Tsavo National Parks

​Named after the Tsavo River which runs west to east through the park, Tsavo is located in the south-east of Kenya near the border with Tanzania and relatively close to the Kenyan coastal resorts.

It is split into Tsavo West and Tsavo East by the main Mombasa to Nairobi highway.  The slightly larger Tsavo East is predominantly flat with dry plains, while Tsavo West is more mountainous and wetter than its counterpart.

Tsavo East is huge.  Nine times bigger than the Masai Mara.  It is famous for its large herds of dust-red elephants, cheetah and short-maned Tsavo lions.  Wildlife densities, however, are lower than in other areas of the country, so perhaps isn't a place to simply tick off the Big 5.

Tsavo West is dotted with volcanic hills, some of which are only 200 years old, and the topography of the park is in stark contrast to Tsavo East.  This hilly, wooded landscape can make game viewing a little tricky on occasion, but the wildlife is there is large numbers; particularly elephants and lion.  There is also a black rhino sanctuary and the birdlife is outstanding.

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  Finch Hattons, Tsavo West

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