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Kenya safari destination
Tsavo West, lava, springs and wild Africa
Volcanic hills, crystal-clear springs and red elephants in one of Kenya’s wildest parks.
Quick facts
Park at a glance
Location
Taita-Taveta County, Kenya
Park size
About 9,065 sq km
Ideal stay
2 to 3 nights
Best time
June to October
Park overview
Rugged, volcanic and wonderfully wild
Tsavo West is the hillier, greener half of Tsavo, Kenya’s largest protected wilderness. Ancient lava flows, cinder cones and rocky outcrops give it a dramatic feel, and on clear days Kilimanjaro rises on the horizon.
Its best-known sight is Mzima Springs, where water filtered through the Chyulu Hills bubbles up into clear pools full of hippos and fish. The park is also home to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, which protects endangered black rhinos.
- About 240 km from Nairobi on the Mombasa road
- Easy to pair with Amboseli or Tsavo East
- A great stop between Nairobi and the coast
Why go
Six reasons to explore Tsavo West
A wilder, quieter safari with scenery unlike anywhere else in Kenya.
Mzima Springs
Crystal-clear pools where you can watch hippos from an underwater viewing hide.
Volcanic landscapes
Lava flows such as Shetani, cinder cones and craters shape the scenery.
Black rhinos
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protects one of Kenya’s rarest animals.
Red elephants
Elephants dust-bathe in red soil, giving them their famous colour.
Kilimanjaro views
Clear mornings bring views of Africa’s highest peak.
Fewer crowds
A huge park where you can often enjoy sightings all to yourself.
Wildlife
Who you will meet in Tsavo West
From big cats to rare black rhinos, Tsavo West rewards patient explorers.
Elephants
Tsavo’s famous red elephants roam in family herds between the hills and waterholes.
Lions
Known for their thin manes, Tsavo’s lions are often seen resting near water.
Leopards
Rocky outcrops and dense bush make perfect leopard territory.
Black rhinos
Protected in the Ngulia sanctuary, a rare sight for lucky visitors.
Buffalo
Large herds graze the open areas and gather near springs.
Hippos and crocodiles
Mzima Springs gives a rare clear view of both in the water.
When to visit
Tsavo West through the year
Every season has its own rewards. Pick the one that matches what you most want to see.
Peak season
June to October
Long dry season
Thinner bush and animals gathered near water make for the best game viewing.
Great time
January to February
Short dry season
Warm, settled weather and good wildlife sightings between the rains.
Quiet season
March to May
Long rains
Green landscapes, fewer visitors and lower rates at many lodges.
Good value
November to December
Short rains
Fresh scenery, migrant birds and quieter drives before the festive season.
Things to do
More than game drives
Springs, lava and sweeping views to fill the hours between drives.
Game drives
Explore hills, plains and waterholes in search of big game.
Mzima Springs
Walk the nature trail and watch hippos from the underwater hide.
Shetani lava flow
See the black lava field left by a volcanic eruption a few hundred years ago.
Rhino sanctuary
Visit the Ngulia sanctuary in search of the elusive black rhino.
Birdwatching
Hornbills, starlings and raptors make Tsavo West a birder’s delight.
Sundowners
Watch the sun go down over the hills with Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Plan your visit
Getting there and staying over
The practical details, so you can focus on the adventure.
By road
About 240 km from Nairobi, roughly four hours to the Mtito Andei gate, or a shorter drive from Mombasa.
By air
Light-aircraft charters can land at airstrips inside the park when time is short.
Where to stay
Lodges overlooking busy waterholes and tented camps tucked into the bush.
Tsavo West safaris
Trips that include Tsavo West
Combine Tsavo West with Amboseli, Tsavo East or the coast. Every itinerary can be tailored to you.
- Tsavo West, Tsavo East, Amboseli
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Amboseli, Tsavo West, Tsavo East
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Tsavo East, Tsavo West
- 3 Days 2 Nights
Good to know
Tsavo West questions, answered
The things travellers most often ask before visiting. Anything else, our Nairobi team is happy to help.
Tsavo West is hilly and volcanic with springs and dense bush, while Tsavo East is flatter and more open. Many travellers visit both.
They dust-bathe in the park’s red soil, which colours their skin and protects them from sun and insects.
Black rhinos live in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Sightings are rare but possible with patience.
Two or three nights gives you time for Mzima Springs, the lava flows and several game drives.
Amboseli, Tsavo East and the beaches of Diani or Watamu all pair well.
Yes. It sits close to the Nairobi to Mombasa road, which makes it an easy safari to add before a beach stay.
Ready to explore Tsavo West?
Tell us when you would like to travel and we will plan a Tsavo safari around the season, your budget and the experiences you want.
