Where to stay at Tsavo East and Tsavo West
Accommodation at Tsavo falls into three groups by location: inside the park boundaries, outside the park near the access towns, and inside the separately priced Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. A bed does not replace the entry fee. You pay the park fee on top, and camping is charged separately.
Gates run from 06:00 to 18:00 unless you stay overnight, so a base close to a gate or inside the park gives you more time with the wildlife. If you are still choosing how long to stay, compare our Tsavo safari tours and see what each one includes.
Inside the park, near the gates or in the sanctuary
What each base is good for.
| Base | Good for | Park entry | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the park | Early starts, evenings in the bush | Daily entry fee applies | Rates and room types vary, ask for the full price |
| Near a gate or in Voi or Mtito Andei | Train arrivals, short stays, easier transfers | Daily entry fee applies on the days you drive in | You enter at gate opening and leave by 18:00 |
| Taita Hills Sanctuary | A private reserve with its own rules | Own sanctuary fee, not the Tsavo fee | Overnight and full board rates do not include sanctuary entry |
| KWS campsites | Budget stays and self-reliant travellers | Daily entry fee applies | Facilities and availability vary, check before you go |
For most first-time visitors, a lodge inside the park or right at a gate for one or two nights is the practical choice, because you start at 06:00 without a long drive. For a budget trip, use a KWS campsite. If you arrive by train, spend the first night in Voi or Mtito Andei.
Our pick: stay and safari in one booking
One night in a lodge or tent camp with three meals is part of this small-group trip to Tsavo East, if you would rather not book a bed separately.
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 with accommodation
Overnight safaris and multi-day trips to Tsavo East and Tsavo West, with live prices and availability. Check whether lodging, meals and park fees are in each price.
Tsavo East accommodation
Bases for a stay in Tsavo East.
Campsites
Ndololo is a public campsite in Tsavo East. There are also special campsites in the northern and southern parts of the park.
Gates
The gates are Bachuma, Voi and Manyani, plus Sala, which you reach by the C103 road from the Malindi side. Choose the gate that is closest to where you sleep.
Lodges
Lodges sit inside the park and at the edge of it. Choose by area: near a gate on the Voi side, in the plains, or at a rock or dam. The park has airstrips at Voi and Ithumba for fly-in stays, but scheduled flights are not a given.
Accommodation in Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West has the public campsites Komboyo, Chyulu and Lake Jipe, as well as special campsites. There is also a KWS guest house, Kamboyo. The park gates are Mtito Andei, Chyulu (the link from the Amboseli side), Tsavo River, Lake Jipe, Maktau and Ziwani.
Mtito Andei is about 233 to 240 km from Nairobi and about 250 km from Mombasa. The train is a convenient way to reach Tsavo West, but the station and the park gate are not the same place. A base near Mtito Andei suits a train arrival, and lodges inside the park suit a stay around Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava. The park has airstrips, including Kilaguni.
See the Tsavo West guide for the sights around each base.
How to choose a Tsavo lodge by location
- By park: Pick East for open plains, Mudanda Rock and Lugard's Falls, and West for springs, lava and hills. Sleep in the park you want to drive in.
- By arrival: Voi suits Tsavo East and a train arrival, Mtito Andei suits Tsavo West. Plan the transfer from the station, because the timetable does not cover it.
- By gate hours: Staying overnight does not automatically allow free driving after dark. Plan your drives inside gate hours.
- By safety advice: Government travel advice recommends staying in lodges or guarded campsites in national parks and planning road trips for daylight.
- By price: Lodge rates are set by each property. Ask for what the price includes: meals, game drives and the park fee.
KWS camping fees for 2026
Per person, adult and child or student. A stay at a campsite does not include the park entry fee.
| Visitor type | Public campsite | Special campsite |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 200 / KES 150 | KES 250 / KES 200 |
| Kenya resident | KES 300 / KES 200 | KES 350 / KES 250 |
| Non-resident | $20 / $15 | $35 / $20 |
| African citizen outside the EAC | $10 / $8 | $20 / $10 |
A reservation for a special campsite costs KES 10,000 per week, non-refundable. That is a booking fee and not the camping fee or the park entry. For most campers, a public campsite is the budget choice and a special campsite the choice for a private spot. Entry fees are on Tsavo park fees.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
The Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a private reserve founded in 1970 on the Mwatate to Taveta road. It covers 28,000 acres and sets its own tariff. Gates run from 06:00 to 18:00. Adult entry is KES 600 for East African residents and $40 for non-residents. Children aged 5 to 11 pay KES 300 or $20.
Vehicles pay $5 per night for 4–12 seats, $10 for 13–24, $15 for 25–44 and $20 for 45 or more. Overnight and full board prices do not include the sanctuary entry. Check the current rates before you go, and read the Taita Hills guide.
Tsavo accommodation: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay for Tsavo East?
Inside the park or at the edge near a gate, such as the Voi side, gives you the earliest start. Ndololo is a public campsite, and there are special campsites in the north and south.
Where should I stay for Tsavo West?
Near Mtito Andei if you arrive by train, or inside the park for Mzima Springs and the Shetani lava. The public campsites are Komboyo, Chyulu and Lake Jipe.
Does the room price include the park entry fee?
No, not as a rule. Accommodation does not replace the park entry fee, and the Taita Hills Sanctuary does not include its entry in overnight prices. Ask each property what the price covers.
How much does a KWS campsite cost?
A public campsite costs $20 for a non-resident adult and $15 for a child or student. A special campsite costs $35 and $20. Rates for residents and citizens are in the table above.
Can I drive in the park after dark if I stay overnight?
Not automatically. Staying overnight does not allow free driving at night, so plan your drives within the 06:00 to 18:00 gate hours.
Is this the official Tsavo website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and does not run or recommend any lodge. Camping rates come from the Kenya Wildlife Service tariff.