Tsavo East National Park
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Kenya · National Park

Tsavo East National Park

Vast red-earth wilderness famous for its red elephants and the Yatta Plateau.

Distance from Nairobi
~240 km · 4 hrs drive from Nairobi (or towards the coast)
Park size
13,747 km²
Best time to visit
June–October · January–February
Famous for
Red-dust elephants · Yatta Plateau

About Tsavo East

One of the largest national parks in the world, Tsavo East is a true wilderness of open plains, scrub and the red volcanic soil that famously dusts its elephants a rusty red.

It is home to the Yatta Plateau, the world's longest lava flow, and the Lugard Falls on the Galana River, alongside some of Kenya's largest elephant herds.

Wildlife you'll see

The residents

Large elephant herds Lion Buffalo Giraffe Zebra Crocodile Hippo Diverse plains game
Top experiences

Things to do here

Red Elephants at Dawn

Meet Tsavo's rust-coloured tuskers on the Aruba plains in the first hour of light.

Lugard Falls & Galana River

Walk the water-carved rapids and watch for crocodile pods in the river below.

Yatta Plateau Drive

Trace the world's longest lava flow along the western boundary of the park.

Bush Picnic

Private, chef-prepared picnic under an acacia far from any other vehicle.

Sample Itinerary Highlight

A taste of Tsavo

Day 1
Nairobi → Tsavo East

Long, scenic transfer or short flight, lunch at your lodge and an evening drive to greet the red elephants.

Day 2
Galana River Loop

Full-day exploration of Lugard Falls, the Galana River and Yatta Plateau, with a bush picnic in between.

Design your journey

Ready for Tsavo?

One enquiry starts it all, we come back within a few hours with a tailored plan.