Tsavo East vs Tsavo West at a glance
Tsavo East is the larger park, with about 13,747 km² of open, semi-arid plains, acacia bush and the Galana River. Tsavo West covers about 9,065 km² and is hillier and volcanic, with springs, lava fields and a rhino sanctuary. The A109 road and the railway between Nairobi and Mombasa run between them.
The choice usually comes down to where your trip starts and which landscape you want. Both parks charge their own daily fee and both ban driving off the roads, so you cannot cut across country between sights. If you already know your park, browse Tsavo safari tours to book a day or a few days. Prices on this page are as listed for 2026.
Tsavo East and Tsavo West compared
Facts as listed for 2026. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed in either park.
| Point | Tsavo East | Tsavo West |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Open dry plains, bush and the Galana River | Hills, lava and springs |
| Main sights | Mudanda Rock, Aruba Dam, Lugard Falls | Mzima Springs, Shetani Lava Flow, rhino sanctuary |
| Size | About 13,747 km² | About 9,065 km² |
| Main gates | Bachuma, Voi, Manyani, Sala | Mtito Andei, Chyulu, Tsavo River, Lake Jipe, Maktau, Ziwani |
| From Mombasa by road | Bachuma 110 km, Voi 156 km, Manyani 191 km | Mtito Andei about 250 km |
| From Nairobi by road | – | Mtito Andei about 240 km |
| Madaraka Express | Voi, on all services | Mtito Andei, on the Inter-County train |
| Black rhinos, 2024 count | 31 | 142 at Ngulia, 42 in the intensive protection zone |
| Adult non-resident fee | $80 per day | $80 per day |
| Suits | Trips from Mombasa or Voi, open plains | Trips from Nairobi or Mtito Andei, springs and lava |
For most visitors starting on the coast with only a day or two, Tsavo East is the simpler choice, because its gates are the closest. For most visitors arriving from Nairobi on the morning train who like springs, lava and hills, Tsavo West is the better fit.
Our pick: see both parks in one trip
This four-day route visits Tsavo East, Amboseli and Tsavo West, so you do not have to choose just one Tsavo park. Park fees depend on the option you pick.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tsavo safaris and day trips
Game drives, overnight safaris and day trips to Tsavo East and Tsavo West, with live prices and availability.
Which park for which trip
Choose by starting point, by landscape and by how much time you have.
You start in Mombasa
Tsavo East is closer. Bachuma Gate is 110 km by road, Voi Gate 156 km. Tsavo West's Mtito Andei Gate is about 250 km away. Read safari from Mombasa for the options, and see Mombasa if you want to see the city as well.
You start in Nairobi
The 08:00 Inter-County train reaches Mtito Andei at 10:50, about 2 h 50 min after leaving Nairobi, and Voi at 12:02. Tsavo West's main gate is at Mtito Andei, so West is the natural fit for the morning train. The station is not a park gate, so you still need a road transfer.
You want plains and big skies
Tsavo East has open, dry plains. The red elephants are a feature here, and the red comes from dust, not from a separate kind of elephant. Their number is not a count for one park: the 2025 census counted 17,266 elephants in the Tsavo ecosystem as a whole.
You want water, lava and rhino conservation
Tsavo West has Mzima Springs and the Shetani Lava Flow. KWS announced the official opening of the expanded rhino sanctuary in September 2026, so ask at the gate which roads you can use.
You have time for both
Plan separate days. Each park needs its own daily fee, valid for up to 24 hours, and gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00 for day visits. For non-residents there are packages with Amboseli: Tsavo West and Amboseli for $150 (children $80), Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Amboseli for $215 (children $115). Read the terms before you buy.
Rules that apply in both parks
The same rules make the two parks easy to plan together.
- Roads: stay on existing roads. Driving off-road is not allowed in either park, so there are no shortcuts between sights.
- Speed: 40 km/h maximum.
- Animals: keep at least 20 m away and never feed them.
- Plastic: single-use plastic is banned.
- Fees: adult non-residents pay $80 per park and day, children $40. Kenya residents pay KES 1,350 (children KES 675) and East African citizens KES 1,000 (children KES 500). A vehicle with fewer than 6 seats pays KES 600 per day on top.
- Payment: use KWS eCitizen where you can, and do not count on paying cash at the gate.
The park fees page has more, including rangers and other charges.
Read more about each park
Details on the sights, gates and fees of both.
Tsavo East or Tsavo West: frequently asked questions
Which is better, Tsavo East or Tsavo West?
Neither is better for everyone. Tsavo East suits open plains and trips from Mombasa. Tsavo West suits springs, lava and trips from Nairobi by train. Neither park can promise you more animals than the other.
Is there one ticket for both parks?
No. Each park has its own daily fee, valid for up to 24 hours, and leaving and returning means paying again. There are packages with Amboseli for non-residents, and each has its own terms.
Can I drive from one park to the other?
Yes, by the A109 road, which runs between them. Each park needs its own daily fee, and off-road shortcuts are not allowed. Plan separate days for the two parks.
When is the best time to visit?
Voi's long-term averages are driest from June to September, with 3 to 15 mm of rain a month, and wettest in April, November and December, with 100 to 119 mm. Rain also depends on the year. See weather and best time.
Which park is better for a child or a first safari?
Either works. Children pay half the adult fee, $40 for non-residents. The deciding factor is your starting point, not the park. See the table above and Tsavo safari for trip lengths.