Tsavo West National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

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

Wildlife densities in Tsavo West National Park are not very high, but the park is home to a wide variety of species, including the Big Five. You just need patience to spot them. There are many elephants, and they are often seen covered in red dust. The park is also known for its scraggly maned lions and big herds of buffalo. Black rhinos have been on the comeback in Tsavo West since the 1980s. They’re best seen in the excellent Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in the park’s east, which is home to around 150 black rhinos.

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoOccasional

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

HyenaOccasional

Wild DogVery Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Tsavo West is one of the best places to see the skittish lesser kudu. The rocky terrain is also a good habitat to look for klipspringers, which are often seen in pairs. Watch also for antelope that thrive in arid conditions, including the very localized fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk. Sightings of leopard are also possible. The drive-through rhino sanctuary increases your chances of spotting the difficult-to-find black rhino.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best wildlife viewing in Tsavo West is in the Dry season (June to October), although the park is worth a visit at any time of year. During the Dry season, the vegetation is minimal and animals tend to hang around the few available water sources. The dry spell from January to February, between the short and long rains, is also a great time for wildlife viewing.