Tsavo West is the more scenic half of Kenya's vast Tsavo ecosystem, a wild landscape of volcanic hills, lava flows, bush and the crystal pools of Mzima Springs. It is quieter than the Mara or Amboseli, the roads are rougher, and the reward is a sense of space and discovery, with views of Kilimanjaro on clear days.
The park is known for its big herds of elephant, often tinted red by the volcanic soil, and for lions, leopards and cheetah hunting in the bush. Mzima Springs, fed by water that filters down from the Chyulu Hills, supports hippos and crocodiles that you can watch from an underwater viewing chamber. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protects a growing population of black rhino.
Tsavo West pairs well with Amboseli to the west and Tsavo East or the coast to the east.
Elephant are the highlight, along with buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, eland, lesser kudu, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx and the park’s black rhino in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Lions and leopards are present but harder to find in the thick bush than on the open plains, and the famous Tsavo lions are known for their lack of manes. Hippos and crocodiles live in Mzima Springs.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Tsavo West is rugged and varied. Black lava fields, volcanic cones and rocky outcrops rise from red-earth plains, the Chyulu Hills run along the northern edge, and Mzima Springs offers a patch of palm trees and clear blue water in the dry bush. On clear days the snow cap of Kilimanjaro shows beyond the park.
Activities here
Tsavo West is hot for most of the year, with daytime temperatures of 28°C to 33°C and warm nights. The long rains fall in March to May and the short rains in November and December.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 19 | 50 |
| Feb | 32 | 20 | 30 |
| Mar | 33 | 21 | 70 |
| Apr | 31 | 21 | 180 |
| May | 30 | 20 | 90 |
| Jun | 29 | 18 | 15 |
| Jul | 28 | 17 | 10 |
| Aug | 28 | 17 | 10 |
| Sep | 30 | 18 | 10 |
| Oct | 31 | 19 | 40 |
| Nov | 30 | 20 | 150 |
| Dec | 30 | 20 | 90 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October is dry, with clear skies, cooler nights and wildlife concentrating at waterholes and Mzima Springs. January and February are hot, dry and quiet.
The rains bring green bush, flowing seasonal rivers and migrant birds. Some tracks can be muddy, and thicker vegetation makes game harder to spot, but the park is peaceful and the light is lovely.
The dry months of June to October and January to February are the best for game viewing. The park can be visited all year, and the green season is a good choice for photographers and birders.
Best time to visit Jun to Oct
Tsavo West is about 240 kilometres from Nairobi and 250 kilometres from Mombasa, and the road journey takes around five hours from either city. Light aircraft fly to airstrips such as Kilaguni and Finch Hattons, and the park links easily with Amboseli by road.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Most visitors need a Kenya eTA arranged online before travel, and a passport valid for at least six months.
The park is hot, so bring a hat, sun cream and plenty of water. Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in the thick bush, so wear neutral clothes and avoid dark blue. Please take advice on malaria before you travel.
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“Our take”
Tsavo West is the park for travellers who like landscapes and quiet. Combine it with Amboseli, or with the coast.
Safaris from
US$2,538 per person
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