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Taita-Taveta County

Tsavo West National Park

Information status: Verified
Green plains with scattered pools and bushes in Tsavo West National Park, with blue hills on the horizon

About Tsavo West National Park

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: Verified

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: Verified

Suggested time

At least 2 days

Information status: Unconfirmed

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

KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.

When to go

Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Tsavo West National Park, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.

  1. January: between the rains.
  2. February: between the rains.
  3. March: long rains.
  4. April: long rains, expected peak.
  5. May: long rains.
  6. June: between the rains.
  7. July: between the rains.
  8. August: between the rains.
  9. September: between the rains.
  10. October: short rains.
  11. November: short rains.
  12. December: short rains.
  • Long rains
  • Short rains
  • Between the rains
  • Expected peak (2026 outlook)
Information status: Estimated

Forecast: October–December 2026

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: Verified
Kenya's rainy seasons

More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.

Park entry fees

Information status: Verified

Tsavo West National Park — daily entry

Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.

Tsavo West National Park — daily entry: fees by visitor category
VisitorAdultChild
East African citizenKES 1,000KES 500
Kenya residentKES 1,350KES 675
African citizenUSD 40USD 20
Non-resident / foreign visitorUSD 80USD 40

Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.

  • Same rates as Tsavo East. KWS also sells combined Tsavo and Amboseli packages at different rates.
  • Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
  • Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
  • Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
  • Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.

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Sources

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