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Kenya · Safari
Tsavo National Parks
Photo: McKay Savage / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Properties
- 12
- Ultra-luxury
- 1
- Luxury
- 5
- Mid-range
- 6
Overview
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.
When to go
Dry SeasonsJan to Feb, Jun to Oct
Avoid Long RainsApr to May
- This month
- Year-Round
- Tsavo's vastness means wildlife is present throughout the year.
- Dry Seasons
- 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
- 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.
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.
Tsavo National Parks in pictures
Where you'll stay
Ultra-luxury · 1
- Photos to come
Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge
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.
Full boardLodge
Ultra-luxury
Luxury · 5
- Photos to come
Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp
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.
Full boardLuxury Tented Camp
Luxury - Photos to come
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
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.
Full boardPermanent Lodge
Luxury - Photos to come
Severin Safari Camp
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.
Full boardLuxury Tented Camp
Luxury - Photos to come
Leopards Lair Cottages
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.
Full boardCottages
Luxury - Photos to come
Cheetah Tented Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Luxury
Show all 5 luxury staysShow fewer
- Photos to come
Severin Safari Camp
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.
Full boardLuxury Tented Camp
Luxury - Photos to come
Leopards Lair Cottages
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.
Full boardCottages
Luxury - Photos to come
Cheetah Tented Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Luxury
Mid-range · 6
- Photos to come
Ashnil Aruba Lodge
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.
Full boardPermanent Lodge
Mid-range - Photos to come
Ngulia Safari Lodge
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.
Full boardPermanent Lodge
Mid-range - Photos to come
Satao Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range - Photos to come
Sentrim Tsavo East
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range - Photos to come
Voi Safari Lodge
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.
Full boardPermanent Lodge
Mid-range - Photos to come
Voyager Ziwani Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range
Show all 6 mid-range staysShow fewer
- Photos to come
Satao Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range - Photos to come
Sentrim Tsavo East
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range - Photos to come
Voi Safari Lodge
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.
Full boardPermanent Lodge
Mid-range - Photos to come
Voyager Ziwani Camp
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.
Full boardTented Camp
Mid-range
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Sample Safaris
Itineraries featuring Tsavo National Parks
Elephant herds beneath Kilimanjaro, then the red-dust plains of Tsavo's red elephants.
Frequently asked questions
Anything not answered here, a consultant answers directly. More planning questions are on the FAQ page.
Best game viewing. Wildlife concentrates around rivers and waterholes. Tsavo East: excellent elephant and predator sightings. Tsavo West: good rhino tracking and Mzima Springs.
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.