Tsavo National Parks
Kenya's largest protected area, over 20,800 km²
- Region
- Safari
- Best months
- Jan to Feb, Jun to OctDry Seasons
- Park fee from
- USD 80Non-resident adult
- Where to stay
- 12 properties
What is Tsavo known for?
KWS Wilderness Parks · Flat fees · Kenya's largest protected area
Tsavo, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, is Kenya's largest protected area at over 20,800 km². Tsavo East is flat and arid, known for red elephants stained by the park's soil; Tsavo West offers rhino tracking and Mzima Springs. Game viewing is best in the dry months, and Tsavo pairs well with Amboseli for a southern Kenya circuit.
Tsavo National Park, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, is Kenya's largest protected area, covering over 20,800 km², making it one of the biggest national parks in the world. Together they form a vast, wild, and largely undeveloped wilderness that feels profoundly remote and offers a fundamentally different safari experience from the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.
Tsavo East is the larger and more arid of the two parks, characterised by open, flat plains dotted with red laterite dust and baobab trees. It is famous for its red elephants, large herds whose grey skin is stained deep terracotta by the park's distinctive red soil. The Yatta Plateau, one of the world's longest lava flows at 290 km, runs along the park's western boundary.
Tsavo West is more rugged and scenically varied, with volcanic hills, lava flows, crater lakes, and the spectacular Mzima Springs, crystal-clear pools fed by underground water from Kilimanjaro where hippos and crocodiles can be observed through an underwater viewing chamber. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protects a growing population of black rhino.
Tsavo West borders Amboseli, making a combined southern Kenya circuit ideal for guests who want variety across landscapes and wildlife.
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Tsavo National Parks in pictures
When is the best time to visit Tsavo?
- January: Dry Seasons
- February: Dry Seasons
- March: no season named
- April: Avoid Long Rains
- May: Avoid Long Rains
- June: Dry Seasons
- July: Dry Seasons
- August: Dry Seasons
- September: Dry Seasons
- October: Dry Seasons
- November: no season named (this month)
- December: no season named
- Dry Seasons
- Avoid Long Rains
- This month
Year-Round
Tsavo's vastness means wildlife is present throughout the year.
Dry Seasons
Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct
Best game viewing. Wildlife concentrates around rivers and waterholes. Tsavo East: excellent elephant and predator sightings. Tsavo West: good rhino tracking and Mzima Springs.
Avoid Long Rains
Apr to May
Some tracks become impassable. Many camps reduce capacity or temporarily close. Landscapes dramatically beautiful but wildlife access limited.
Best combined with
Amboseli for a Big Five southern Kenya circuit.
How much are Tsavo park fees?
| Category | Non-resident | EA citizen | EA resident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | USD 80 / 24hrs | KES 1,200 | KES 1,620 |
| Child, 5 to 17 | USD 40 / 24hrs | KES 600 | KES 810 |
| Under 5 | Free | Free | Free |
KWS Wilderness Park. Flat fee year-round. Tsavo East and Tsavo West charged SEPARATELY, if visiting both, pay for each independently. Multi-park bundle: Tsavo East + West = USD 140 non-resident adult. Payments via eCitizen portal, cashless only. Valid 24hrs from entry.
Park fees are not included in accommodation rates and are added at quotation stage. Effective October 2025, reverified annually.
Where to stay in Tsavo
Ultra-luxury, 1 property
Ultra-luxuryFull board
Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge
Lodge
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West
A Soroi Collection lodge in the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo West, priced on full-board and ground-package bases. Full description and photography pending.
Luxury, 5 properties
LuxuryFull board
Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 17 suites
Tsavo West, Chyulu Hills concession, natural springs
The only luxury camp inside Tsavo West and one of Kenya's most storied safari properties, named for Denys Finch Hatton, the great Kenyan conservationist and hunter of the colonial era. Set on a 35-acre concession around three natural spring-fed pools teeming with hippos and crocodiles, with Kilimanjaro visible in the distance and the Chyulu Hills behind. 17 opulent suites with multi-level decks overlooking the waterhole. The full-service spa, hammam, infinity pool, and yoga deck make this the most comprehensive luxury operation in the Tsavo ecosystem. Guided Chyulu Cloud Forest hikes and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary visits available.
