Tsavo East is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks. Together with Tsavo West it forms the biggest protected area in the country. Its open, arid plains, the Galana River and the famous “red elephants” — coated in the region’s red soil — give it a raw, untamed feel.
Because Tsavo East lies between Nairobi and Mombasa, it is the most popular choice for a bush and beach holiday.
Why visit Tsavo East National Park
Space. Tsavo East feels remote and uncrowded, and its size means you often have sightings to yourself. It is also the easiest safari to add to a beach stay at Diani or elsewhere on the coast.
Animals you can see
- Elephant herds dusted red from the soil
- Lion, cheetah and leopard
- Cape buffalo, giraffe and zebra
- Lesser kudu, gerenuk and fringe-eared oryx
- Hippo and crocodile along the Galana River
Best time to visit
June to October and January to February. After the rains the bush is greener and wildlife more spread out.
How many days do you need?
We recommend 2–3 days (often combined with Tsavo West) in Tsavo East National Park.
Things to do
- Game drives across the plains
- Lugard Falls on the Galana River
- Mudanda Rock — a natural water catchment that attracts elephants
- Views of the Yatta Plateau
- Bush and beach combinations with the coast
Where to stay
Tented camps and lodges inside the park and near the Voi and Sala gates.
Getting there
Around 2–3 hours from the Diani/Mombasa coast by road, or via the Nairobi–Mombasa railway to Voi.
