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Location
Tsavo West National Park lies in Kenya’s Coast Province in the southwest of the country. It is divided from neighbouring Tsavo East National Park by the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa road and a railway line. The distance from Nairobi is approximately 168 miles by the A109.
Size
Tsavo West National Park covers around 3,000 square miles.
History
Dating back to the Stone Ages, Tsavo West National Park once enjoyed a thriving economy through the trade of ivory, cowry shells, animal skins and most likely slaves. In 1898 the construction of the Uganda Railway line took place, an event that led to what may be one of Tsavo West’s most famous tales. It is recorded that 28 men of African and Indian descent were stalked and killed by two maneless male lions, who were listed in history as the ‘Maneaters of Tsavo’. In 1963 the now called Kenya Wildlife Services took over management of the park, which remains one of Kenya’s most remarkable national parks to this day.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entry to Tsavo West National Park is USD52 per adult and USD35 per child.
Hours of Operation
The gates of Tsavo West National Park open at 6.30am and close at 7.00pm
By Road
Travelling from Nairobi, the drive takes between four and a half and five hours. The journey of 168 miles is along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway or A109. The drive takes five hours from Mombasa. Entry will be through any of the five gates: Tsavo gate, Mtito Andei gate, Chyulu gate, Ziwani gate and Maktau gate.
By Air
Guests of Tsavo West National Park can fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, the trip taking approximately one hour. There are various air strips visitors can land in, namely Tsavo gate airstrip, Ziwani airstrip, Kamboyo airstrip, Jipe airstrip, Kilaguni airstrip, Finch Hattons airstrip and Maktau airstrip.
Weather & Climate
The climate in Tsavo West National Park is mostly moderate in the dry, winter months from June to September, reaching a high of around 77F during the day, while summer days between December and early March can reach up to 90F. The short rains fall in November and December, with the longer rains prevailing in March and April.
Embarking on a safari in Tsavo West National Park can be enjoyed at any time of the year, the seasons presenting a variety of landscape features and wildlife wonders. For optimal game viewing, however, visiting in the winter months of June to August should be considered. The dry climate and short grass allows for easier animal spotting. Bird lovers will find Tsavo West National Park a bird watcher’s paradise when visiting in January and February.
Avoiding Crowds
Consider taking your Tsavo West National Park safari just before the busy winter season, June, offering mild temperatures and great game viewing without the crowds. September and October are wonderful times to be in Tsavo East, with fewer visitors around. Peak season travel is July and August, so planning to travel outside these months will see fewer safari vehicles on the Tsavo West plains.
Value for Money
Lodging ranges from comfortable tented camping to luxury lodges, all with access to the amazing wildlife that roam the diverse landscape of Tsavo West National Park. With a variety of accommodation options, easy access on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and proximity to Mombasa for a “beach & bush” combination, enjoying a safari at Tsavo West National Park definitely presents a value-for-money safari experience.
Read more on the Best time to visit Kenya.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Tsavo West National Park
Home to the “Big Five”, visitors have a fantastic chance of sighting predators such as lion and leopard, with buffalo, black rhino and elephant roaming the plains in search of food and shade. Plains game often seen on a safari include giraffe, zebra, gerenuk and the magnificent Kudu to name a few. A rich bird life is prevalent in the park with over 400 species of birds to be spotted, among them the Basra Reed Warbler, close to being on the endangered list.
The Terrain
The diverse landscape of Tsavo West National Park includes vast plains, swamp areas, rocky outcrops and volcanic craters. Its beautiful scenery creates the perfect backdrop for the variety of wildlife that traverse the land. Witness animals lazing near riverine or wandering through acacia woodlands.
Game Drives
Game drives in Tsavo West National Park are conducted in 4×4 safari vehicles, mostly closed with a pop-up roof, some more exclusive lodges and camps offering the safari experience in an open 4×4 vehicle. Guests usually head out before sunrise for a morning game drive and again in the late afternoon, stopping to capture an African sunset during your safari outing.
Guided Walking Safaris
Bush walks and nature hikes are possible within Tsavo West National Park, conducted under the guidance of qualified guides. Hike the hills of Chyulu and take in incredible views, or wander along river banks and admire your favourite animals in the distance while taking in the fascinating flora and fauna around you.
Guests looking to stay within the Tsavo West National Park have a choice when it comes to the style, size and location of their lodge or camp. Luxury tented camps offer an intimate stay, while larger lodges have a vibrant vibe, perhaps preferred by families and groups.