LuxuryFull board
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 56 rooms
Tsavo West, volcanic hills, waterhole-facing
The oldest lodge inside Tsavo West and one of Kenya's pioneering safari properties, 56 rooms facing a busy waterhole visited by elephant, buffalo, rhino, and lion throughout the day and into the night. The lodge's elevated position in the volcanic hills provides Kilimanjaro views on clear mornings. Part of the Serena Hotels group and known for consistent quality and an authentic Tsavo atmosphere. The waterhole viewing from the dining terrace is one of the finest wildlife-watching experiences at any Kenyan lodge.
LuxuryFull board
Severin Safari Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 27 tents
Tsavo West, private concession near Mzima Springs
A well-designed luxury camp in Tsavo West on a private concession, 27 tents in East African safari style with private verandas, a large pool, and close proximity to the extraordinary Mzima Springs where crystal-clear water bubbles up from Kilimanjaro's underground streams. Known for reliable service and excellent guiding by experienced Tsavo specialists. The large pool and beautiful grounds make it particularly popular with families. One of the better-value luxury options in Tsavo West.
LuxuryFull board
Leopards Lair Cottages
Cottages
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West
Soroi Collection's rustic cottages in the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo West, priced on full-board and ground-package bases, with a self-catering option also listed. Full description and photography pending.
LuxuryFull board
Cheetah Tented Camp
Tented Camp
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West
A Soroi Collection tented camp in the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo West, priced on full-board and ground-package bases. Full description and photography pending.
Show all 5 luxury staysShow fewer
LuxuryFull board
Severin Safari Camp
Luxury Tented Camp · 27 tents
Tsavo West, private concession near Mzima Springs
A well-designed luxury camp in Tsavo West on a private concession, 27 tents in East African safari style with private verandas, a large pool, and close proximity to the extraordinary Mzima Springs where crystal-clear water bubbles up from Kilimanjaro's underground streams. Known for reliable service and excellent guiding by experienced Tsavo specialists. The large pool and beautiful grounds make it particularly popular with families. One of the better-value luxury options in Tsavo West.
LuxuryFull board
Leopards Lair Cottages
Cottages
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West
Soroi Collection's rustic cottages in the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo West, priced on full-board and ground-package bases, with a self-catering option also listed. Full description and photography pending.
LuxuryFull board
Cheetah Tented Camp
Tented Camp
Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, bordering Tsavo West
A Soroi Collection tented camp in the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tsavo West, priced on full-board and ground-package bases. Full description and photography pending.
Mid-range, 6 properties
Mid-rangeFull board
Ashnil Aruba Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 50 rooms
Tsavo East, Aruba Dam, eastern sector
Positioned beside the famous Aruba Dam, a large impoundment that concentrates extraordinary volumes of wildlife in Tsavo East's otherwise semi-arid landscape. 50 rooms with dam views and an excellent pool terrace from which hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of waterbirds are visible without game drives. The dam setting is unique in the Tsavo ecosystem. Known for reliable service and good value. An excellent choice for wildlife photography from a fixed position.
Mid-rangeFull board
Ngulia Safari Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 53 rooms
Tsavo West, Ngulia Hills, rhino sanctuary adjacent
The original lodge of Tsavo West, set in the dramatic Ngulia Hills with spectacular views over the valley floor below, adjacent to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protecting Kenya's growing black rhino population. The lodge is famous among ornithologists as a premier Palearctic migrant ringing site, in some November nights, thousands of migrants are caught and ringed by researchers. 53 rooms in a compact hill-top lodge with good views and close access to the sanctuary. A unique combination of rhino tracking and world-class birding.
Mid-rangeFull board
Satao Camp
Tented Camp · 20 tents
Tsavo East, Voi area, waterhole position
A beloved midrange camp in Tsavo East that has been producing remarkable wildlife sightings for decades, 20 tents arranged around a natural waterhole visited by some of Tsavo's famous red elephants throughout the day and night. An unfussy, authentic bush camp focused on what matters: wildlife access and good guiding. The waterhole-facing tent verandas deliver some of Kenya's most accessible wildlife viewing without moving. A consistent favourite among repeat Kenya visitors for its straightforward bush-camp character.
Mid-rangeFull board
Sentrim Tsavo East
Tented Camp · 45 tents
Tsavo East, eastern sector
A practical midrange tented camp in Tsavo East, 45 well-maintained tents with en-suite facilities and good access to the eastern sector's game drive circuits. Part of the Sentrim Hotels group and known for clean, comfortable accommodation at honest prices. Well-suited to self-drive travellers and groups visiting on mid-range budgets. The camp's size allows flexibility in group bookings and the service is consistent and professionally managed.
