Tsavo West National Park
- Region
Taita-Taveta County
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- About
Kenya's second-largest national park, about 9,065 km² in Taita-Taveta County, with the Big Five, more than 600 recorded bird species and a volcanic landscape of lava flows and springs.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Highlights
- Mzima Springs, where clear water rises from beneath lava rock
- The Shetani lava flow and its caves
- The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary
- Lake Jipe, shared with Tanzania, for birdwatching
- Poacher's Lookout and Roaring Rocks viewpoints
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
- Good for
- Safari
- Wildlife
- Photography
KenyaPlus categories. Dark: only here among these places.
- Suggested time
At least 2 days
Information status: UnconfirmedKenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
- Road time from Nairobi
~4½ h, about 270 km
Information status: EstimatedDriving time on the road route from openrouteservice (OpenStreetMap data, built 2026-10-24), plus 20% for stops, towns and slower traffic. Real times depend on road condition, traffic and the time of day. Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
- When to go
Long rains March–May (peak expected in April in 2026); short rains October–December.
Information status: EstimatedA summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
For Taita-Taveta County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 3rd to 4th week of October and continuing into January.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
- Entry fees
KenyaPlus holds a fee record — see Tsavo West National Park for figures and their label.
- Confirm before booking
- Which gate you will use — Mtito Andei on the Nairobi–Mombasa road, or Chyulu from Amboseli
- Visiting arrangements for the rhino sanctuary
- Road conditions inside the park after rain