Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest parks, covering more than 13,700 square kilometres between Nairobi and Mombasa. Its defining image is the red elephant, herds that dust themselves in the park’s iron-rich volcanic soil, and its defining feel is space: wide open plains and dramatic, uncrowded wilderness compared to Kenya’s busier parks.

Beyond the elephants, Tsavo East holds lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, cheetah, and pockets of black rhino in protected sanctuary areas, along with more than 500 recorded bird species. The Galana River and Aruba Dam draw animals to drink, especially in the dry season, while Lugard Falls, a series of rapids and rock formations on the Galana, is one of the park’s most photographed spots.

June to October is peak dry-season game viewing, with January to March also reliable; April and May bring rain and green scenery with far fewer visitors. Most travellers spend two to three days here, and its location makes it easy to combine with a Mombasa or Diani beach extension, or with neighbouring Tsavo West.

Tsavo East is roughly 330km from Nairobi and accessible from Mombasa too, so Esther Luxe Safaris often builds it into itineraries that pair inland wildlife with a coastal finish.

Lodges and tented camps sit both inside and just outside the park boundary, ranging from simple budget camps to full-service safari lodges, and Esther Luxe Safaris matches accommodation to your budget and preferred pace, whether that’s a fast two-day stop or a slower three-day exploration of the Galana River area.