Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park covers approximately 9,065 square kilometres of extraordinarily diverse and dramatic landscape in southeastern Kenya — forming the western half of the Tsavo Conservation Area, Africa's largest protected ecosystem. While Tsavo East is characterised by open semi-arid plains and riverine habitats, Tsavo West offers dramatically more varied and scenic terrain — a mosaic of volcanic hills, ancient lava flows, springs, savannah, and dense riverine bush that creates a complex and visually spectacular wilderness. The park's centrepiece and most celebrated attraction is the Mzima Springs — a series of crystal-clear pools fed by volcanic aquifers originating in the Chyulu Hills, producing an astonishing 50 million gallons of pristine water per day that supports dense concentrations of hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, and remarkable underwater life visible from an extraordinary subterranean viewing chamber. The Shetani lava flow — a stark, jet-black expanse of volcanic rock created by an eruption only 200 years ago — and the adjacent Chaimu Crater are among East Africa's most remarkable geological landmarks, contrasting dramatically with the surrounding green savannah. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary within the park provides intensive protection for Kenya's critically endangered black rhino. Tsavo West combines conveniently with Amboseli and the coast for extended southern Kenya itineraries.