Tsavo National Parks

Tsavo National Parks, divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, together form one of the world's largest protected wilderness areas covering nearly 22,000 square kilometers - almost 4% of Kenya's total land area. This vast ecosystem offers a wild, untamed safari experience far from the crowds, with dramatic landscapes ranging from volcanic hills and lava flows to scrubland, rivers, and palm-fringed swamps.

Tsavo is famous for its "red elephants" - so called because they dust themselves with the park's distinctive red volcanic soil. The parks host one of Africa's largest elephant populations, alongside lions (including the legendary man-eating lions of Tsavo), leopards, buffalo, and rhinos. Tsavo East features the scenic Galana River and Yatta Plateau, the world's longest lava flow, while Tsavo West offers the stunning Mzima Springs where hippos and crocodiles can be viewed through an underwater observatory.

The parks' remote character and diverse landscapes create exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities with minimal tourist traffic. Highlights include the Lugard Falls, Shetani lava flows formed just 200 years ago, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protecting critically endangered black rhinos. Whether exploring ancient lava fields, tracking lions through scrubland, or watching elephants bathe in red dust, Tsavo offers authentic wilderness adventures.

Highlights

• One of world's largest protected areas
• Famous red elephants
• Mzima Springs underwater viewing
• Legendary man-eating lions history
• Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary

Things to Do

• Game drives
• Mzima Springs viewing
• Bird watching
• Rock climbing
• Photography
• Rhino tracking

June to October and January to February for best wildlife viewing