Tsavo National Park is located in southern Kenya. It is divided into two sections - Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park.
Tsavo East National Park covers an area of just over 900 square miles (2,360 square km). It is home to various wildlife including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and over 400 different types of birds.
Tsavo West National Park covers an area of approximately 800 square miles (2,069 square km). Some of the key attractions in Tsavo West include its scenery of rocky cliffs and rolling plains. Wildlife found here includes large herds of elephants, huge crocodiles in the Galana River, and over 450 bird species.
Together, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks form Kenya's largest national park, known as the Tsavo National Park. The total combined size of the two parks is over 3,000 square miles (7,800 square km), making it one of the largest national parks in the world.
Tsavo National Park Solo Safari Packages
Tsavo East and West National Parks provide options for solo travelers interested in experiencing the parks' wildlife and scenery.
Short-duration guided tours of half a day or less can be done individually, allowing those traveling alone to learn about the environment and spot animals from safari vehicles. For safety, the tours stick to main roads and maintain small group sizes.
While not allowing for as in-depth of experiences as multi-day packages, the abbreviated solo tours provide a means for independent visitors with limited time or budgets to access the landscapes and biodiversity protected within Tsavo National Park.
Tsavo East National Park Accommodation
The budget-friendly Ngulia Safari Lodge and Tsavo Mashariki Camp offer basic bungalow rooms and camping sites near Voi Gate. Mid-range options like Kempinski Tsavo Mashariki Lodge and Taita Hills Lodge have rooms with more amenities situated further in the park.
For a more luxurious experience, the refurbished Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge has tented cottages next to a watering hole.
For ultra-seclusion, the exclusive bush camp MbuMbu is situated deep in the wilderness. All lodges can arrange game drives, guided walks, and safaris within Tsavo East.
Tsavo West National Park Accommodation
Accommodation options within Tsavo West National Park allow visitors to wake up surrounded by wilderness. Basic camping is available at public campsites like Kirindi. Near the Mzima Springs area, budget rooms can be found at Ngulia Lodge.
Further inland is Little Governors' Camp with comfortable tents. Luxury is provided by Finch Hatton's wilderness camp or Kilanguni Serena Safari Lodge on the northern boundary.
For luxury, the tented camps of Campi ya Kanzi, Satao Elerai, and Sala's Camp offer spectacular views and guided activities.
Like in Tsavo East, all lodges provide safari activities and packages exploring the habitats of Tsavo West.
Which Park is Better: Tsavo East or West?
There is no definitive answer as to whether Tsavo East or Tsavo West is the “better” park, as they each offer unique attractions.
Tsavo East is heavy for its large elephant herds and extensive river systems that are home to hippos. The park’s eastern section also tends to see denser wildlife concentrations.
However, Tsavo West dazzles with more dramatic scenery including distant views of the Chyulu Hills. Its rivers flow through oasis-like forests lined with doum palms.
Wildlife such as crocodiles and resident lion prides are also prominent in the West. Ultimately, many recommend multi-day itineraries that combine both parks to fully experience the variety of landscapes and animals across Tsavo National Park.
Tsavo National Park Charges
Both Tsavo East and West National Parks are managed under a unified fee structure by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The standard daily entrance fees are KES 1,500 (roughly US$13) for residents and KES 1,800 (around US$16) for non-residents.
Children under 16 enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Entrance permits are purchased on-site at park headquarters upon arrival.
Payment is accepted in cash only. The permits allow 24-hour access to both parks, encouraging travelers to explore the full expanse of Tsavo National Park during their visit.
Final Thoughts
Both Tsavo East and West National Parks offer world-class wildlife viewing and magnificent scenery. Together, they comprise the largest protected area in Kenya and allow visitors to experience different ecosystems across a vast swathe of wilderness.
Whether one chooses the elephant herds and rivers of the East or the sweeping views and resident lions of the West depends on personal interests. But to truly appreciate the full splendor of Tsavo, multiple days of experiencing both sections is ideal.
Whenever you’re ready, many lodges and tour operators provide all-inclusive safari packages covering accommodation, meals, activities, and transportation between the twin reserves.
