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At a glance

  • Tsavo East is Kenya’s biggest national park, famed for its red elephants, maneless lions, leopards and cheetahs
  • Between them, the two Tsavo parks contain a third of Kenya’s elephant population
  • The birdlife in both parks is outstanding, with over 600 different species recorded
  • Tsavo West offers a very different wildlife-viewing experience to other parks in Kenya, with wooded hills and rocky peaks replacing the usual open plains; wildlife can be harder to spot but encounters feel all the more rewarding

Overview

The largest of Kenya’s national parks, Tsavo East has an undeniably wild and primordial charm. The park is most famous for its brick-red elephants, which get their distinctive colour from bathing in the Tsavo mud, and is dramatically cut through by the Galana River. Almost all game drives take place south of the river. The Kanderi Swamp is home to lion and leopard, while open grasslands provide the perfect habitat for prowling cheetah, with sightings of the quick cats more common here than anywhere else in south-eastern Kenya. Make it as far north as the Galana itself and you’ll likely spot crocodile, hippo, lesser kudu, waterbuck and dikdik, and perhaps more lion and leopard. What you won’t see, however, are many other vehicles. This is solitary safari country – a chance to witness wildlife in an undisturbed environment.

When to visit

  • January
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    55mm
    Average Rainfall
    January is the height of the summer season and falls into the 'short dry season'. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing, with ample opportunity to spot newborn animals and hungry predators. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • February
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    42mm
    Average Rainfall
    February falls well into the short dry season, offering hot, dry and clear days with just the odd shower. It's an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing, with ample opportunity to spot newborn animals and hungry predators. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool.
  • March
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    95mm
    Average Rainfall
    For most of March, days are warm and dry, however Kenya is approaching its 'long rains' so more rainfall should be expected. Although days are hot, evenings and early mornings can be cool. Overall, March is an excellent time to visit pretty much all of Kenya’s parks and reserves, with warm temperatures and short grasses making for excellent game viewing. Birdwatching is spectacular with many migratory species present.
  • April
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    123mm
    Average Rainfall
    April heralds the start of the green season and the beginning of the 'long rains', which bring an explosion of greenery and a drop in temperatures. Days are still warm but evenings are cool, so layers are recommended. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with thicker vegetation makes wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • May
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    120mm
    Average Rainfall
    May is characterised by the long rains. Vegetation is thick and tracks into the parks can become very muddy. Days are warm and wet with cool evenings, so layers are recommended. There are also more mosquitoes about. The increased rainfall results in more water sources, which combined with thicker vegetation can make wildlife viewing more challenging. However, with careful planning this is still an excellent time to visit: the landscape is lush and bright and there is hardly anyone else around. It's an especially good time for photographers to visit thanks to the vivid colours, dramatic skies and excellent air clarity. Some lodges and camps may close during the long rains,
  • June
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Dry weather for the most part returns to Kenya in June, though there may still be some light showers. Days are clear and sunny with low humidity and evenings can be cool, so layers are recommended. The grasses and vegetation are still verdant after the rains making some wildlife viewing a bit more difficult, however as water sources start to dissipate herds start to congregate around permanent water sources, making them easier to spot.
  • July
    26ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    20mm
    Average Rainfall
    Winter continues through July with warm dry days and very little rain. Nights and early mornings can be very chilly, especially when you're in an open safari vehicle, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation make wildlife viewing easier.
  • August
    27ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    25mm
    Average Rainfall
    August is the last month of winter in Kenya. Days are pleasantly warm with very little rain, though nights and early mornings can be chilly, especially when you're in an open safari vehicle, so plenty of layers are recommended. Shrinking water sources and thinning vegetation make wildlife viewing easier.
  • September
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    10ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    30mm
    Average Rainfall
    Temperatures start to increase as Kenya moves out of its winter. Days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially when you're in an open safari vehicle, so plenty of layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing.
  • October
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    35mm
    Average Rainfall
    October is the last month of the dry season before the short rains start in November. Temperatures are on the rise and days are warm and clear with little chance of rain, though early mornings and evenings can still be chilly, especially when you're in an open safari vehicle, so plenty of layers are recommended. The dry conditions and limited water sources make for excellent game viewing. Many migrant bird species start to arrive from Europe at this time.
  • November
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    11ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    105mm
    Average Rainfall
    November sees the start of the short rains, bringing with it a return to green and lush landscapes. Wildlife viewing becomes a bit more challenging with the thickening of vegetation and more surface water, though there are lots of newborn animals around. Days are hot with cooler evenings. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.
  • December
    28ºC
    Maximum Tempurature
    17ºC
    Minimum Tempurature
    80mm
    Average Rainfall
    By December the short rains have ended for the most part and the country tends to be sunny and dry, with lush landscapes following the short rains in November. Days are hot and humid, evenings are warm but early mornings are still cool. Wildlife viewing is a bit challenging due to the thicker vegetation. The birdlife is brilliant with many migrant species present.

Accommodation

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