Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park – Land of the Red Elephants

Location: Southeastern Kenya, between Nairobi and Mombasa.

Tsavo East is Kenya’s oldest and largest national park, famous for its vast open savannahs and herds of elephants that appear red from the park’s rich, dusty soil enriched with iron oxide. The park is home to lions, cheetahs, giraffes and buffalo, with the Galana River cutting through to create lush oases like Lugard’s Falls and the scenic Aruba Dam.

Culture: The Taita and Kamba communities live around Tsavo, known for their storytelling, beadwork and cultural ties to the land.

Travel Tip: Best for wide-sweeping game drives and large herds. Carry a good zoom lens for wildlife photography as the terrain is expansive.

Tsavo West National Park – Scenic Wilderness and Mzima Springs

Location: Southeastern Kenya, adjoining Tsavo East but separated by the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.

Tsavo West offers a more scenic and dramatic landscape, with rocky hills, volcanic cones, lava flows and lush springs. The highlight is Mzima Springs, a crystal-clear water source where hippos and crocodiles can be viewed from an underwater observation chamber. The park is also home to elephants, rhinos and predators like lions and leopards.

Culture: The Taita people inhabit the surrounding highlands, adding cultural richness through music, traditions and farming heritage.

Travel Tip: Bring sturdy shoes for nature walks around Mzima Springs and warm clothing for evenings, as the park can be cooler than Tsavo East.