Tsavo West National Park Lodging – Distance from Park Entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge | 10 miles from the Mtito Andei Gate, travelling in an easterly direction |
| Voyager Ziwani Camp | 40 miles from the Mtito Andei Gate, travelling in a southerly direction |
| Severin Safari Camp | 17 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in an easterly direction |
| Sarova Salt Lick Safari Lodge | 20 miles from Mwakitau Gate in a northerly direction |
| Lionsbluff Lodge | 30 miles west of Voi |
| Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp | 34 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in an easterly direction |
| Maneaters Camp | 30 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in southerly direction |
Excursions to Local Villages
Visit local villages and support local communities through local product purchase and donations. Visit Voi Town and interact with locals during your visit.
Visits to Aruba Dam, Lugard Falls or Mubanda Rock
Enjoy an outing to beautiful sites and locations such as the Aruba Dam, situated on the Voi River or the Lugard Falls, formed where the Galana River splashes into a sparkling pool below. Walk up the Mubanda Rock to capture outstanding views across Tsavo East.
The best time to visit Tsavo West National Park is during the dry, winter season months between June and August. The temperatures are mild, the grass is low, and the park is alive with animal activity from sunrise to sunset. Birding enthusiasts will want to consider visiting Tsavo West National Park in January or February, when bird life is at its best.
The cost of a safari in Tsavo West National Park ranges from options within the park and some situated just outside. Pricing for a Tsavo West National Park safari ranges from USD500 per person sharing per night up to over, USD1000 per person sharing per night for the ultimate luxury safari experience.
The options from Nairobi are by road and by air. Taking the A109/Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, the drive will take approximately five hours. Guests from Mombasa will take the same highway, the journey taking just over five hours. A flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will take just under an hour.
The diverse landscape, which includes mountains, swamps and open plains, and dramatic scenery of Tsavo West make it a wonderful and key safari destination in Kenya. It is home to the “Big Five” and scenic points such as Poacher’s Lookout and Mzima Springs.
Predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah along with magnificent elephants and cheeky buffalo are a delight to spot on safari in the Tsavo West National Park. Look out for wild dog as you pass by favourites like giraffe and zebra grazing among the lesser kudu and other plains game.
The gates of the Tsavo West National Park open at 6.30am and close at 7pm every day.
It is advisable for visitors to pre-book their accommodation within or just outside the Tsavo West National Park to ensure their stay is guaranteed. A minimum of two nights should be considered to ensure you have at least one full day to enjoy the park.
A game drive in a 4×4 safari vehicle, either enclosed with a pop-up roof or an open vehicle, is one of the best ways to experience the wonders of Tsavo West National Park. Standing on viewpoints like Poacher’s Lookout will give you a 360 degree view of the park, while bush walks bring you closer to the flora, fauna and wildlife grazing nearby.
A variety of accommodation options can be found near the Tsavo West National Park. Discover Kilaguni Safari Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, Voyager Ziwani Camp, Salt Lick Safari Lodge and Lion’s Bluff Lodge.
Guests will eat at the lodge they are staying at as any major city or restaurant options will be located too far away, Nairobi and Mombasa the closest large cities.
Guests staying at Tsavo West National Park have the opportunity to visit the Mzima Springs, natural springs found below the Chyula Hills. The Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy is located nearby and offers visitors the chance to see animals such as hartebeest, Maasai giraffe and predators such as leopards and lions.
The 3 day / 2 nights Masai Mara safari tour drives from Nairobi with a stop to view the Great Rift Valley escarpment and also via scenic Kenyan & Masai landscape.
From Nairobi to Nairobi
Tour includes:2-day Masai Mara game reserve tour on a road safari with intensive game viewing drives in search of the Big five.
From Nairobi to Nairobi
Tour includes:Amboseli 2 day safari tour on a wildlife trip departing from Nairobi.
From Nairobi to Nairobi
Tour includes:<p>Tour the <a href=”https://www.naturaltoursandsafaris.com/amboseli-national-park/”>Amboseli</a> & <a href=”https://www.naturaltoursandsafaris.com/tsavo-west-national-park/”>Tsavo West National parks</a> and visit <a href=”https://www.naturaltoursandsafaris.com/tsavo-east-national-park/”>Tsavo East</a> in a 4 days safari trip leaving from Nairobi Book the progressive road safari package especially if you intend to finish at the <a href=”https://www.naturaltoursandsafaris.com/experience/beach”>Kenya coast beach resorts</a>. Tour spends a night each at the Amboseli, Tsavo West & Tsavo East. Game viewing drives in search of wildlife, sightseeing and cultural encounters fill up the safari days.</p>
From Nairobi to Mombasa
Tour includes:This 3-day, 2-night safari offers the best of Kenya’s two premier parks. Enjoy your own private safari tour experiencing wildlife, a rhino sanctuary and the crocodiles of Mzima springs.
