National park · Kenya
Tsavo West National ParkVườn quốc gia Tsavo West
Enter Tsavo West for a 2‑day self‑drive: pay the entry fee at Mtito Andei gate (≈ KES 1 400 per adult), drive to Mzima Springs early for wildlife, and hike the Shetani Lava Flow in the dry season; skip the long rains (Mar‑May).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
21,812 km² (8,422 sq mi)8,422 sq mi (21,812 km²)
approximate
Established
1948
Best months
Aug–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 21,812 km² (8,422 sq mi)8,422 sq mi (21,812 km²)
- Official KWS data give 21,812 km²; some maps round to 22,000 km² (check).
- Established
- 1948
- Best months
- Aug–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Tsavo West National Park, established in 1948, spans arid hills, volcanic cones and lava fields in Kenya’s Southern Rift Valley, offering sparse crowds, diverse wildlife and long‑distance game viewing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1948.
Size and age
21,812 km² (8,422 sq mi)8,422 sq mi (21,812 km²) · national park since 1948
Official KWS data give 21,812 km²; some maps round to 22,000 km² (check).
Why go
- Large, varied landscape with volcanic cones, lava fields and abundant wildlife.
- Less crowded than Tsavo East, offering better wildlife viewing distances.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good for game drives
- FebDry, cool; good for game drives
- MarStart of long rains, roads may get muddy
- AprLong rainy season, many tracks impassable
- MayLong rainy season, poor visibility
- JunDry, start of good wildlife viewing
- JulDry, good game viewing
- AugPeak dry, thin vegetation, excellent sightings
- SepPeak dry, thin vegetation, excellent sightings
- OctShort rains begin, afternoon showers
- NovShort rains, occasional showers
- DecDry, cooler evenings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos, giraffes, zebrasJun–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cheetahs and wild dogs (rare sightings)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Over 600 bird speciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nairobi
Drive north on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway to Mtito Andei Gate (≈240 km (149 mi)) or take the Standard Gauge Railway to Mtito Andei and arrange a transfer.Drive north on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway to Mtito Andei Gate (≈149 mi (240 km)) or take the Standard Gauge Railway to Mtito Andei and arrange a transfer.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Mombasa
Drive north on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway to Mtito Andei Gate (≈250 km (155 mi)).Drive north on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway to Mtito Andei Gate (≈155 mi (250 km)).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Amboseli
Drive via Chyulu Gate, linking Amboseli and Tsavo West.
2–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mtito Andei Gate | Main northern entrance, visitor centre, ticket office, fuel and supplies. | Open daily 6 AM–6 PM |
| Mzima Springs | Waterhole with boardwalks, viewing platform and swimming pool. | Accessible by road from the gate; vehicle stop required. |
| Shetani Lava Flow | Volcanic lava field with walking trail. | Road access via the main track; 4×4 recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for major attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | KES 1,400 | person | Standard KWS fee; check for current rate |
| Park entry (child) | KES 700 | person | Half price for children under 12; check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- KES 1,400
- KES 700
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Kenya Wildlife Service – Tsavo West National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Vehicle speed
- Maximum 40 km/h (25 mph) on park roadsMaximum 25 mph (40 km/h) on park roads
- Off‑road driving
- Prohibited; stay on designated tracks
- Wildlife distance
- Keep at least 20 m from animals
- Camping
- Only in designated lodges or camps; no open‑site camping
- Plastic
- Single‑use plastic banned; use refillable containers
Where to stay
Near the park
Kilaguni Serena Lodge
Mid‑range lodge with game viewing decks
Near the park
Severin Safari Camp
Tented camp close to Mzima Springs
Safety
Road accidents on highway medium
Elephant and lion encounters high
Malaria medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Mtito Andei gate facilities have paved parking and short walks.
- Mzima Springs boardwalk is wheelchair‑accessible to a limited extent; other trails are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; use refillable water bottles.
- Buy food and supplies before entering; park shops have limited plastic.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tsavo West National Park?
Adult entry is about KES 1 400 per person; children pay half. Check the latest KWS rates before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Tsavo West National Park?
Shetani Lava Flow (3–4 h, moderate) and the Roaring Rocks walk (1 h, easy) are popular. Both start from road tracks and need a 4×4.
When is the best time to visit Tsavo West National Park?
The dry months August–September give the best wildlife visibility. Avoid the long rains March‑May; short rains October‑December are tolerable.
Can I drive my own vehicle into Tsavo West?
Yes, a high‑clearance 4×4 is recommended. Pay the entry fee at the gate and stay on designated roads.
Are there any camping options inside the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated lodges or camps; open‑site camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go