Tsavo West National Park at a glance
Tsavo West covers about 9,065 km² and is volcanic and hillier than Tsavo East. The A109 road and the railway between Nairobi and Mombasa separate the two parks. Its attractions include Mzima Springs, the Shetani Lava Flow, Chaimu Hill, Five Sisters, Roaring Rocks and Poacher's Lookout. Not every path or cave is open every day, so ask at the gate.
Tsavo West is a separate park from Tsavo East, with its own gates and its own daily fee. If you are still deciding between them, read Tsavo East or Tsavo West. Prices on this page are as listed for 2026.
Our picks: Tsavo West safaris
The day trip from Nairobi is the one for Tsavo West alone, with Mzima Springs as a stop. If you want both parks, the three-day routes from Nairobi or from Mombasa cover Tsavo West and Tsavo East; only the Mombasa one has the park entries in the price.
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.
3-day Tsavo West and Tsavo East safari from Mombasa
- Entry to both parks
- Two nights inside the parks
- 4x4 or safari van
Day one is in Tsavo West, day two in Tsavo East, and day three takes you back to the coast. Mzima Springs and other Tsavo West sights are possible stops, not a fixed part of the programme.
Check availability →
3-day Tsavo East and Tsavo West safari from Nairobi
- Mzima Springs on the route
- Two nights, full board
- Roof-hatch safari van
Both Tsavo parks in three days, starting and ending in Nairobi. All park entry fees are extra, so add them to your budget.
Check availability →
Tsavo West day trip with Mzima Springs
- Game drives in Tsavo West
- Mzima Springs visit
- English-speaking driver-guide
A one-day trip from Nairobi into Tsavo West, booked as a private group, with Mzima Springs as one of the stops. The Tsavo West park fee is extra.
Check availability →Tsavo West safaris and tours
Game drives, day trips and overnight safaris to Tsavo West, with live prices and availability.
Mzima Springs in Tsavo West
Mzima Springs is a springs attraction where water comes out from under the lava. The pools are green and clear, with trees along the banks, and hippos, crocodiles and fish live in them. Walks are possible with a ranger. Ask at the gate which viewing points and routes are open on your day, and keep a safe distance from the water's edge.
The Mzima Springs page covers wildlife, walking and how to plan a visit. It combines well with the lava flow below, because both are in Tsavo West.
Shetani Lava Flow and other sights
Volcanic landscapes are what set Tsavo West apart from Tsavo East.
Shetani Lava Flow
The Shetani Lava Flow is a wide black field of rough lava rock. It offers cave exploration. Ask at the gate whether the caves are open on your day and whether a ranger has to come along.
Chaimu Crater
Chaimu is a volcanic hill made of lava and ash, known to travellers as Chaimu Crater and also written Chaimu Hill. Both names point to the same place.
Five Sisters, Roaring Rocks and Poacher's Lookout
These three are among the park's attractions. Ask at the gate which of them you can reach on your day.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Tsavo West is the park for rhino conservation. A 2024 count listed 142 black rhinos at Ngulia and 42 in the Tsavo West intensive protection zone. For comparison, Tsavo East had 31. KWS announced the official opening of the expanded rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West in September 2026. The sanctuary is now larger than the Ngulia area alone.
An expanded sanctuary does not by itself mean a new public safari loop, and the old Ngulia gate may not follow its former hours. Ask your lodge or the gate which roads you can use, and do not count on seeing a rhino. Rhinos are hard to find even where many live. More on the wildlife page.
Gates, Lake Jipe and getting to Tsavo West
Mtito Andei Gate is the main entrance by road and by train.
Tsavo West has six gates: Mtito Andei, Chyulu, Tsavo River, Lake Jipe, Maktau and Ziwani. Chyulu Gate connects with the road from the direction of the Chyulu Hills. Mtito Andei Gate is about 240 km from Nairobi and 250 km from Mombasa by road. The Madaraka Express is a convenient way to reach Mtito Andei, but the station and the gate are two different places.
| Madaraka Express, Inter-County | Departs | Mtito Andei | Fare, adult, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi to Mombasa | 08:00 | 10:50 | KES 740 economy from Nairobi, KES 2,240 first class |
| Mombasa to Nairobi | 08:00 | 11:18 | KES 750 economy from Mombasa, KES 2,280 first class |
Only the Inter-County train stops at Mtito Andei, and times and fares are as listed in 2026. Lake Jipe, shared with Tanzania, is a bird-watching destination in Tsavo West and has access and a campsite. See Lake Chala and Lake Jipe. Komboyo, Chyulu and Lake Jipe are public campsites, and there are special campsites. The Kamboyo Guest House is KWS accommodation. Trains and roads are covered in getting there.
Fees and rules in Tsavo West
The same daily fees as Tsavo East, as listed for 2026, paid separately for each park.
| Visitor group | Adult per day | Child or student per day |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | $80 | $40 |
| African citizen outside the East African Community | $40 | $20 |
| Kenya resident | KES 1,350 | KES 675 |
| East African citizen, including Kenya | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
A daily fee covers one entry for up to 24 hours. For non-residents, there is a package for Tsavo West and Amboseli at $150 for adults and $80 for children. Read its terms before you buy. A vehicle with fewer than 6 seats pays KES 600 per day on top.
- Gates: open 06:00 to 18:00 for day visits.
- Speed: 40 km/h maximum.
- Animals: stay at least 20 m away and never feed them.
- Roads: stay on existing roads; driving off-road is not allowed.
- Plastic: single-use plastic is banned in the parks.
See park fees for vehicles, rangers and other charges.
Go on from Tsavo West
The springs, the other park and the way in.
Tsavo West: frequently asked questions
What is Tsavo West known for?
Volcanic landscapes and water: Mzima Springs, the Shetani Lava Flow, Chaimu Hill and the rhino sanctuary around Ngulia. The park covers about 9,065 km².
How much is the entry fee for Tsavo West?
In 2026, adult non-residents pay $80 per day and children $40. Kenya residents pay KES 1,350 and KES 675, East African citizens KES 1,000 and KES 500. The fee is valid for up to 24 hours and does not cover Tsavo East.
Can I visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary?
KWS announced the official opening of the expanded sanctuary in September 2026. Which roads are open to visitors, and when, is something to ask at the gate or at your lodge. No rhino sighting is guaranteed.
Can I get to Tsavo West by train?
You can reach Mtito Andei on the Inter-County Madaraka Express. The 08:00 train from Nairobi arrives at 10:50, and the 08:00 train from Mombasa arrives at 11:18. From the station you continue to the gate by road. See getting there.
Are the Shetani caves open?
The Shetani Lava Flow offers cave exploration, but the caves may not be open on your day. Ask at the gate and ask whether a ranger must go with you.