Tsavo East National Park – Kenya
It takes up about 5300 square miles of land in the park.
History
In the mid-600s, traders used the area, but it wasn’t until 1949 that the A109 was built and the Tsavo National Park was officially split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The park is one of the biggest in Kenya, along with Tsavo West. The park is named for the Tsavo River, which runs through it from west to east.
Fees and permits to get in
People who just want to visit Tsavo East for the day or who stay at one of the park’s camps or hotels have to pay about USD$60 per person per day to get in.
When they are open
On weekdays, the park is open from 6 am to 6 pm.
How to Get There
By Road
From Nairobi, you can take a Safari Jeep or a planned transfer. The drive is 230 miles and takes about six hours. Guests will be taken along the Uhuru Highway in the southeast, where it will finally connect with the A104/Mombasa Road. It takes about three hours to drive from Mombasa, which is 125 miles away.
By Air
It takes an hour and a half to get from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to Tsavo East National Park, and thirty minutes to get from Mombasa. There are two airports in Tsavo West that guests can use to get to their lodge or camp in Tsavo East National Park. They are Voi Airport and Finch Hattons Airstrips. The transfers take three hours.
By Train
This is a cool way to get from Nairobi or Mombasa to somewhere else. From Nairobi to Mombasa, the Madaraka Express ride will take about two hours and forty-five minutes. From Mombasa, it will take about one and a half hours. When the train arrives at the Vol Terminal, people from different hotels and camps will meet guests and take them to their accommodations.
Best Time to Visit
Climate and weather
Go on a safari in Tsavo East in the winter. The air is dry, the temperatures are cooler, and there isn’t much foliage, so it’s easy to see animals. The winter months are June, July, and August. The nights and early mornings can be cool, but the days are generally warm.
Staying away from crowds
People from all over the world come on vacation during the busy season. This could mean a lot of cars going on game runs or maybe a lot of cars around a key sighting. Many fewer cars are in the parks and forests during the “green” or “low season” times to visit. These times also bring amazing wildlife events and experiences, like birthing season or the great migration.
Good Value for Money
If you travel outside of High or Peak Season, you can still get a good trip for less money. Guides who are qualified know the parks and reserves’ paths and walks inside and out, and they can show visitors where the animals will be at that time of year.
Wildlife & Landscape
Wildlife Sightings People Love in Tsavo East
Because the ground in Tsavo East National Park is red, the park is known for its “Red Elephants.” The Dik-Dik, the Lesser Kudu, the Gerenuk, and the Porcupine are some other animals that are often seen in the park. In Tsavo East National Park, more than 500 different kinds of birds have been seen.
The Ground
Most of Tsavo East National Park is flat, with savanna and fields all over the place. There are acacia trees and some rocky spots all over the place. The Lugard Falls and the Yatta Plateau are two of the most important parts of the park. One great place to see a lot of wildlife is the Aruba Dam.
Safari Experiences
Game Drives
More and more people go on game drives in Tsavo East National Park early in the morning, all day, or late in the afternoon to see wildlife. These activities can be done in an open vehicle, which some hotels offer, or in a closed 4×4 vehicle with big windows for the best views.
Safaris with a guide
A organized walking safari is something that you can do in Tsavo East National Park. This will mostly happen along the Galana River, and a trained safari leader will be in charge.
Lodges & Camps
There are many types of safari housing in Tsavo East, from Colonial-style homes to cozy chalet-style rooms and fancy tented camps. There are also public camping areas, and all of the lodging is conveniently placed in the middle of the park, making it easy to see animals.
Tsavo East Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Satao Camp | 27 miles from Voi Gate (south-west of park), travelling east inside the Tsavo East |
| Sentrim Tsavo East | 7.5 miles from Voi Gate travelling east ; 85 miles from the center of Tsavo East National Park |
| Ashnil Aruba Lodge | 17 miles from Voi Gate, travelling east inside the Tsavo East Park |
| Ngutuni Safari Lodge | 9 miles from Voi Gate, travelling south next the Tsavo East Park in a conservancy |
| Voi Safari Lodge | 2.4 miles from Voi Gate, travelling east inside the Tsavo East Park |
| Voi Wildlife Lodge | 1.5 miles from Voi Gate, travelling south inside the Tsavo East Park |
| Galana Crocodile Camp | 53 miles from Voi Gate, travelling east inside the Tsavo East Park |
