Established
1948
Size
22,000 km²
Elevation
230–2,000 m
Ecosystem
Semi-Arid Savanna, Lava Flows
Best Time
June – October, January – February
Entry Fee
$52 per adult/day
About Tsavo National Park
Tsavo is Kenya's largest and oldest national park, split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, covering a combined 22,000 km² of wild, raw African bush. Famous for its red elephants — stained by the region's distinctive red laterite soil — and its legendary man-eating lions that terrorized railway workers in 1898, Tsavo offers a rugged, frontier safari experience. Tsavo East is dominated by open savanna, the Galana River, and the iconic Mudanda Rock, while Tsavo West features volcanic landscapes, Mzima Springs (crystal-clear pools full of hippos and crocodiles), and the stunning Chyulu Hills. Together, they form one of the largest protected ecosystems on Earth.
What Makes It Special
Kenya's largest park
Famous red elephants
Mzima Springs underwater viewing
Man-eating lions history
Volcanic landscapes
Wildlife & Species
Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Peak Season
Best wildlife viewing
JunJulAugSepOct
Shoulder Season
Fewer crowds, good value
JanFebNov
Green Season
Lush landscapes, birding
MarAprMayDec
Where to Stay
Finch Hattons Luxury Camp
Ultra-LuxuryNamed after the legendary hunter, offering opulent tented suites beside the Tsavo River.
From $800/night / night
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Mid-RangeKenya's first safari lodge (1962) overlooking a busy waterhole in Tsavo West.
From $250/night / night
Voi Safari Lodge
BudgetHillside lodge in Tsavo East with panoramic views and a popular waterhole.
From $120/night / night
Safari Packages
4-Day Tsavo Red Elephant Safari
Photograph Kenya's famous red elephants in the vast Tsavo wilderness
5-Day Tsavo & Amboseli Combined
Red elephants of Tsavo plus Kilimanjaro-backdrop elephants of Amboseli