The majestic Tsavo East National Park is one of the unmissable safari destinations in Kenya, and a World in motion. If this is your first time on a Kenya safari, or just your first time in this Protected Area, it couldn’t be easier, at least if you have saved up big for that Kenya specialty. Kenya does wonderfully well, and if this is your first time here, it is unlikely to be your last.

History, Location, and Size of Tsavo East National Park

Located in Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province, Tsavo East is a 13,747 square kilometer, pulsing Protected Area that is unlike any other on the Planet. Its landscape is characterized by varying natural habitats- semi-arid plains, savannas, huge baobab trees, Yatta plateau, and a stunning scrubland, among others.

This semi-arid Protected Area was gazetted in 1948 and protects a vast area known as the “Taru desert”, with the Tsavo River flowing west to East through the Protected Area.

Interesting things to see in Tsavo East National Park

Wildlife

Popular for being one of the World’s biodiversity hot spots, Amboseli National Park provides an unspoiled home to several wildlife species that include African bush elephants, African buffaloes, Yellow baboons, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, Serval, Senegal bush baby, cheetahs, African Civets, Bush duikers, Bushbucks, African wild cats, Rhinos, Grant’s gazelles, Masai giraffes, zebras, Topis, Spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, impalas, vervet monkeys, Dwarf and Slender Mongoose, Grevy’s zebras, Suni, Common genets, Common elands, Bat-eared fox, Honey badger, Common warthogs, dik-diks, Gerenuk, Coke’s hartebeests, and many others.

Birdlife

Nearly 500 bird species call Amboseli National Park home. And for those on a birding safari, it is an adventure waiting to happen. Some of the bird species to look out for include weaver birds, Golden-breasted starling, secretary birds, Pangani long claw, Northern brown bull, black-headed lapwing, Somali ostriches, martial eagle, Golden pipit, Fischer’s starling, vulturine Guineafowl, slender tailed nightjar, African fin foot, rufous chatterer, Taita falcon, Shelley’s starling, and many others.

Beautiful landscapes

Being generally flat, Tsavo East National Park is marked by breathtaking landscapes/natural features that include the spectacular Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls, the beautiful Voi River, Aruba Dam, semi-arid grasslands and savannah, Galana River, the Mudanda Rock, and many others.

Top things to do in Tsavo East National Park

Birding in Tsavo East National Park

Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in activities in Tsavo East National Park, making it a phenomenal safari destination to go birding. Game drives and guided walks are a wonderful way to see a variety of savannah, wetland, and woodland-related species. Sights and sounds of African fin foot, vulturine Guineafowl, Northern brown bull, slender-tailed nightjar, Pangani long claw, rufous chatterer, secretary birds, black-headed lapwing, Somali ostriches, martial eagle, Golden pipit, and Fischer’s starling are unmissable.

Game drives in Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East game drives are for everyone looking to experience the natural beauty and diversity of Kenya’s Protected Areas. You will explore this Protected Area in a 4X4 Safari vehicle, specially built to maneuver various game tracks, while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding wildlife. Done by qualified safari guides, explore the different locations and behavior of the different wildlife species sighted along the way.

While we can’t promise particular sightings, there are great chances of sighting Rhinos, Spotted hyenas, Yellow baboons, African Civets, African wild dogs, leopards, African bush elephants, Masai giraffes, lions, impalas, African wild cats, cheetahs, African buffaloes, Senegal bush baby, Bush duikers, Bushbucks, Grant’s gazelles, zebras, Topis, Defassa waterbucks, and many others. There are different game drives in Tsavo East National Park- morning, afternoon, evening, and full-day drives.

Walking safaris in Tsavo East National Park

The semi-arid plains, savannas, and the huge baobab trees make Tsavo East National Park’s walking safaris ideal. These adventures are a great opportunity to closely observe the wilderness and sight lots of free-ranging wildlife and bird species. Sights of African bush elephants, African buffaloes, Yellow baboons, Bush duikers, Bushbucks, Rhinos, Grant’s gazelles, Masai giraffes, zebras, Topis, Spotted hyenas, and Defassa waterbucks are common during these walks.

Photography in Tsavo East National Park

Photography tours in Tsavo East National Park make it possible to improve your wildlife photography abilities. Naturally, setting foot in this Protected Area offers the chance to capture stunning images of birds, wildlife, landscapes, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Together with our professional photography guides, you will capture these moments for unforgettable experiences.

When should you go to Tsavo East National Park?

Tsavo East National Park is at its best from June to September and December to February. This is when skies are clear and temperatures are mild (or even cooler in the evenings). With increased sunshine, animals are more concentrated around water sources, hence making sightings more frequent and accessible.

These months are part of the dry season, which also corresponds with much of the high season- June to September, when prices are at their highest and availability of accommodations is harder to come by.

During the rest of the months, which are low/green or shoulder season, the weather can sometimes be unpredictable. This is when the rains begin in early November (ceasing in December) and continue from March through May. Things are a little quieter in Tsavo East National Park, and aside from an absence of crowds, there are upsides to traveling in the Protected Area in March to May and October to November. For one, migratory bird species arrive in the area from North Africa and Europe. Also, the landscapes are wonderful during and immediately after the rains.

However, the overgrowth in vegetation makes wildlife more dispersed and difficult to sight, as well as making some roads difficult to navigate.

Where to stay during Tsavo East National Park safaris

Some of the accommodation options for visitors exploring Tsavo East National Park include Galdessa Camp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Ngutuni Safari Lodge, Aruba Dam Campsite, Satao Tented Camp, Ndololo Camp, Red Elephants Safari Lodge, Leopard Lodge, Kiboko River Camp, Galana Crocodile Camp, Ashnil Aruba Lodge, and many others.

Getting to Tsavo East National Park

Depending on how you plan to take a Tsavo East National Park safari, there are several ways in which you can plan to get there. Tsavo East is a huge National park that covers over 13,747 square kilometers, so where you plan to tour within the protected Area will have a big impact on how you will want to get there.

Approximately 233 kilometers southeast of Nairobi, road transfers are the commonest way to get to Tsavo East National Park, and then access it via two gates -Voi gate & Bachuma gates. These gates are also 157 kilometers northwest of Mombasa.

If you want to fly to Tsavo East National Park, your best bet is to arrive via Wilson Airport and Moi International Airport. These Airports have direct flights to Aruba Airstrip, Bachuma Airstrip, Sala Airstrip, Voi Airstrip, or Satao Airstrip.

It is also possible to get to Tsavo East National Park by train, using the Madaraka Express line from Mombasa to Voi, then connecting to the Park by road.