Tsavo West National Park

Wildlife

Elephants and buffalo are widespread, and lion, leopard and cheetah all live in the park, along with spotted and striped hyena. Black rhino are protected in the fenced Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, set up in the 1980s at the foot of the Ngulia Hills, so all of the Big Five are found in Tsavo West, although rhino are not easy to see.

Plains game includes Maasai giraffe, plains zebra, Coke’s hartebeest, eland, impala and waterbuck, while dry-country specialists such as fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk and lesser kudu live in the thicker bush. Klipspringer are often seen on rocky outcrops.

At Mzima Springs, hippo and Nile crocodile live in the clear water. An underwater viewing chamber gives a rare chance to watch hippo and shoals of fish beneath the surface. Birdlife is excellent, with more than 500 species recorded across the Tsavo parks. The Ngulia Hills are also known among ornithologists for the large numbers of migrant songbirds that pass through on misty nights in November and December.

Key wildlife

• Elephant
• Lion
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Buffalo
• Black rhino
• Hippo
• Nile crocodile
• Fringe-eared oryx
• Gerenuk
• Lesser kudu
• Klipspringer
• Maasai giraffe

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: Jun–Oct. Also good: Jan–Feb.

Peak Good Quieter

The dry season, from June to October, is the best time for game viewing. The bush thins, and animals gather at springs, rivers and waterholes. January and February are a second, shorter dry period that is also good.

The long rains usually fall from around March to May and the short rains in November and December. The landscape turns green and birdlife is at its best, but the bush becomes thicker and wildlife harder to spot.

Days are warm to hot, and nights in the hills can be cool. Malaria is present, so speak to a travel clinic about prevention before you travel.

Getting There

Tsavo West is roughly midway between Nairobi and Mombasa. Mtito Andei Gate, the busiest entrance, is about four to five hours’ drive from Nairobi on the Mombasa road. Tsavo Gate, further south, is closer to Mombasa, and the Chyulu Gate in the west links the park with Amboseli.

Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi are the main international gateways. The Madaraka Express train between Nairobi and Mombasa stops at Mtito Andei, and there are airstrips in the park, including Kilaguni, for charter flights.

Park fees are cashless and must be paid in advance through the Kenya Wildlife Service’s eCitizen system. Your safari operator or lodge will usually arrange this for you.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

Conservation fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and charged per person for a single entry of up to 24 hours. Non-resident adults pay US$80 and children aged 5–17 US$40. African citizens pay US$40 (child US$20), Kenya residents KSh 1,350 and East African citizens KSh 1,000. Children under 5 are free. A vehicle with fewer than six seats pays KSh 600 per day.

Payment is cashless and must be made in advance through KWS’s eCitizen system, usually by your safari operator or lodge. Tsavo East and Tsavo West charge separately.

Gate hours

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Health

Malaria risk: Moderate. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials before you go.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Mzima Springs is the park’s best-known attraction, with a nature trail along the pools and an underwater hide for watching hippo and fish.

The Shetani Lava Flow is a vast field of black volcanic rock near the Chyulu Hills, with caves and a moonscape that contrasts strongly with the surrounding bush.

Game drives explore the hills, plains and waterholes, with chances of elephant, lion and leopard.

Viewpoints such as Roaring Rocks and Poacher’s Lookout offer sweeping views over the Tsavo plains.

Lake Jipe, in the far south on the Tanzanian border, is a peaceful spot for birdwatching and views of Kilimanjaro.

Explore neighbouring Tsavo East and Amboseli, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.