Tsavo West National Park

Quick answer · Updated 28 October 2026

Tsavo West is Kenya's second-largest national park, about 9,065 km² of hills, springs and young lava landscapes west of the Mombasa–Nairobi highway. Highlights include Mzima Springs, the Shetani lava flow and the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, expanded in December 2025 to about 3,200 km². It's 4–5 hours by road from Mombasa, so it suits overnight safaris.

Schematic map, not to scale.

At a glance

Area: ~9,065 km²^source
Gates: Mtito Andei, Tsavo River, Chyulu, Lake Jipe, Maktau, Ziwani^source
Bird species: Over 600^source
Non-resident park fee: USD 80 adult / USD 40 child as of 28 October 2026 · fees & court note

Sights

Mzima Springs

Fed by underground water from the Chyulu Hills; home to hippos and crocodiles.

Shetani lava flow

"Shetani" means devil. A young lava flow, only a few centuries old.

Chaimu crater

A volcanic cone beside the lava flow.

Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary

The former 92 km² Ngulia sanctuary, expanded to about 3,200 km² and opened on 9 December 2025. KWS describes it as the largest rhino sanctuary in the world.

Lake Jipe

A lake on the Tanzanian border with birdlife and hippos.

Poacher's Lookout

A viewpoint over the plains.

Roaring Rocks

A rocky outcrop with views across the park.

Best time to visit

Driest and best for wildlife June–October and January–February; wettest April and November–December.

JanDry
FebDry
MarMixed
AprWet
MayMixed
JunDry
JulDry
AugDry
SepDry
OctDry
NovWet
DecWet

Dry (best for wildlife): June–October, January–February. Wettest: April, November–December. Source: SafariBookings.

Getting there

Diani → Tsavo West: About 5–5.5 hours
Mombasa → Tsavo West: About 4–5 hours (210–250 km)

Park fees

Park	Visitor category	Adult	Child
Tsavo West	Non-resident	USD 80	USD 40
	Rest-of-Africa citizen	USD 40	USD 20
	Kenya resident	KES 1,350	KES 675
	East African citizen	KES 1,000	KES 500

Source: Kenya Wildlife Service park pages, checked 28 October 2026.

About the 2025 fee change: Kenya Wildlife Service introduced new conservation fees on 1 October 2025. On 2 October 2025 the High Court issued an order suspending them while a petition was heard. KWS's own park pages list the new rates as of the date shown. We confirm the fee that applies when we quote your trip. Park fees guide