Discover the Wild of Tsavo
Tsavo is one of the largest and oldest national parks in the world, a vast sweep of wilderness shared between Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Together they cover more than 20,000 square kilometres of savannah, lava fields, riverine forests and dramatic rock outcrops.
Tsavo is renowned for its 'red elephants,' whose hides take on a distinctive red hue as they dust-bathe in the region's iron-rich volcanic soil. The parks harbour the full Big Five, along with vast herds of buffalo, and Tsavo West is home to the enchanting Mzima Springs, where crystal-clear waters allow you to view hippos and fish through glassy springs.
Basic Information
From the legendary man-eating lions of its past to the rugged beauty of its landscapes today, Tsavo offers raw, untamed Africa far from the crowds.
- Destination
- Country
- Best Time to Visit
- Park Area
- Main Wildlife
- Parks
- Nearest City
- Tsavo East & West
- Kenya
- Jun-Oct & Jan-Feb
- Over 20,000 sq km
- Red elephants & Big Five
- East & West Tsavo
- Nairobi / Mombasa
Nowhere else do red elephants dust-bathe in iron-rich volcanic soil while hippos glide beneath the crystal springs of Mzima - Tsavo is Kenya's wild, untamed heartland.
The Gorge Tours Safari Guide
The best time to visit Tsavo is during the dry season from June to October and January to February, when wildlife concentrates around the Galana and Athi rivers and game viewing across the vast open plains is at its finest.
From the world's longest lava flow at the Yatta Plateau and the sculpted rocks of Lugard Falls to vast elephant herds and hidden springs, Tsavo delivers authentic, unspoiled safari adventure.
Sample 3-Day Tsavo Itinerary
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive to Tsavo, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge or camp. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through the open plains in search of red elephants, lions and buffalo, before dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Spend a full day on game drives exploring the park, including a visit to Mzima Springs in Tsavo West to view hippos and crocodiles through crystal-clear water. Enjoy a packed lunch in the bush, followed by an evening game drive before returning for dinner.
Take an early morning game drive for the best wildlife sightings, then return for breakfast and check out. Continue on to Nairobi or on to the Kenyan coast for a beach extension.
This is a sample itinerary and can be fully customized to suit your dates, budget and interests.
Highlights
- Seek out the Big Five across the immense savannahs
- View hippos at the crystal-clear Mzima Springs
- Marvel at the world's longest lava flow at Yatta Plateau
- Watch wildlife along the Galana River
- Full-day & night game drives on red-dirt tracks
- Climb Mudanda Rock for panoramic plains views
- Photograph the famous red elephants of Tsavo
