DESTINATION GUIDE // KENYA
Tsavo East National Park
Flat, red and enormous. Home of the dust-red elephants and the longest lava flow on earth.
13,747 km2
PARK AREA
Red
ELEPHANTS
290 km
FROM NAIROBI
Jun-Oct
BEST MONTHS
1948
ESTABLISHED
Quick answer: Tsavo East National Park covers 13,747 square kilometres in southeastern Kenya, making it one of the largest parks in the world. It lies about 290 km from Nairobi on the Mombasa road. Its elephants appear deep red because they dust bathe in the parks volcanic soil.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Tsavo East National Park At A Glance
Tsavo East is open, flat and semi arid, which makes game easy to spot once you find it. The Galana River cuts across the park and draws everything to it through the dry season. The Yatta Plateau, a 300 km lava flow along the western boundary, is the longest in the world. Because the park is so large you can drive for an hour without meeting another vehicle.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Taita-Taveta and Kitui counties, southeastern Kenya |
| Distance from Nairobi | Approximately 290 km, 4 to 5 hours by road |
| Size | 13,747 km2 |
| Established | 1948 |
| Main gates | Voi, Manyani, Sala, Buchuma |
| Known for | Red elephants, Yatta Plateau, Lugard Falls, Aruba Dam |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Red Elephants
Large herds coloured deep red by the soil they bathe in. The Voi River circuit and Aruba Dam are the most reliable places to find them.
Yatta Plateau
A 300 kilometre lava flow running along the Athi River, the longest in the world and a striking feature on any drive along the western side.
Lugard Falls
A series of rapids on the Galana River where the water forces through narrow rock channels. Crocodile and hippo gather in the pools below.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Oct | Dry, sparse cover, animals gather at water | High |
| Jan to Feb | Hot and dry, very good game viewing | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, roads difficult in places | Low |
| Nov to Dec | Short rains, green and photogenic | Medium |
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