National park · Kenya
Tsavo East National Park
Enter Tsavo East for a day: pay the smart‑card entry fee (≈ Ksh 430 adult, Ksh 215 child — 2026 estimate, check), drive Voi Gate early, then do a game drive on the Yatta Plateau (≈ 4 h, check) or a guided walk at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary (≈ 2 h, check); best wildlife viewing Aug‑Sep, avoid 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
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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)
- Park area reported as 21 812 km²; some sources split land (≈ 19 000 km²) and water (≈ 2 800 km²) – check.
- Established
- 1948
- Best months
- Aug–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Tsavo East National Park, established in 1948, covers vast dry plains and the Galana River floodplain in Kenya’s Southern Rift Valley, offering high‑density wildlife sightings and features such as the Yatta Plateau lava flow and the Ngulia black‑rhino sanctuary.
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
Park area reported as 21 812 km²; some sources split land (≈ 19 000 km²) and water (≈ 2 800 km²) – check.
Why go
- Large, open plains make wildlife spotting easy.
- Home to elephants, rhinos, lions and the rare black rhino sanctuary.
- Yatta Plateau lava flow is one of the longest in the world.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, warm; fewer tourists.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarStart of long rains, roads muddy.
- AprHeavy rain, wildlife harder to see.
- MayRainy, but lower prices.
- JunDry, good wildlife, lower crowds.
- JulDry, good for game drives.
- AugGrass low, excellent viewing.
- SepPeak wildlife visibility.
- OctShort rains, still good.
- NovShort rains, fewer tourists.
- DecDry, warm.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos, crocodilesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black rhino (Ngulia sanctuary)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (waterfowl, raptors)Oct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Mombasa
Drive north via Mombasa‑Nairobi highway, turn east at Voi; park gate is near Voi town (distance check).
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Nairobi
Drive 5–6 h via Nairobi‑Mombasa road; or fly to Voi (check flight availability) then drive to gate.
5–6 h by road; flight check
Open the page →
From Tsavo West National Park
Cross the Nairobi‑Mombasa railway at Voi; short road link between the two parks.
≈ 30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Voi Gate | Main entrance, smart‑card office, visitor centre, access to Yatta Plateau and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. | Open daily 6 AM–6 PM. |
| Manyani Gate | Northern entry, access to Galana River and Mudanda Rock. | Open with smart‑card. |
| Sala Gate | Eastern gate, near the Galana River confluence. | Open with smart‑card. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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; exact locations may vary.
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 (smart‑card) | KES 430 | person | Adult rate — 2026 estimate; child half price. Check current KWS rates. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Smart‑card entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Smart‑card
- All visitors must have a loaded smart‑card; purchase at any gate.
- Vehicle stay
- Stay inside your vehicle except at designated viewpoints and campsites.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Plastic
- Single‑use plastic banned; bring reusable bottles.
- Wildlife distance
- Keep at least 20 m from animals; do not feed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Voi Lodge
Mid‑range lodge 5 km (3.1 mi) from Voi Gate, with restaurant and pool.Mid‑range lodge 3.1 mi (5 km) from Voi Gate, with restaurant and pool.
In the park
Satao Camp
Tented camp inside the park, basic facilities, guided walks.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Road accidents medium
Elephant encounters high
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
- Voi Gate area reachable by car with short walks to main attractions.
- Long treks such as Yatta Plateau have uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support lodges that employ local staff and source food locally.
- Do not purchase wildlife products of uncertain origin.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tsavo East National Park?
Entry uses a KWS smart‑card; adult fee is approximately Ksh 430 per person (2026 estimate, check), child half price. Load the card at Voi Gate or other KWS offices before entry.
What are the best hikes in Tsavo East National Park?
The Yatta Plateau game drive (≈ 4 h, moderate) and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary guided walk (≈ 2 h, easy) are popular — both are unverified as hiking routes; check with park staff.
When is the best time to visit Tsavo East National Park?
August‑September gives the lowest grass and longest viewing distances; June‑July also good with fewer crowds. Avoid March‑May long rains.
Do I need a guide for any activities?
Guides are required for the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary walk and recommended for Yatta Plateau for safety and wildlife spotting.
Can I stay inside the park?
Yes, at camps like Satao Camp; otherwise most lodges are just outside the gates.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tsavo East National Park
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