Destination guide
Tsavo West: Mzima Springs, lava and rhinos
Reviewed 24 Oct 2026 · Each statement is labelled.
The park
Tsavo West covers about 9,065 km² in Taita-Taveta County in south-eastern Kenya, making it the second-largest national park in Kenya.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Tsavo East and Tsavo West were gazetted as national parks in 1948 and are managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Source: Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
The Kenya Wildlife Service lists the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — and the critically endangered hirola among the park's wildlife, with over 600 bird species recorded.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
What to see
At Mzima Springs, clear water wells up from beneath the lava rock in great volumes.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
The Shetani lava flow and its caves can be explored, and Poacher's Lookout and Roaring Rocks give wide views over the park.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary is described by the Kenya Wildlife Service as the largest rhino sanctuary in the world.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Lake Jipe, on the border with Tanzania, is rich in aquatic life and popular for birdwatching. The Five Sisters volcanic hills make a backdrop for wildlife photography.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Getting there
Mtito Andei Gate is about 240 km from Nairobi and 250 km from Mombasa by road. From Amboseli, the park is reached through Chyulu Gate.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
The Kenya Wildlife Service also lists the Standard Gauge Railway to Mtito Andei station as a way in.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Not every Madaraka Express train stops at every station, so check that your train calls at Mtito Andei and arrange a pick-up with your camp.
KenyaPlus planning advice, not from an official source.
Tsavo West sits between Amboseli and Tsavo East, so it fits naturally into a southern safari circuit.
KenyaPlus planning advice, not from an official source.
Road times
The table below shows KenyaPlus estimates to one point in the north of the park. Tsavo West is very large, so the drive to your camp may be longer.
Worked out as described under the table: from openrouteservice road routes plus an allowance for stops where KenyaPlus holds them, otherwise straight-line distance × 1.3 at an assumed 50 km/h average, including stops. Times run to an approximate point in the north of the park.
| To | From Nairobi | From Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | — | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Maasai Mara | ~5 h | ~11½ h (too far for one day) |
| Amboseli | ~4½ h | ~6½ h (long day) |
| Diani Beach | ~7 h (long day) | ~½ h |
| Mombasa | ~6½ h (long day) | — |
| Naivasha | ~1½ h | ~8 h (long day) |
| Lake Nakuru | ~2½ h | ~9 h (long day) |
| Tsavo East | ~5½ h | ~3 h |
| Samburu | ~5½ h | ~12 h (too far for one day) |
| Lamu | ~10 hto Mokowe + boat (too far for one day) | ~5½ hto Mokowe + boat |
| Mount Kenya | ~3 h | ~9½ h (too far for one day) |
| Malindi | ~9 h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Watamu | ~8½ h (long day) | ~2 h |
| Aberdare National Park | ~4 h | ~10½ h (too far for one day) |
| Lake Bogoria | ~4½ h | ~11 h (too far for one day) |
| Kakamega Forest | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Tsavo West National Park | ~4½ h | ~4½ h |
| Meru National Park | ~6 h (long day) | ~12½ h (too far for one day) |
| Shimba Hills National Reserve | ~11½ h (too far for one day) | ~1 h |
| Mount Elgon National Park | ~6½ h (long day) | ~13 h (too far for one day) |
Driving time on the road route plus 20% for stops and slower traffic (Road routes © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors). Orange: a long day (over 6 h). Red: too far for one day (over 9 h).
Confirm before you travel
- Park entry fees and payment methods with the Kenya Wildlife Service
- Which gate is closest to your camp, and road conditions inside the park
- Visiting arrangements for the rhino sanctuary
- Train times if you're arriving at Mtito Andei
Ready to plan?
Turn this into a day-by-day plan and run the Trip Reality Check.
Sources
- Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) — About Tsavo West National Park (checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) — Tsavo National Parks (Tsavo East and Tsavo West) (checked 16 Oct 2026)