Tsavo East and Tsavo West together form one of the largest protected areas in Africa, covering more than 20,000 square kilometres in south-eastern Kenya. The landscape is vast and wild, and the park is famous for elephants whose skin is stained red by the local soil.
What makes Tsavo special
- Red elephants: large herds coated in iron-rich dust, especially photogenic in the dry season.
- Tsavo East: open plains, the Galana River, Lugard Falls and large predators such as lion.
- Tsavo West: more varied scenery with Mzima Springs, lava flows and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
- Space and quiet: Tsavo is less crowded than the Masai Mara.
Best time to visit Tsavo
June to October and January to February are the driest periods and make wildlife easier to find. Green-season visits are quieter and the landscape is lush.
Combine Tsavo with the coast
Tsavo sits between Nairobi and Mombasa, so it is a natural stop on a safari and beach holiday. See Diani Beach, Watamu and Mombasa, or ask us to plan a Tsavo itinerary.