​Best Time To Visit – Tsavo East NP

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

A trip to Tsavo East National Park is best planned in June to October and January to February, when conditions in the park are favorable for wildlife watching. In ‘normal’ years, during the peak of the short rains (November) and the long rains (April) conditions can be more challenging: with water and food more widely available, the animals spread out across a wider area, which makes spotting them more difficult.


184 Tsavo East Safaris
Best Time June to October and January to February (Best for general wildlife viewing; little rainfall)
High Season December to March and July to October (The reserve never gets very busy)
Low Season April to June (Low-season rates may apply)
Best Weather June to September and January to February (Little rainfall)
Worst Weather April and November to December (Wettest months)

June to October Dry Season

  • Wildlife viewing is better as animals gather at water sources
  • Sunny days with little rainfall
  • Malaria is less prevalent
  • The conditions are dry and dusty
  • Scenically less enticing with hazy skies

November to May Wet Season

  • The park is beautiful with lush scenery
  • April to June is low season so lower rates may apply
  • Although wildlife viewing is better in the Dry season, there is still plenty of wildlife around
  • Best time for bird-watchers
  • Roads deteriorate with the increase in rainfall in April and May
  • January and February can be extremely hot
  • Rain can interrupt your planned activities, especially in April and November

Wildlife Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

Want To Visit Tsavo East NP?

184 Tsavo East Safaris