Tsavo East National Park Kenya flag

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Starting from

$750PP

Overview

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest national parks on the planet which covers 4% of Kenya. Tsavo National Park refers to both Tsavo East and West National Park, which are separated by a road and railway line. The two parks have separate ecosystems: Tsavo East National Park is complemented by open fields and scattered bush while Tsavo West National Park has a hilly landscape with volcanic cones and lava flows. 
Tsavo East National Park feels wild and undiscovered; its immense open spaces are mesmerizing. The huge, semi-arid wilderness is home to most safari animals, and although wildlife densities aren't enormous, spotting animals is consistently possible here because of the absence of foliage.

High Season
December to March and July to October
Best Time to Go
June to September and January to February

Pros & Cons

  • Amazing wildlife experience all year round with all of the Big Five Available
  • Birding is best with Dry-country specials
  • Amazing scenic landmarks like the Galana river and Taita Hills
  • Very limited area for tourism activities
  • Wildlife density is comparatively low

Map in Kenya

Tsavo East National Park map

Wildlife & Animals

Tsavo East offers incredible wildlife viewing in the immaculate wild. All of the Big Five are available. Lions, cheetahs and leopards can be frequently spotted in the region. It also has hyenas who are forever on the scent of their prey. Tsavo had more than 6000 elephants in the region. Elands, plains zebra, gazelles, Grevy’s zebra, hunter’s hartebeest, and lesser kudus are often seen feeding on the 118 plants found in the Tsavo East National Park. The park also has dik-dik, gerenuks, fringe-eared oryx, and klipspringers.

Wildlife Highlights

Tsavo East National Park is home to a healthy population of more than 600 adult Tsavo lions – a species known for its lack of manes. Elephants, dusted red by the park’s rich, rust-coloured soil, are only one of the big five mammals that occupy Tsavo East. Tsavo East has a decent scope of unusual antelope. This is one of only a few exceptional spots to see the fringed-eared oryx. The lesser kudu is exceptionally timid, however, can here and there be seen dashing off into the shrubs. With some luck, you may spot the critically endangered hirola or Hunter's hartebeest.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in the Tsavo East is good all year round. However, the Best time will be in the Dry season from June to October. Wildlife is simpler to spot since vegetation is more slender and animals assemble around predictable water sources. 

Birds

Tsavo East National park is an enormous number of over 500 bird species. Some of the rare bird species in the parks are African finfoot, golden pipit, Golden-breasted starling, martial eagle, Somali ostrich, Taita fiscal, and vulturine guinea fowl. Savannah monitor, a medium-sized monitor lizard, can be spotted prowling the plains and preying on small animals. The park’s huge area is a significant wintering ground for migrant species from Europe. Migrant birds are present from November to April.

Best Time for Birding

Bird watchers can visit the park year-round to spot the resident bird species. Migratory birds can be spotted from November to April. The peak months in the short and long rains are November and April with heavy rain a possibility, leading to bird-watching activities being disrupted.

Best Time to Visit – Tsavo East National Park

Wildlife viewing in the Tsavo East is good all year round. However, the Best time will be in the Dry season from June to October. Wildlife is simpler to spot since vegetation is more slender and animals assemble around predictable water sources. 

High Season
December to March and July to October
Low Season
Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas
Best Weather
Typically during dry months; check local patterns
Worst Weather
Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

  • Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
  • The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
  • Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area
  • Early morning and evening drives are cold in June, July and August

November to April (Wet Season)

  • The scenery is greener, and there are lower rates during this season
  • Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you'll still see plenty
  • There are many newborn animals and migratory birds
  • Except for January and February, rains seldom interfere with your trip
  • During January and February, the rains can be continuous for days
  • It gets very hot in October and November
  • Some lodges and camps close down during part of the Wet season

Activities

Explore popular activities available in and around Tsavo East National Park.

No FAQs available for this park yet.

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