Tsavo National Park
Tsavo National Park Flora & Fauna
The Park is mostly open grassland, with random scattered rocky outcrops. Along the rivers there are narrow stretches of riverine forest and thicket, of Acacia elatior, the Doum Palm Hyphaene compressa and the shrub Suaeda monoica. The northern part of the park has Acacia-Commiphora woodland. South of the Galana, includes all the common shrubs of the park such as species of Premna, Bauhinia, Sericocomopsis, Delonix elata and Melia volkensii.
The Tsavo National Park is one of the largest sanctuaries in the world. It is famous for the unique Tsavo lions that do not have manes even in their adulthood; there are over 675 lions in the Tsavo ecosystem. You can get a good look at the Big Five when you go for Gamedrives and jungle safaris. Elephants are quite a common sight with a coating of the red dust on their skin giving them a unique dusty red brown color against the arid backdrop of the Park. Other animals found here are African Wildcat, Maasai Giraffes, Bat Eared Fox, Spotted hyenas, Impalas, Leopards, African Bush Elephant and many others. There are over 500 bird species within the Park including the Secretary Birds, Weavers, Starlings, Kestrel, Hornbills and many others.
Tsavo National Park Tour Packages
This full day Safari takes you on a tour of the Tsavo East National Park and offers you a fantastic experience of getting a close view of the majestic Tsavo Lions, African Bush Elephants, Big cats, Rhinos and more. A private guide will take you on a personalized vehicle from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Park's beautiful landscape.
- Inclusion:
- Pick and drop in Mombasa and Diani
- A customized Safari vehicle with a pop up roof for easy viewing.
- Price: 200 USD approx for 2 adults
Also Checkout: Kenya Safari Packages
Explore the spectacular beauty of Tsavo East National Park and the magnificent wildlife on this exciting jungle Safari. The package offers early morning game drives and stay at a Safari lodge. During your game drive you will also visit the Aruba Dam where you can get a good view of many animals who come here especially during the dry season.
- Inclusion:
- Round trip transportation from Mombasa
- Dinner and breakfast at the lodge
- Early morning game drives
- Price: 484 USD approx for 2 adults.
Also Read: Places to Visit in Kenya
This 3 day tour package takes on an exhilarating tour of 2 of the best wildlife destinations in Kenya. Enjoy a close encounter with the Big Fives at the Tsavo East National Park and take in the incredible views of Mt Kilimanjaro from Amboseli Park.
Inclusion:
- jungle safaris in Tsavo East AND Amboseli
- Views of Kilimanjaro and early morning game drives
- Pick up and drop off Mombasa and Nairobi.
- Meals
Price: 725 USD approx for 2 adults.
Explore the amazing Flora and fauna of Tsavo East and West with this 2 day tour package. Go on an early morning game drive and observe the majestic beasts like the lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes and the Big Fives. You will also be visiting attractions and enjoy lunch at Lionhill. Your adventure tour is complete with a stay at the Safari Lodge within the Park premises.
Inclusion:
- Dinner, Breakfast, lunch
- Pick up and drop in Nairobi
Price: 540 USD approx per room.
Maximize your chances to spot the best of the wildlife at the Tsavo East and West National Park, Amboseli and get a good view of the majestic Kilimanjaro with this specially curated Kilimanjaro Special Package.
Inclusion:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
- Private safaris
- Game drives
Price: 1000 USD approx for 2 adult
This exciting package includes a series of game drives spread over three days. You will be spending one night at the Tsavo East National Park and the second night at Salt Lick Game Lodge. The Game Lodge is located right above a watering hole making it a great position for wildlife spotting.
Inclusion:
- Park entrance fees.
- Game drives
- Accommodation and transportation
- Meals
Price: 700 USD approx for 2 adults.
