Apart from being the largest game reserve in Kenya, Tsavo National Park is also the second oldest after the Nairobi National Park. Tsavo’s immense size endows it with an extensive range of activities and attractions for you to enjoy.

The vastness of the park means longer game drives. And boy-oh-boy, there’s plenty of game for your viewing! In fact, among the wildlife present in Tsavo National Park are all constituents of the African big 5 – elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, and rhinos. The park is split into two: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. Jointly, they form the Great Tsavo National Park which stretches over 22,000 square kilometers.

Tsavo National Park Safari with Gemini Expeditions

This Gemini Expeditions safari in Tsavo National Park comes with the Standard Gauge Railway experience. Your journey starts with a scenic train journey from Nairobi or Mombasa to Voi. It’s followed by comprehensive jungle safaris, where you’ll get to view descendants of the man eaters of Tsavo. Your three-day Tsavo National Park safari is capped off with another SGR Kenya train back to Nairobi or Mombasa.

Want a fully private Tsavo National Park safari that doesn’t include travel by train? Check out our private safari to Tsavo National Park in a tour van or a Land Cruiser.

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Overview

Itinerary

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FAQs

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

In the South Eastern part of Kenya, near the coastal province; lies an expanse of rugged, semi-arid terrain called Tsavo National Park. From space, this wilderness is carpeted with grassland dotted with acacia trees and spectacular rocky hills. The hills are a result of the volcanic activity that birthed the great Yatta plateau.

The park is named after the great Tsavo River, which flows through Tsavo National Park for sustenance of the variety of wildlife present there. Most popular with Tsavo are the numerous herds of elephant it hosts. However, there is a prevalence of other animals of prey, including Buffalos, Rhinos, wildebeests, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and many more.

In this wildlife haven, big prey such as buffalos and rhinos have big predators to match. These include two members of the big cat family – lions and leopards. Other predators found in Tsavo National Park include cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogs, jackals and plenty more.

While the original man-eaters of Tsavo are long gone, the current lions of Tsavo are sizeable in number and provide for excellent game-watching. The males remain maneless like original Tsavo man-eaters.

Tsavo lions are generally smaller compared to Maasai Mara lions. This is why we always recommend that you book your Tsavo safari with an experienced local tour company like Gemini Expeditions that knows how and where to track lions in the vast expanse that is Tsavo National Park.

The great Tsavo river that snakes its way through the park also hosts water animals. They include a great number of crocodiles and hippos. Bird watching is part of the constant activity in this park. There are over 500 recorded bird species here. They include the flightless ostrich, vulturine guinea fowls, martial eagles, northern brownbuls, corncrakes, you name it. Did you know that the lilac-breasted roller is the national bird of Kenya? You can catch sight of it too in Tsavo National Park.

Trip Highlights

Three days and two nights in Tsavo National Park
Accommodation in a luxury safari lodge
Meals on a full-board plan
Comprehensive game drives where you can watch the lions of Tsavo among other animals
Evening photo stops in the park with the scenic backdrop of the Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks
Safari guided by a professional Kenyan guide

Day 01 :

SGR, pick up, and Safari at Tsavo National Park

We will book your train ticket from Nairobi or Mombasa (depending on your place of departure) to Voi. A guide will pick you up from the Voi SGR Terminal at noon and drive you to your safari lodge. The timing will be appropriate for you to have a buffet lunch. You will need it for the busy day ahead.

Once you’ve had your lunch, you may check into your room and unwind after traveling. Gemini Expeditions partners with luxurious Tsavo National Park hotels, including Salt Lick Safari Lodge and Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa to ensure that you're checked into the best rooms for your stay.

The tour guide will pick you up from your place of stay for a game drive at Tsavo. Highlights of Tsavo West National Park include Mzima Springs. This natural gem has four springs, each holding gallons of crystal-clear water. The springs attract plenty of wildlife, such as hippos, crocodiles, fishes, and various birds. Our tour guide will ensure that you explore this tucked-away oasis.

You will proceed with a guided trip in the park. Black rhinos are usually nocturnal, so the best time to view them is from 6 pm. However, there's never a guarantee that you will see them. Thereafter, our guide will ensure your safe return to your place of stay for dinner, evening entertainment, and the next day’s preparations.

Day 02 :

Game drives, exploration, and fun day

Our tour guide will pick you up from your lodge very early in the morning (before breakfast) when the lions of Tsavo are easy to spot.

Beyond that, you will observe and even take pictures of a diverse and wide range of other animal species that are mostly active in the mornings. These include elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, various bird species, and much more.

With the elephants in Tsavo East, you will notice a distinct red coating on their skin, setting them apart from elephants in other sanctuaries.

Your tour guide will drive you back to the resort for breakfast followed by another Tsavo National Park safari.