Mid-rangeFull board
Voi Safari Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 58 rooms
Tsavo East, elevated above the plains, Voi
An iconic Tsavo East property built on an elevated rocky outcrop with panoramic views across the red-dust plains of one of Kenya's oldest national parks, 58 rooms all facing the view, with a waterhole below that draws Tsavo's famous red elephants, lion, leopard, and buffalo. The lodge's distinctive mid-century architecture and dramatic setting make it one of Kenya's most photographed properties. Known for spectacular sunsets over the vast Tsavo landscape and good game drive access into the eastern sector.
Mid-rangeFull board
Voyager Ziwani Camp
Tented Camp · 25 tents
Tsavo West, Sante River private sanctuary
A sociable, well-run midrange camp on a 30,000-acre private sanctuary on the western edge of Tsavo West, 25 tents on the edge of a secluded dam on the Sante River teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. Part of the Heritage Hotels group and particularly known for an outstanding children's programme making it one of the best family safari options in the Tsavo ecosystem. Night game drives available on the private sanctuary. Its own airstrip makes it accessible from Nairobi Wilson Airport. WWI battlefield sites are nearby.
Show all 6 mid-range staysShow fewer
Mid-rangeFull board
Satao Camp
Tented Camp · 20 tents
Tsavo East, Voi area, waterhole position
A beloved midrange camp in Tsavo East that has been producing remarkable wildlife sightings for decades, 20 tents arranged around a natural waterhole visited by some of Tsavo's famous red elephants throughout the day and night. An unfussy, authentic bush camp focused on what matters: wildlife access and good guiding. The waterhole-facing tent verandas deliver some of Kenya's most accessible wildlife viewing without moving. A consistent favourite among repeat Kenya visitors for its straightforward bush-camp character.
Mid-rangeFull board
Sentrim Tsavo East
Tented Camp · 45 tents
Tsavo East, eastern sector
A practical midrange tented camp in Tsavo East, 45 well-maintained tents with en-suite facilities and good access to the eastern sector's game drive circuits. Part of the Sentrim Hotels group and known for clean, comfortable accommodation at honest prices. Well-suited to self-drive travellers and groups visiting on mid-range budgets. The camp's size allows flexibility in group bookings and the service is consistent and professionally managed.
Mid-rangeFull board
Voi Safari Lodge
Permanent Lodge · 58 rooms
Tsavo East, elevated above the plains, Voi
An iconic Tsavo East property built on an elevated rocky outcrop with panoramic views across the red-dust plains of one of Kenya's oldest national parks, 58 rooms all facing the view, with a waterhole below that draws Tsavo's famous red elephants, lion, leopard, and buffalo. The lodge's distinctive mid-century architecture and dramatic setting make it one of Kenya's most photographed properties. Known for spectacular sunsets over the vast Tsavo landscape and good game drive access into the eastern sector.
Mid-rangeFull board
Voyager Ziwani Camp
Tented Camp · 25 tents
Tsavo West, Sante River private sanctuary
A sociable, well-run midrange camp on a 30,000-acre private sanctuary on the western edge of Tsavo West, 25 tents on the edge of a secluded dam on the Sante River teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. Part of the Heritage Hotels group and particularly known for an outstanding children's programme making it one of the best family safari options in the Tsavo ecosystem. Night game drives available on the private sanctuary. Its own airstrip makes it accessible from Nairobi Wilson Airport. WWI battlefield sites are nearby.
Itineraries featuring Tsavo National Parks
What to pair with Tsavo
Places to pair with Tsavo on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
Anything not answered here, a consultant answers directly. More planning questions are on the FAQ page, and before you fly, read Kenya eTA and entry requirements.
Best game viewing. Wildlife concentrates around rivers and waterholes. Tsavo East: excellent elephant and predator sightings. Tsavo West: good rhino tracking and Mzima Springs.
No. Park fees are not included in accommodation rates and are added at quotation stage. KWS Wilderness Park. Flat fee year-round. Tsavo East and Tsavo West charged SEPARATELY, if visiting both, pay for each independently. Multi-park bundle: Tsavo East + West = USD 140 non-resident adult. Payments via eCitizen portal, cashless only. Valid 24hrs from entry.
Tsavo National Park, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, is Kenya's largest protected area, covering over 20,800 km², making it one of the biggest national parks in the world. Together they form a vast, wild, and largely undeveloped wilderness that feels profoundly remote and offers a fundamentally different safari experience from the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.
Plan your Tsavo safari
Start here and add the regions around it, or let us suggest a route. A consultant takes it from there.