the world.

Tsavo East also has a very large herd of wild animals. These include elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, kudu, gerenuk, and Hirola. It also has a prolific birdlife of over 500 species.

Things to do in Tsavo East National Park

Besides wildlife, there are physical highlights in the park which include;

  • Aruba dam is located on the North bank of the seasoned Voi river, which is visited by thousands of animals and is a great game viewing destination.
  • There is also the Mudanda Rock, rock towers above a natural dam, which acts as a draw to thousands of elephants.
  • Lugards Falls – named after captain Lugard. The falls feature bizarrely eroded rocks through which the waters of the Galana River plunge into foaming rapids and crocodile-infested pools.

Contacts and General information for Tsavo East National Park

  • Tel: +254 (20) 2405957 / 30049
  • Hotline: +254 43 2030084, +254 723 332 090
  • Fax: +254 43 2030034
  • Size: 13, 747 Square Kilometers

Tsavo National Park Gates, Transport, and Entry Points

Road: Mtito Andei gate on the Main Nairobi – Mombasa road and Sala Gate from Malindi on the Western Road (C103)

Air: Voi, Aruba, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Sangayaya, Mopeo, Bachuma and Cottars.

Railway: Use SGR Inter-County Train to Voi or Mtito Andei.

Tsavo East National Park Lodges and Accommodation

There are Lodges and Campsites inside the Park.

You can inquire more information from the KWS offices or your tour guide about accommodation in and around the park.

Tsavo West National Park facts: About Tsavo West

Located halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa, this savanna ecosystem comprises open grasslands, scrublands, acacia woodlands, belts of vegetation, and rocky ridges.

It is rich in physical features such as recent volcanoes, lava flow, and caves with potential for geographical, hiking, and Mzima Springs.

Attractions in Tsavo West National Park

The animal found here includes; Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dogs, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-Dik, Lesser Kudu, and Nocturnal Porcupine.

There is a prolific birdlife of over 600 bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.

How to Get There

By Road

You can access Tsavo West National Park from the following places:

  • Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi.
  • Tsavo Gate near Manyani.
  • Via Taveta – Voi Road through Maktu, Ziwani, and Zipe Gate.

By Air

You can access Tsavo West National Park by air from Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau, Finch Hattons, Ziwani, and Maktau airstrips.

Tsavo West National Park accommodation

There are many various lodges, campsites, and guesthouses.

Three public campsites: Kamboyo campsite (8 Kilometers from Mtito Andei Gate), Chyulu Campsite (1km from Chyulu Gate), and Lake Jipe Campsite ( on the lake shore) all offering water and latrines only.

A Wide Variety of “special campsites” exists and Must be Booked in advance through the Warden or KWS HQ.

Useful Resources

For Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park entrance fee and Map locations, check out the KWS Website.

Fun Fact

You can visit both Tsavo East and Tsavo West on one occasion. To enjoy more, you may have to spare a few days.

Featured Photo by Kenya Wildlife Service.