Mzima Springs
Watch hippos and fish through the glass of an underwater viewing chamber at these crystal-clear springs, one of Kenya's most unusual wildlife experiences.
Kenya National Parks
Tsavo West National Park
Black lava flows, crystal-clear springs alive with hippos, and wild volcanic hills with Kilimanjaro on the horizon: Tsavo West is rugged, beautiful and gloriously uncrowded.
- Location
- About 240 km southeast of Nairobi
- Known For
- Mzima Springs & lava landscapes
- Area
- About 9,065 km²
- Best Time
- June – October, January – February
Discover Tsavo West
Wild volcanic country in the land of the man-eaters.
Located in southwestern Kenya, Tsavo West National Park is one of the country's finest and most rewarding destinations. Famously known as the land of the man-eaters, it covers a total area of about 9,065 km² and is among the oldest national parks in Kenya, established in 1948 when the vast Tsavo wilderness was divided into East and West.
Tsavo West is a land of contrasts: rugged volcanic landscapes, expansive plains, sun-drenched savannas and grand views of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Its geology is as dramatic as its wildlife. The Shetani lava flow and the Shetani caves were formed by relatively recent volcanic activity, and the crystal-clear pools of Mzima Springs bubble up from underground water filtered through the porous lava of the Chyulu Hills.
Add the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, vibrant wildlife species, superb birdlife and picturesque plains, and Tsavo West offers a wilder, more varied safari than many better-known parks, with far fewer vehicles.
Why Tsavo West
Volcanic drama and true wilderness.
Tsavo West rewards travellers who love landscapes as much as wildlife, with springs, lava fields, hills and rhinos all in one park.
Shetani Lava Flow & Caves
Walk on a vast black lava field and peer into the Shetani caves, a striking reminder of the volcanic forces that shaped the park.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
A protected sanctuary at the foot of the Ngulia Hills that offers a chance to see endangered black rhinos.
Kilimanjaro Views
From many viewpoints and lodges, the snowy summit of Kilimanjaro appears across the plains on clear mornings.
Space and Solitude
At more than 9,000 km², Tsavo West gives you room to explore without crowds, ideal for travellers seeking a wilder safari.
Excellent Birding
Varied habitats from riverine forest to lava scrub make the park a rewarding birding destination, especially when migrants pass through.
Location
Where is Tsavo West National Park?
Tsavo West lies in southwestern Kenya, west of the Nairobi–Mombasa highway and the railway. The main Mtito Andei gate is about 240 km from Nairobi, a drive of roughly 4 hours, while the coast at Mombasa is around 250 km to the southeast. The park borders Tsavo East across the highway and adjoins the Chyulu Hills to the northwest, with Amboseli a few hours' drive to the west.
From Tanzania, Tsavo West is closer than many expect: the Holili–Taveta border near Moshi gives access to the park's southern side and Lake Jipe, making a journey from Arusha of about 4 to 5 hours including formalities. Many travellers also reach it via Amboseli after crossing at Namanga. Airstrips in the park serve charter flights from Nairobi.
When to visit
Tsavo West through the seasons.
Tsavo West is open all year. The dry months bring wildlife to the water, while the rains turn the volcanic hills a surprising green.
Long Dry Season
The best time for game viewing, with animals gathering at springs, rivers and waterholes and thinner vegetation making them easier to spot.
Short Rains
Short showers green the landscape and huge numbers of migratory birds pass through the Ngulia Hills.
Short Dry Season
Hot, mostly dry days with good wildlife viewing and lush surroundings after the short rains.
Long Rains
The wettest months, with dense vegetation, fewer visitors and some tracks that can become difficult.
What is the best month to visit Tsavo West?
The dry seasons are best for wildlife, but every month offers its own rewards in this vast and varied park.
Warm and fairly dry, with green hills and good wildlife viewing at the springs.
Hot and dry, one of the best months for clear Kilimanjaro views and game drives.
Long rains begin, bringing dramatic skies and fresh grazing.
Usually the wettest month, with lush scenery and very few vehicles.
Rains ease and the park is at its greenest, with good birding.
The dry season begins and animals start to gather near permanent water.
Excellent game viewing as the bush thins and wildlife concentrates.
Dry and rewarding, ideal for Mzima Springs and the rhino sanctuary.
Prime season, with wildlife reliably found near springs and rivers.
Hot and dry, with strong concentrations of game before the rains.
Short rains return and migratory birds stream through the Ngulia Hills.
Green and lively, with good birding and a quieter atmosphere.
Explore the area
Discover the faces of Tsavo West.
From springs and lava fields to hills and lakes, Tsavo West's landscapes change at every turn.
Northern Tsavo WestMzima SpringsCrystal-clear pools fed by underground water from the Chyulu Hills, with an underwater hide for watching hippos and fish, and walking paths shaded by palms.
NorthwestShetani Lava Flow & CavesA vast black lava field and caves formed by volcanic eruptions, whose name comes from the Swahili for devil, an eerie and fascinating landscape.
Central Tsavo WestNgulia Hills & Rhino SanctuarySteep hills rising above the plains, with a fenced sanctuary protecting black rhinos at their foot.
Central Tsavo WestChaimu Crater & Roaring RocksVolcanic viewpoints with sweeping views across the plains, where you can look out for wildlife and birds of prey.
Southern Tsavo WestLake JipeA quiet lake on the Tanzanian border beneath Kilimanjaro and the Pare Mountains, with hippos, crocodiles and excellent birdlife.
Wildlife
Rhinos, hippos and wildlife adapted to volcanic country.
Tsavo West supports vibrant wildlife species across its varied habitats. Elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards and cheetahs share the park with giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, hartebeest and dry-country specialists such as the lesser kudu and gerenuk. Black rhinos are protected in the Ngulia sanctuary, while hippos and crocodiles live in the springs, rivers and Lake Jipe.
Birdlife is outstanding, with hundreds of species recorded. Each year, around the end of the year, the Ngulia Hills are known for great numbers of migrating birds passing through on misty nights, making the area important for bird research.
12 animals to look for
Elephant
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Plains, rivers and around Mzima Springs
Tsavo's elephants are famous for the red dust that often coats their hides.
1 / 12
Black rhino
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Endangered and shy, but the sanctuary offers a real chance of a sighting.
2 / 12
Lion
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Plains and bush throughout the park
Descendants of the legendary Tsavo lions, males here often have short or sparse manes.
3 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Rocky hills and riverine woodland
Present across the park, especially in rocky areas, but elusive.
4 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Near water and in thicker bush
Herds are found around springs, rivers and swamps.
5 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Mzima Springs and Lake Jipe
Best watched from the underwater hide at Mzima Springs.
6 / 12
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Mzima Springs, rivers and Lake Jipe
Large crocodiles lurk in the clear waters of the springs.
7 / 12
Lesser kudu
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Dense bush and thickets
A shy, beautifully striped antelope of dry country.
8 / 12
Gerenuk
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Dry bush
Stands on its hind legs to browse, a dry-country speciality.
9 / 12
Masai giraffe
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Acacia woodland
Seen browsing on acacia across the park.
10 / 12
Fringe-eared oryx
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open dry plains
A striking long-horned antelope of arid country.
11 / 12
Hornbill
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Woodland and around lodges
Red-billed and yellow-billed hornbills are among the many easily seen birds.
12 / 12
Mzima Springs
A window into an underwater world.
Mzima Springs is the jewel of Tsavo West. Rainwater falling on the Chyulu Hills seeps through the porous volcanic rock and emerges here as crystal-clear pools, an oasis in the dry bush. Hippos glide along the bottom, crocodiles bask on the banks and shoals of fish drift in the current.
A submerged glass viewing chamber lets you watch this underwater world at eye level, while shaded walking trails lead you along the banks among palms, monkeys and birdlife. It is one of the most memorable stops on any Kenya safari.
Safaris to 中文
Tours that include Tsavo West
Itineraries that include Tsavo West, often combined with Amboseli, Tsavo East and the Kenyan coast.
Tanzania · 1 day
Lake Jipe Day Trip
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 11 days
11-Day Kenya Elephant Odyssey: Echoes of the Giants
Amboseli · Tsavo West · Tsavo East
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Kenya · 15 days
15-Day Kenya Road Trip: The Magical Kenya Wildlife Odyssey
Samburu National Reserve · Ol Pejeta Conservancy · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania & Kenya · 13 days
13-Day Kenya & Tanzania: The Spirit of African Safari
Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Amboseli
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Tsavo West.
Tsavo became world famous in 1898, when two maneless lions attacked workers building the Uganda Railway bridge over the Tsavo River, halting construction for months. Their story, retold in books and films, gave the area its name as the land of the man-eaters. During the First World War, the region also saw fighting between British and German forces along the border.
Tsavo was gazetted as a national park in 1948 and divided into East and West for easier management. In the decades that followed, Tsavo's elephants and rhinos suffered heavily from poaching, prompting major conservation efforts. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary was created to protect the remaining black rhinos, and today rangers, researchers and communities work together to safeguard this vast wilderness.
Why is Tsavo called the land of the man-eaters?
In 1898 two lions killed railway workers building a bridge over the Tsavo River, a story that made the area famous worldwide.
What is special about Mzima Springs?
Crystal-clear springs fed by water from the Chyulu Hills, where an underwater viewing chamber lets you watch hippos and fish.
How far is Tsavo West from Nairobi?
The Mtito Andei gate is about 240 km from Nairobi, or around 4 hours by road.
Can I reach Tsavo West from Arusha?
Yes. The Holili–Taveta border near Moshi gives access to the south of the park, and many travellers also combine it with Amboseli via Namanga.
Can I see rhinos in Tsavo West?
Black rhinos are protected in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. They are shy, so sightings are possible but not guaranteed.
Are night game drives or walks possible?
Guided nature walks are offered at some sites such as Mzima Springs, and some lodges arrange night game drives where permitted.
Should I visit Tsavo West or Tsavo East?
Tsavo West is hillier and more varied with springs and lava flows; Tsavo East is flatter and wilder. Many safaris include both.
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