Red elephants
Tsavo's elephants are famous for their colouring from the red soil.
Kenya · South-eastern Kenya, between Nairobi and Mombasa
Tsavo
Red earth, vast space and springs in the bush.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West together form one of the largest protected areas in Kenya, divided by the Nairobi–Mombasa road. Tsavo East is known for open country and red-dusted elephants; Tsavo West for volcanic hills, lava flows and Mzima Springs.
- Country
- Kenya
- Known for
- Red elephants · Mzima Springs
- From Mombasa
- About 2–3 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
The place
Tsavo, at a glance.
Tsavo is big and wild, with long distances between sightings. That space is part of its character. Elephants here are often coloured red by the dust they throw over themselves.
Tsavo West is more varied, with volcanic cones, the Shetani lava flow and Mzima Springs, where clear spring water rises into pools with hippos and fish. Tsavo East has Aruba dam, the Yatta Plateau and wide plains.
Because it sits between Nairobi and the coast, Tsavo is easy to combine with time in Mombasa or the Kenyan coast.
Together, Tsavo East and Tsavo West cover more than 20,000 square kilometres, one of the largest protected areas in Africa. Tsavo West also has a fenced sanctuary for black rhinos, and Lugard Falls on the Galana River in Tsavo East is a short walk from the track.
Tsavo entered history in 1898, when lions attacked workers building the Uganda Railway; the railway and the Nairobi–Mombasa road still run between the two parks today.
Planning notes
- Official name
- Tsavo East & Tsavo West National Parks
- Region
- South-eastern Kenya, between Nairobi and Mombasa
- Known for
- Red elephants · Mzima Springs
- From Mombasa
- About 2–3 hours by road
- Ideal stay
- 2–3 nights
- Combines well with
- Amboseli, Nairobi
The appeal
Why visit Tsavo?
Mzima Springs
Clear pools fed by springs, with an underwater viewing chamber.
Shetani lava flow
A black lava field in Tsavo West.
Close to the coast
Easy to combine with a stay in Mombasa or on the Kenyan coast.
Wild encounters
Wildlife of Tsavo.
Elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, lesser kudu, gerenuk and hippos at Mzima Springs. Wildlife is free-ranging, so sightings vary from day to day and can never be guaranteed.
Red-dusted elephant family crossing a broad Tsavo East track 
Elephants drinking along a shallow river in dry bush country 
Hippos in the clear spring-fed pools of Mzima Springs 
Kudu among rocks and bush
Travel through the year
When to visit Tsavo.
June to October and January to February are the driest periods, when wildlife gathers near water.
Jan – Feb
Hot and dry; animals gather around water.
Mar – May
Long rains; the bush becomes thick and green.
Jun – Oct
Dry season and generally the best time for game drives.
Nov – Dec
Short rains.
Your way of travelling
Ways to experience Tsavo.
Optional activities are arranged separately and may cost extra.
01
Mzima Springs
Walk to clear spring-fed pools and look into the water from an underwater viewing chamber, often with hippos and fish.
02
Aruba dam and the plains
Game drives in Tsavo East around Aruba dam, where animals come to drink in the dry season.
03
Shetani lava flow
A black lava field in Tsavo West, left by eruptions in the Chyulu Hills area a few centuries ago.
04
Taita Hills sanctuary
A private wildlife sanctuary near Tsavo West, visited on our Tsavo and Salt Lick safari.
The way there
Getting to Tsavo.
From Mombasa
Two to three hours by road to the Tsavo East gates.
From Nairobi
Five hours or more by road along the Mombasa highway; the Madaraka Express train also stops at Voi.
Finding your pace
How long to stay.
2 nights
One night in each of Tsavo East and West.
3 nights
Adds the Taita Hills area or a slower pace in the parks.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Tsavo.
Lodges and camps for this destination are agreed with you after you enquire, based on your dates, budget and preferences.
Trip ideas
Short trip
4 Days Kenya Safari Tour – Tsavo & Salt LickMombasa → Tsavo East → Tsavo West → Taita Hills (Salt Lick) → Mombasa
The long way
9 Days Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo SafariNairobi → Maasai Mara → Lake Naivasha → Amboseli → Tsavo West → Tsavo East → Mombasa or Nairobi
2 safaris
Safaris that include Tsavo.
Group joining4 days · Kenya · Group joining
4 Days Kenya Safari Tour – Tsavo & Salt Lick
Red elephants and springs, from the coast
Wildlife safari · Mid-range
A safari that starts and ends in Mombasa: Tsavo East's red elephants, Tsavo West's Mzima Springs and lava flows, and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary around Salt Lick.
Price on request
Group joining9 days · Kenya · Group joining
9 Days Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo Safari
From the Mara to the coast road
Wildlife safari · Budget
Nine days across southern Kenya: the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate, Amboseli, then Tsavo West and Tsavo East, ending in Nairobi or Mombasa.
Price on request
Before you go
Practical notes.
Heat
Tsavo is hotter than the highland parks; bring sun protection and light clothing.
Distances
The parks are large, so expect longer drives between sightings.
Common questions
Tsavo, explained.
What is the difference between Tsavo East and Tsavo West?
Tsavo East is flatter and more open, with Aruba dam and the Yatta Plateau. Tsavo West is hillier and more varied, with Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava flow.
Can I do a Tsavo safari from Mombasa?
Yes. Our 4-day Tsavo and Salt Lick safari starts and ends in Mombasa.
Why are Tsavo's elephants red?
They spray themselves with dust and mud to cool off and protect their skin, and Tsavo's soil is red, so they take on its colour.
Is Tsavo good for a first safari?
Yes, if you like space and fewer vehicles. Distances between sightings are longer than in the Mara, so it rewards a little patience.
Can I combine Tsavo with Amboseli?
Yes. Our 9-day Kenya safari continues from Amboseli into Tsavo West and Tsavo East before ending in Mombasa or Nairobi.
Your Tsavo journey
Ready to see Tsavo for yourself?
Explore safaris that include Tsavo, or tell us how you would like to travel.