Tsavo is Kenya's largest national park and one of the biggest in the world, covering over 20,000 square kilometres of rugged wilderness between Nairobi and Mombasa. Split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West for administrative purposes, together they form an enormous swathe of savannah, volcanic hills, lava flows, and river-fed swamps. The park is famous as the home of the "man-eaters of Tsavo" -- the two maneless lions that terrorized railway workers in 1898 -- and its red-dusted elephants, coloured by the iron-rich soil they roll in.
The sheer size of Tsavo means it feels far less crowded than the Masai Mara or Amboseli. You can drive for long stretches through open bush without seeing another vehicle, which is part of the appeal. Tsavo West is hillier and more scenic, with volcanic landscapes, Mzima Springs, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Tsavo East is flatter and drier, known for its vast plains, the Galana River, and large herds of elephant and buffalo.
If you are planning to safari in Tsavo on your own, you will need a 4WD vehicle to get off the main roads. The main entrance gates to both parks are signposted on the Mombasa highway. Note that Tsavo West and East are separate parks with separate entrance fees.