Things to Do at Tsavo National Park
Bird watching is one of the most interesting and rewarding activities you can do at the Tsavo National Park. Birds such as Narina Trogon, Somali Ostrich, Lesser Kestrel, Slender - tailed Nightjar, Taita Falcon, Golden Pit-Pit, Black Faced Sandgrouse among many other birds can be spotted here. Majority of these birds are permanent residents, however, if you visit between November to February you will be able to see a wide variety of European migratory birds such as the common swift, white stork, sand martins, European bee eater.
- Timings - 6am to 6pm
- Price - Included in the entrance fee, 75 USD for adults and 40 USD for children.
Suggested Read: Things to Do in Kenya
The Tsavo National Park is one of the best places for you to witness the culture of the Maasai Tribe of Kenya. Enjoy traditional dances, songs and other art forms and the culture here hasn't been diluted by tourists and foreigners thus maintaining its cultural richness. You can visit the locals in their homes and see first hand their traditional way of life.
- Timing - 6am to 6pm
- Price - Included in the entrance fee, 75 USD for adults and 40 USD for children.
Also Checkout: Tsavo National Park Safari Tour
Trip to Tsavo National Park is incomplete without a Game Drive experience,this is the best way to get a good view of the wildlife population in the Park. Game Drives at the park are available in three shifts - morning Game Drives, Evening and Full Day Game Drives. Morning Game Drives are considered the best as this is the time when animals are most active, evening Game Drives are mostly meant for animals that are nocturnal. Animals you will encounter during these drives are The Big Fives, zebras, giraffes, hippos, Gazelles and others.
Timing - 6am to 6pm
Price - Starting from 100 USD
Tsavo West National Park offers some of the best rock climbing experiences here. Kichwa Tembo Rock standing at 300 meters tall is the most famous rock climbing attraction in the Park. Other rock climbing destinations within the Park are Tsavo Chimney, Ngulia Hills, Ivory Tower and Mastodon. The view from the summit is absolutely breathtaking and you can observe large herds of elephants, flocks of birds, rhinos and other animals from the top. Climbers are accompanied by an armed Park ranger.
Timing - 6am
Price - 15 USD
There are a lot of places within the Tsavo National Park where you can go camping. These sites need to be booked in advance to avoid overcrowding and it is best to book them online. These community and private camping sites are located close to waterholes and good wildlife viewing areas, these sites are mostly protected by Park Rangers to ensure safety of the guests
Timing - 6am to 6pm
Price - 20 USD for public campsite and 35 USD for the special site.
Walking Safaris at the Tsavo National Park is quite an adventure , there are specifically charted routes meant for Walking Safaris which is done under the guidance of an armed Park Ranger. The hike will take you to the Poacher's hill from where you can see a stunning aerial view of the Park.
Timing - 6am to 6pm
Price - Starting from 12 USD
Lodges and Camps in Tsavo National Park
The Voi Safari lodge offers an excellent view of the East Tsavo Plains which extends all the way to the Yatta plateau. The property is on a high ground overlooking the Park from where you can observe herds of wild animals roaming beneath. There are watering holes around the Lodge which is great for animal spotting.
- Amenities - 2 restaurants, 2 bars, Game Viewing Terrace, Rock Swimming Pool.
- Price - 240 USD per room
Also Checkout: Kenya Safari Lodges
Satao Camp offers 20 tents which are conveniently nestled between trees. The tents form a semicircle around a central watering hole which in turn offers an excellent view of the animals that come here for a drink. All the tents are comfortably furnished with traditional furniture and have ensuite bathrooms with running water. The tents have private verandas from where you can enjoy views of the Park as well as any animal that visits the watering hole.
- Amenities - Ensure Baths, running water, parking, internet, outdoor fireplace, restaurant
- Price - 600 USD per room
Must Checkout: Tsavo National Park Lodges
Sentrim Tsavo East is located within the Tsavo East National Park and it is about 11km from Voi Gate and 40 kilometers from the Bachuma Gate. The camp features a Restaurant, Pool Bar, Pool and Fireplaces. It has 25 guest rooms, solar power facilities, a coffee maker and offers recreational activities. The property also features a children's pool and a picnic area for those traveling with family.
