Background
By far the biggest of Kenya’s national parks, Tsavo East covers more than 13,700 km²,
making it nine times larger than the Maasai Mara. The park is probably best known for its enormous herds of red elephants that dust themselves with the red-oxide soil so typical of
Tsavo. Other species to be on the lookout for are the endemic desert warthog, hirola (also
known as Hunter’s hartebeest), and Peter’s Gazelle.
Tsavo East has spectacular scenery, including Lugards Falls on the Galana River, the Mudanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau – the world’s largest lava flow. The scrubby vegetation and hillsides of the southern section of Tsavo East are home to large numbers of animals, especially along the rivers where the animals gather to drink. This section of Tsavo National Park is rarely visited by tourists, offering a truly remote and untouched Tsavo safari.
Best Time to Visit Tsavo
The best time for safari in Tsavo is from June to October and from January to February. Tsavo experiences a dry climate during these months with animals found near waterholes. The wet seasons November and April to May is not the time ideal time to visit the park due to dense vegetation. You can visit the national park at any period of time except for the wet seasons to spot the majority of animals dwelling.
Things to do in Tsavo
Sunrise Game Drives
Set off on a game drive across the wilderness and you’ll go hours without seeing another vehicle. Dust-red elephants grace the journey, thousands of them rumbling across Kenya’s largest national park. Game drives take place at different times of the day such as morning game drives, evening game drives, full-day game drives, and night game drives. Night game drives offer a chance to see the nocturnal animals and also predators as they hunt.
Birding
Bird watching at Tsavo is definitely the best experience, especially during the migratory season between October and January.
Other experiences
- Camping safaris
- Walking safaris
