Tsavo East and West National Park

Home to the famous Man Eaters of Tsavo

Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national parks, located in the southeastern region of the country. Covering an area of over 22,000 square kilometers, it's divided into two sections: Tsavo East and Tsavo West, separated by the Nairobi–Mombasa highway and railway.

Tsavo East National Park

Size: Larger and flatter than the western part.
Landscape: Open savannah, semi-arid plains, and the Galana River.

Highlights:

Yatta Plateau – one of the world’s longest lava flows.
Lugard Falls – white-water rapids on the Galana River.
Mudanda Rock – a whale-backed rock that attracts elephants and other wildlife.
Red Elephants – famous for their red color caused by rolling in Tsavo’s red volcanic soil.

Tsavo West National Park

Size: Smaller but more dramatic in landscape.
Landscape: Rocky terrain, volcanic hills, and dense bush.

Highlights:

Mzima Springs – crystal-clear springs fed by underground rivers from Chyulu Hills.
Shetani Lava Flow – a vast black lava field.
Chaimu Crater – a volcanic cone ideal for hiking.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary – a protected area for endangered black rhinos.

Tsavo East

Distance:

The park Mtito Andei Gates is 233 km South of Nairobi and 250 km North of Mombasa on the main Nairobi- Mombasa Road.

By Train:

Easily accessible from both Nairobi and Mombasa via road or the SGR train.

By Road:

The main access routes are Nairobi-Mtito Andei: 233 km - Mtito Andei-Voi: 96 km - Voi-Mombasa: 153 km. From Malindi, take the western road (C103) and enter in the park via Sala gate.

Airstrips:

Voi, Aruba, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Sangayaya, Mopeo, Bachuma, Cottars,

Tsavo West

Distance:

240 km from Nairobi, 250km from Mombasa (Mtito Andei Gate).

Tsavo West

By air:

There are 3 airstrips in the park

Airstrips:

Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau,Finch Hottons, Ziwani, and Maktau airstrips are in good.

Gates:

Tsavo, Lake Jipe, Mtito Andei (Kamboyo HQ), Chyulu, Maktau and Ziwani.

Roads:

The main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi.

Visitors from Mombasa also use Tsavo Gate near Manyani.The Park can also be reached via Taveta - Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani and Jipe Gates.

Geography & Terrain

Tsavo East: Known for its flat, open plains, red soil, baobab trees, and the Yatta Plateau—the world’s longest lava flow (~300 km).

Tsavo West: More rugged and scenic, with volcanic hills, Mzima Springs, lava fields, and natural rock outcrops like Roaring Rocks.

Major rivers: Athi and Tsavo Rivers merge to form the Galana River, providing crucial water sources in an arid ecosystem.

Wildlife Highlights

Home to Kenya’s largest population of elephants, often covered in red dust from the iron-rich soil.
Hosts the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and black rhino.
Famous for the “Man-Eaters of Tsavo”—two male lions that attacked railway workers in 1898.
Rare species include:
Hirola antelope (critically endangered)
Lesser kudu
Gerenuk
Vulturine guineafowl

Birdlife:

Over 600 bird species including hornbills, starlings, sunbirds, eagles, and kingfishers.

Unique Tsavo Lions

Tsavo lions are famous for often lacking manes, especially males—possibly an adaptation to the region's heat.
The man-eating lions of 1898 are now displayed at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Conservation Importance

Tsavo is vital for elephant and rhino conservation in Kenya:

Contains ~40% of Kenya’s elephants.
18% of the country's black rhinos are protected here.
Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and supported by NGOs like Tsavo Trust.

Key conservation issues include: