- Size
- 22,000+ km²
- Sections
- Tsavo East & Tsavo West
- From Mombasa
- 3–4 hrs
- From Nairobi
- 5–6 hrs
- Known for
- Red elephants, Mzima Springs
- Bird species
- 500+
About Tsavo
Tsavo is Kenya's largest protected area, divided by the Nairobi–Mombasa road into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Its elephants are famous for their rusty-red colour, from dust-bathing in the volcanic soil.
Tsavo West is rugged and volcanic, with the crystal-clear Mzima Springs, where an underwater hide lets you watch hippos and fish, and the Shetani lava flows. Tsavo East is open plains, the Galana River and Lugard Falls.
Things to do
Game drives
The Big Five, plus fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk and lesser kudu.
Mzima Springs
Watch hippos and fish through an underwater viewing chamber.
Shetani lava flows
Walk across ancient black lava and explore lava caves.
Cultural visits
Meet Maasai and Taita communities.
Getting there
3–4 hours from Mombasa or 5–6 hours from Nairobi by road, or by scheduled and charter flights to the park's airstrips. It is a natural add-on to Kenya and Tanzania combination safaris.
When to go
Dry season, June to October. November to May is green and excellent for birds.
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