Tsavo National Park can be visited all year, but the experience varies significantly between the dry and wet seasons.

• Dry Season (June to October & January to February): This is considered the best time for general wildlife viewing. The short grass makes spotting animals easier, and wildlife congregates around the few permanent water sources, such as the Galana River and the Aruba Dam, making game drives highly rewarding.

• Wet Season (November to May): The long rains (March-May) and short rains (November-December) bring a lush, green landscape, which is fantastic for photography and bird watching. Migratory bird species are present during this time, though the denser vegetation can make some animals harder to find.

Prominent Wildlife

Tsavo is a genuine wilderness area that offers a raw, authentic safari experience, and it is a key destination for viewing the Big Five.

• The Red Elephants: The park is iconic for its huge herds of African Bush Elephants. They are famously coated in a deep rust-red hue from wallowing and dust-bathing in the iron oxide-rich soil of Tsavo East.

• The Big Five: Tsavo is home to all of the Big Five: Elephant, Lion (including the famous, often maneless Tsavo Lions), Leopard, Cape Buffalo, and the critically endangered Black Rhino (protected primarily in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo West).

• Plains Game & Unique Species: Other common sightings include Maasai Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Cheetah, and various antelopes such as the Lesser Kudu and Gerenuk, the “giraffe gazelle.”

• Birdlife: With over 500 recorded species, the park is a paradise for birders, especially along the riverine areas and swamps.

Activities in Tsavo National Park

The park’s size and diverse geography offer a wider range of activities than many other Kenyan parks, blending traditional safari with geological exploration:

• Game Drives: Explore the vast open plains of Tsavo East or the rugged terrain of Tsavo West, typically undertaken in the early morning and late afternoon for the best viewing opportunities.

• Mzima Springs Visit (Tsavo West): Visit this geological wonder where crystal-clear water filters through volcanic rock to form natural pools. A unique underwater viewing chamber allows you to observe hippos, crocodiles, and fish from below the surface.

• Mzima Springs Walking Safari (Tsavo West): A short, guided walk around the springs area, one of the few places in the park where visitors can leave their vehicle.

• Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary Visit (Tsavo West): A protected, fenced area dedicated to the conservation and breeding of the black rhino, offering the best chance to see this rare species.

• Geological Exploration: Discover features like the Shetani Lava Flow (a vast river of black, solidified volcanic rock) and the nearby Shetani Caves in Tsavo West.

• Mudanda Rock (Tsavo East): A massive, 1.6-kilometer-long natural rock formation that acts as a water catchment, offering an excellent vantage point to view wildlife, especially large elephant herds, drinking at the dam below.

• Lugard Falls (Tsavo East): See a unique series of white-water rapids on the Galana River, where the water carves its way through peculiarly shaped rock formations.

• Bird Watching: Tsavo West’s Ngulia Hills is located along one of the world’s busiest migratory bird routes, making the park a premier birding destination, particularly from October to April.