At noon, the tour guide will drive you back to your lodge for lunch, after which you can relax in the pool and explore the property.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner, entertainment and stay at your lodge.

Day 03 :

Drive through the park to SGR

On the final day, the tour guide will pick you up at 8 am, then head for Tsavo West National Park on the way to the Voi SGR Terminal.

One major difference between Tsavo East and Tsavo West is the terrain. The West side of the park has a history filled with volcanic activity and is therefore adorned with impressive geographical features compared to the more open East side. These include Shetani Lava Flow, Chaimu Volcanic Crater and Lava Field, Five Sister’s Hills, and a generally, unforgettably beautiful scenery.

You will be able to explore the charming topography while at the same time, catching sight of various species of wildlife, some of which you could not find on the East end of the park. These include mongoose, dik-dik, hyrax, zebra, cheetah, kudu, lions, elephants, giraffe, rhinos, zebras, several species of bird and a lot more.

At 10 am, the tour guide will drop you off at the Voi train terminal so that you can enjoy another scenic train journey back.

Tsavo National Park Safari FAQs

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Where is Tsavo?

Tsavo National Park is situated in southeastern Kenya, straddling the counties of Taita-Taveta, Kitui, and Makueni. It is conveniently located between Nairobi and Mombasa, with the park divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West by the railway and highway connecting these two cities.

How big is Tsavo National Park?

Tsavo is Kenya’s largest national park, spanning a total area of about 22,000 square kilometers. Tsavo East is the larger section at approximately 13,747 square kilometers, while Tsavo West covers around 9,065 square kilometers. Combined, this immense expanse is one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves.

What months have the highest temperature ranges in Tsavo?

Temperatures in Tsavo peak during the dry months of January through March and September through October. During this time, daytime temperatures often rise to 30–38°C (86–100°F), with hot, dry winds intensifying the heat.

What months have the lowest temperature ranges in Tsavo?

The cooler months in Tsavo occur between June and August, when temperatures range from 20–28°C (68–82°F) during the day. Nights during this period can feel especially chilly, with temperatures occasionally dropping below 15°C (59°F) in higher altitudes, particularly in Tsavo West.

What are the differences in competitors between wet and dry seasons in Tsavo?

Dry Season (June–October):
During the dry season, water sources become limited, and animals concentrate around rivers, springs, and waterholes. This makes prey more accessible to predators like lions and cheetahs, leading to heightened predator-prey competition. Herbivores face greater challenges finding food and water, intensifying their competition for survival.

Wet Season (November–May):
The wet season provides ample food and water, causing wildlife to spread out across the park. This reduces direct competition among herbivores. However, predators face tougher hunting conditions since prey is less concentrated, requiring them to work harder to secure meals. Migratory bird species also arrive during this season, competing for resources such as insects and fruits.

What was wrong with the lions of Tsavo?

The infamous lions of Tsavo gained notoriety in 1898 for preying on workers building the Kenya-Uganda railway. Scientists speculate that their unusual behavior was caused by a combination of factors, including:

Dental issues: One lion suffered from severe dental injuries, making it difficult to hunt large prey, leading it to target humans as easier prey.
Environmental stressors: A drought and the reduction of natural prey due to habitat destruction may have pushed the lions toward scavenging and hunting humans.
Carcass familiarity: The lions might have become accustomed to consuming human remains due to the improper burial of workers who died of disease during the railway’s construction.

Were the Tsavo lions male or female?

The Tsavo lions were both male. They were notable for their lack of manes, which is common among Tsavo lions. This unique trait is believed to be an adaptation to the hot environment, as manes can trap heat and make males more prone to overheating.

How many people did the Tsavo lions kill?

The exact number of victims remains debated. Official railway records document 28 human deaths, but Colonel John Henry Patterson, who hunted the lions, claimed they killed 135 people. The true figure is likely somewhere between these estimates.

Who killed the Tsavo lions?

The man-eating lions were killed by Colonel John Henry Patterson, an engineer and hunter overseeing the railway project. He shot them over the course of three weeks in December 1898. The lions’ skulls and skins were later preserved and are now displayed at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

Are Tsavo lions extinct?

No, Tsavo lions are not extinct. They continue to thrive in Tsavo National Park and remain a significant attraction for visitors. Their unique characteristics, including the often maneless appearance of males, make them distinct from lions in other parts of Africa.

Tsavo National Park Safari: 3-Day Exciting Game Drives via SGR

Tsavo National Park Safari with Gemini Expeditions

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FAQs

Overview

Trip Highlights

Itinerary

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Tsavo National Park Safari FAQs

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Tsavo National Park Safari with Gemini Expeditions

Overview

Trip Highlights

Itinerary

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

Exclusions

Tsavo National Park Safari FAQs

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Trip Info

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