From Nairobi to Mombasa
Tour includes:Visit the elephant herds of Amboseli National Park and Kenya’s crown jewel: Tsavo East. This is Kenya’s largest park – here you’ll feast your eyes on a fantastic variety of wildlife.
From Nairobi to Mombasa
Tour includes:Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s largest and is known for its wonderful diversity of wildlife. Famous for the Tsavo lions, there are close to 700 in this ecosystem. This action-packed day trip is a dawn to dusk experience. Prepare to spend at least 6 hours viewing spectacular wildlife and colourful landscapes.
From Mombasa to Mombasa
Tour includes:From the Kenya coast you’ll travel by air to the Masai Mara on this 2-day, 1-night fly-in safari. Stay at a camp or lodge of your choice.
From Beach to Beach
This is a 4 day wildlife tour exploring the Tsavo West National park, Amboseli National Park & Tsavo East National Park while providing insights into amazing wildlife, scenery and local cultures.
From Mombasa to Mombasa
Tour includes:A 3-day safari at two of Kenya’s most famous parks – Tsavo West & Amboseli.
Tsavo West is immense and its great plains are filed with herds of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino.
Perhaps no park features as many elephants as Amboseli. Set against the backdrop of world-famous Kilimanjaro, sunsets here are spectacular.
You will spend a night at each park with plenty of time for game drives.
Mombasa - Tsavo West - Amboseli - Nairobi
Tour includes:Classic Kenya safari on a 9 day Mombasa to Nairobi tour visiting Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, Lakes Nakuru & Masai Mara.
From Mombasa to Nairobi
Tour includes:During this 3-day safari you’ll experience the best of these two wildlife-filled parks. Tsavo East is wild and dry but has some of the finest game viewing because of its sparser foliage. In Amboseli National Park you can get up close to great herds of elephants. Plus, you’ll be at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro for stunning views of Africa’s highest peak. The tour features overnight stays at both parks
From Mombasa to Nairobi
Tour includes:This dawn to dusk tour will give you a full day of game viewing.
In Kenya’s largest national park, you’ll be on the lookout for elephants, lions, leopards and other wildlife including many bird species.
Tsavo East is a beautiful park and you’ll have time to appreciate its stunning panoramas.
Tsavo East overnight tour exploring the largest and one of the finest wildlife park in Kenya. Unlimited game viewing drives in search of Elephants, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Cheetah, Warthog and more animal species.
FROM BEACH TO BEACH
Tour includes:Safari tour visits combined Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks on a 2 day tour.
Safari tour visits combined Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks on a 2 day tour. More Opportunities to explore the sprawling red soil plains of the Tsavo East and the scenic landscape terrain of the Tsavo West National parks.
2 NATIONAL PARKS, FROM BEACH TO BEACH
Tour includes:This is a 5 day wildlife tour exploring the Tsavo West National park, Amboseli National Park & Tsavo East National Park while providing insights into amazing wildlife, scenery and local cultures.
The 6 days safari explores the plains of the Tsavo East & tours Amboseli national park with views of the Mount Kilimanjaro.
7 Days Kenya holiday safari visiting class “A” national parks and game reserves of the Tsavo East, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara.
2-day Masai Mara game reserve tour on a road safari with intensive game viewing drives in search of the Big five. Transport to the Masai Mara including game viewing drives is in private pop up top safari minivan or 4×4 Land Cruiser jeep.
FROM NAIROBI TO NAIROBI
Tour includes:Nairobi Masai Mara Game reserve safari proceeding by road via the great rift valley escarpment and scenic masai country. A Kenya safari tour rich in diversity and which offers unlimited game viewing opportunities in private safari minibuses or 4 x 4 cruisers. The Masai Mara Kenya safari tour is themed on scenery, wildlife and masai culture. We start from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The safari drive is via the Nairobi suburbs, past tea and coffee plantations, the Great rift valley escarpment and through masai country.
