Game drives · South-east Kenya
Tsavo East & West
Red-dust elephants and lava landscapes
Kenya's largest wilderness — wild, raw and refreshingly uncrowded. Tsavo East is vast red-earth plains; Tsavo West is greener, with lava flows, springs and dramatic hills.
- Red elephants dusted in Tsavo's iron-rich soil
- Mzima Springs underwater hippo viewing
- Shetani lava flows and Chyulu Hills views
- Far fewer vehicles than Mara or Amboseli
Best time to visit
June to October and January to March. The short rains (November) bring lush landscapes and migratory birds.
Getting there
Easy add-on between Nairobi and Diani/Mombasa — fly into Tsavo airstrips or drive en route to the coast.
What you'll see
Wildlife you can reasonably expect on a typical Tsavo East & West game drive.
- The famous red elephants of Tsavo
- Lion (including the legacy of the Tsavo man-eaters)
- Leopard, cheetah, lesser kudu, fringe-eared oryx
- Hippo and crocodile at Mzima Springs
Experiences here
Mzima Springs walk
Walk to the underwater viewing chamber to watch hippos from below.
Shetani lava flows
Walk the black volcanic landscape with the Chyulu Hills behind.
Sheldrick rhino sanctuary
Visit the Ngulia rhino sanctuary inside Tsavo West.
FAQ
Tsavo East & West — common questions
- East or West?
- East is bigger, drier, easier game viewing. West is more scenic with lava, springs and the Chyulus. We often combine both.
- Good for a coast trip?
- Yes — Tsavo is the perfect 2-night safari stop before or after Diani/Mombasa beaches.
Plan your Tsavo East & West safari
Tell us your dates and we'll send back a handcrafted itinerary, usually within 24 hours.