Amenities - Parking, internet, pool, restaurant, bar, fire place
Price - 157 USD approx per room
Manyatta Camp is an exclusive accommodation facility located right at the boundary of the Tsavo East National Park. The camp has two sets of tents with 13 tents near the riverside and 11 tents facing the Tsavo National Park. The most unique feature of this property is that each tent comes with its own private plunge pool. The Twiga Restaurant located within the property is on the second floor and offers some of the best views of Tsavo National Park.
Amenities - swimming pool, restaurant, bar, Safari spa with a gym, steamroom, yoga room and Jacuzzi.
Price - 125 USD
The Salt Lick Safari Lodge is famous for being the most photographed lodges in the world. It offers a luxurious Safari escape which is set right in the heart of the Tsavo West National Park, the property overlooks a waterhole and offers a fantastic view of the Tsavo Plains. The property has 96 rooms and all of these rooms are built on an elevated surface and have ensuite bathrooms with permanent showers.
Amenities - Sun terrace, Restaurant, Bar, Parking, Infirmary.
Price - 220 USD per room.
The Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is set in the cool and serene refuge that is created by the magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro. Here you can get enchanted by the Royal Stone interiors, early morning game driving, swimming in the crystalline cool waters of the Rock Pool and get a chance to be surrounded by the amazing wildlife of Kenya. The lodge includes 56 rooms including 5 remarkably large luxury suites and the resplendent Kilaguni Suite.
Amenities - Bar, Restaurant, BBQ facilities, Banquet Halls.
Price - 270 USD approx per room
Know Before You Go Tsavo National Park
How to Reach
- By Car - Tsavo West is approximately 230 km from Nairobi and 250 km from Mombasa and it will take you approximately 4 to 6 hours of driving to reach.
- By Plane - Many scheduled flights run from the Nairobi Wilson Airport to Tsavo West and there are also airstrips available for chartered planes.
- By Train - You can not directly reach the National Park via train but you can take a train from Nairobi to Mitito Andei from where you can get a cab to Tsavo National Park.
Best time of the year to visit
The best time to visit the Tsavo National Park is during the dry months which are between July to September and December to March which is perfect for wildlife viewing as the dry weather during this time attracts a lot of animals to the water sources.
Insect Repellent
Important travel documents
Sunscreen
Hat
Comfortable walking Shoes
Cameras
Binoculars
Personal Toiletries
Light jacket
Soft sided duffle bags
Emergency medicines
Wear coveralls to protect yourself from bug bites as it is a very common threat in the wild.
Wear clothing proofed with EX1
Get pre-safari rabies vaccine
Avoid red and white or very bright colors clothing so you don't alert the wildlife around you.
Use insect repellents.
FAQ's of Tsavo National Park
What activities can we do at Tsavo National Park?
There are many activities that you can do at the Tsavo National Park such as Canoeing, ATV or Quad biking, Hot Air Ballooning, riding the Lunatic Railway, Birdwatching, along with many others.
How many days do you need at Tsavo National Park?
It is best to set aside 2 to 3 days for your Tsavo National Park tour so you can take your time in appreciating the beauty of the park and your surroundings.
Best time of the year to visit Tsavo National Park?
The best time of the year to visit the Tsavo National Park is during the dry months which are July to September and December to March, as these months are perfect for wildlife viewing.
What facilities will I get at Tsavo National Park?
Tsavo National Park offers a wide range of accommodation facilities right inside its boundaries which are conveniently located near watering holes. The Park offers customized vehicles for safaris and game drives as well as several recreational activities.
What are the best places to visit in Tsavo National Park?
Lugard's Falls - This is a beautiful waterfall along the Galana River and a great location for wildlife spotting.
Mudanda Rock - Mudanda Rock is a large 1.6 km inselberg of stratified rock that creates a natural dam and offers an excellent vantage point for the hundreds of animals that come here for water during dry season.
Yatta Plateau - This is the longest lava flow in the World above the Athi River.