FROM NAIROBI TO NAIROBI
Tour includes:The 4 day & 3 night Masai Mara safari is designed for those with ample safari time and those that may prefer a more relaxed or detailed Masai Mara experience or have more more appetite for game viewing drives…!
NAIROBI TO NAIROBI
Tour includes:A relaxing holiday at Kenya’s premier beach resort of Diani is inviting especially at the end of a bumpy and dusty Kenya wildlife safari tour
Enjoy a holiday within a holiday! Take time off from your vacation in Nairobi for 4-days and 3-nights in exotic Zanzibar.
The tour is a retreat excursion to the timeless allure of Lamu island from Nairobi Kenya
The 3 days Lamu archipelago flight excursion flies into Lamu’s Manda Island’s airstrip from Nairobi Wilson airport
Ngulia safari Lodge was built in 1969 and is located in Tsavo West National Park which is a home to a big host of wild animals.
Rhino Valley Lodge is located in Tsavo West National Park with 6 standard rooms, 10 luxury rock rooms and a campsite for discering traveller.
Amidst miles of lion-stalked grasslands, elephant studded plains and wildlife-teemingbush, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge has been designed to blend into the savanna landscape
Being connected with the great Kenyan wild nature, experience the unique play of colours of dawn and dusk, listening to the voices of the wilderness, being at peace with yourself – all this and so much more is offered by Severin Safari Camp
With a spectacular view of mystical Mount Kilimanjaro, and easy access to the wild attractions of Tsavo West National Park, Voyager Ziwani offers a tranquil retreat in one of the wildest places left on Earth
For decades Salt Lick Safari Lodge has been one of Kenya’s flagship lodges, famed for being among the World’s Most Photographed Lodges
Secluded and exclusive, Lions Bluff is suspended above an ancient elephant migratory corridor, with stunning panoramic views extending across the Lumo Community Sanctuary and the Tsavo eco-system to the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro.
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season (December– February and June - August) when conditions are especially good for trekking to view mountain gorillas. Game drives in the national parks are also fruitful during this time.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Uganda safari. Dress in layers and bring a warm sweater for morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sunhat and gardening gloves are also a good idea; the jungle is dense and thick.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda with basic accommodations starting at $96 per person, per day, plus the Uganda gorilla trekking permit which costs $700 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips range from $10 to $20 per person per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
If you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek in Uganda, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas or in regions close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Uganda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Uganda live at between 4,900 to 7,500 feet. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the country’s mountain gorillas, has a high point of 8,550ft.
The best time to go on a gorilla trek in Rwanda is during the dry season (June - September) when conditions are best for trekking to view the country’s highlight: the fascinating mountain gorillas.
Wear neutral colored, lightweight clothing on your Rwanda gorilla trek. Dress in layers and don’t forget a sweater for chilly morning and nighttime game drives. For gorilla trekking, bring a waterproof rain jacket, broken-in hiking boots, long socks, hiking pants, bug repellant, and a daypack. A sun visor and protective gloves – such as gardening gloves - are also useful.
Natural World Kenya Safaris offers Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda with basic accommodations starting at $720 per person, per day, plus the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit which costs $1,500 per person per day (the permits are required, and those fees are non-negotiable.) Costs increase from there.
Natural World Safaris can provide basic, mid-range, and luxury trekking safaris and is eager to work with almost any budget.
Suggested tips for your guide are $25 per person, per day for a private guide and the same amount for your driver if that is a different person than your guide.
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa, particularly if you are on a guided safari or gorilla trek. Your chances of encountering problems are minimal. However, it is always a good idea to take precautions on your safari, particularly when traveling through urban areas. Cross-border travel into the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi is not safe, however, so steer clear of this.
The trek to spot gorillas can be strenuous. It could take anywhere from two to eight hours to find and observe the gorillas, depending on the time of year. Be prepared to hike for multiple hours through uneven terrain at high altitude. It is advisable to train before any gorilla trekking trip by walking uphill, or better yet, by taking day hikes.
When it comes to wildlife viewing, there are never any guarantees. There are no fences in the parks in Rwanda and the gorillas are free to roam. However, our expert guides and gorilla trackers have years of experience taking guests to see these magnificent creatures. They know their favorite spots to congregate and work closely with park officials each day to provide the best possible chance of seeing gorillas in the wild.
Most mountain gorillas in Rwanda live at between 8,000 to 13,000 feet. Volcanoes National Park has a high point of 15,000ft.
Contact us for more information
For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.
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