Taita-Taveta County
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (Salt Lick)
A private sanctuary famous for its lodge on stilts
Taita-Taveta County, southern Kenya
Tsavo West
Volcanic hills, lava flows and crystal-clear springs
- Country
- Kenya
- Region
- Taita-Taveta County, southern Kenya
- Type
- Kenya Safari
- Best months to visit
- Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct
Overview
Tsavo West is wild, varied and far less crowded than the Mara. Its landscape of volcanic cones, black lava flows and rocky hills is a dramatic contrast to Kenya’s open plains.
At Mzima Springs, millions of litres of water filtered through the Chyulu Hills bubble up into clear pools where you can watch hippos and crocodiles from an underwater viewing chamber.
- Mzima Springs underwater hide
- Shetani lava flow
- Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
- Wilderness without crowds
What you'll see
Elephants dusted red with Tsavo soil, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and lesser kudu. Black rhino are protected in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, where sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
Wildlife you may see
- Elephant (Big Five)
- Lion (Big Five)
- Leopard (Big Five)
- Cape buffalo (Big Five)
- Hippo
- Nile crocodile
- Black rhino (Big Five)
- Masai giraffe
- Plains zebra
- Gerenuk
Things to do
- 01
Game drives
Explore volcanic landscapes and riverine forest.
- 02
Mzima Springs walk
A short nature trail with an underwater hippo-viewing chamber.
- 03
Shetani lava flow and caves
Walk on a young lava flow and visit the nearby caves.
Best time
- Jan: Great time
- Feb: Great time
- Mar: Possible
- Apr: Possible
- May: Possible
- Jun: Great time
- Jul: Great time
- Aug: Great time
- Sep: Great time
- Oct: Great time
- Nov: Possible
- Dec: Possible
June to October and January to February are dry. Vegetation is thicker after the rains, which can make wildlife harder to spot.
Getting there
About 4–5 hours by road from Nairobi or Mombasa, and a natural link between Amboseli and the coast.
Where to stay
Luxury
Lodges and tented camps built into rocky hillsides overlooking waterholes.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Comfort
Classic safari lodges with floodlit waterholes.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
Budget
Simple bandas and campsites inside the park.
We'll suggest camps and lodges that fit your dates and budget.
