DESTINATION GUIDE // KENYA
Tsavo West National Park
Greener, hillier and more varied than its twin, with springs clear enough to watch hippo from below the waterline.
9,065 km2
PARK AREA
50m litres
DAILY AT MZIMA
240 km
FROM NAIROBI
Jun-Oct
BEST MONTHS
1948
ESTABLISHED
Quick answer: Tsavo West National Park covers 9,065 square kilometres west of the Nairobi to Mombasa highway. It is greener and more mountainous than Tsavo East, with volcanic hills, lava flows and the Mzima Springs, which produce around fifty million litres of clear water a day.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Tsavo West National Park At A Glance
Tsavo West is the more scenic half of Tsavo. Volcanic hills, the Chyulu range on the horizon and thicker vegetation make game viewing harder work than in the east, but the landscape rewards it. Mzima Springs has an underwater viewing chamber where you can watch hippo and shoals of barbel from below the surface, which is unusual anywhere in Africa.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Taita-Taveta County, southeastern Kenya |
| Distance from Nairobi | Approximately 240 km, 4 hours by road |
| Size | 9,065 km2 |
| Established | 1948 |
| Main gates | Mtito Andei, Tsavo, Chyulu, Maktau |
| Known for | Mzima Springs, Shetani lava flow, Chaimu Crater, Ngulia rhino sanctuary |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Mzima Springs
Fifty million litres of filtered water rise here daily. The underwater chamber lets you watch hippo and barbel at eye level beneath the surface.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
A fenced sanctuary within the park protecting black rhino, one of the few places in Kenya where they can be seen reliably.
Volcanic Landscape
The Shetani lava flow and Chaimu Crater are recent enough to walk on, and the Chyulu Hills frame the northern horizon.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Oct | Dry, best visibility through the thicker bush | High |
| Jan to Feb | Hot and clear, good for the springs and rhino | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, lush and very quiet | Low |
| Nov to Dec | Short rains, green, good value | Medium |
EXPLORE MORE
Pair This With
Your Tsavo West Safari Starts Here
Tell us your dates and group size. We will reply within 24 hours with a tailor made proposal and a clear price.
RELATED PACKAGES
Safaris That Include This Park
TAILOR MADE SAFARI
Want to Know More? Talk to Us
Create an unforgettable memory with a customised Kenya or Tanzania safari. Tell us how you like to travel and our safari experts will shape the route around you, with no obligation.
Phone: +254 736 992 608
Email: info@solasafaritravels.com
