Kenya
Amboseli & Tsavo
Region
Between Nairobi and the coast lie some of Kenya's most famous national parks: Amboseli at the foot of Kilimanjaro, the two Tsavo Parks on either side of the Mombasa Road, as well as the Chyulu Hills volcanic range and the Taita Hills near…
by Felix Gillen
Between Nairobi and the coast lie some of Kenya's most famous national parks: Amboseli at the foot of Kilimanjaro, the two Tsavo Parks on either side of the Mombasa Road, as well as the Chyulu Hills volcanic range and the Taita Hills near Voi. Elephants, lava fields, and clear springs characterize this dry savanna landscape.
Amboseli and KilimanjaroAmboseli National Park, on the border with Tanzania, is known for its elephant herds, researched here since 1972. Swamps like Enkongo Narok and Longinye are the park's lifelines, with Kilimanjaro in the background.Tsavo West and Tsavo EastThe A109 highway and the railway separate the two Tsavo parks. Tsavo West features volcanic landscapes, the Mzima Springs, and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. At 13,747 square kilometers, Tsavo East is the larger park, known for elephants in red dust, the Galana River, and the Yatta Plateau.Chyulu Hills and Taita HillsThe Chyulu Hills are young volcanoes with Leviathan Cave, one of the world's longest lava tubes. Their rainwater feeds the Mzima Springs. Near Voi, the Taita Hills rise with cloud forests and endemic birds, and at their foot lies the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
More places in Amboseli & Tsavo
Tsavo East National Park, located east of the Nairobi–Mombasa road, covers 13,747 square kilometers. It is known for its elephants, which wallow in the red dust, giving them a reddish shimmer.Vast, dry bush savanna, the Galana River with Lugard Falls, and watering holes like Aruba Dam and Mudanda Rock define the game drives.
Culture & History
Maasai around AmboseliThe people around Amboseli are predominantly Maasai. Since October 2025, the park's administration has been with Kajiado County; the Kenya Wildlife Service remains owner and retains oversight. The agreement provides for strong community involvement.The Man-eaters of TsavoDuring the construction of the Uganda Railway in 1898, two lions in Tsavo killed numerous workers until John Henry Patterson shot them. To this day, the railway runs right through the region, between Tsavo West and Tsavo East.Conservation with a Long HistoryAmboseli was designated as a reserve as early as 1906, and the two Tsavo Parks were established in 1948. Since 1972, Cynthia Moss's team has been researching the elephants of Amboseli. The elephant cow Echo is considered the most well-researched elephant in the world.
Getting There & Around
RoadMombasa Road (A109) is the main thoroughfare. Emali is the turn-off for Amboseli (Kimana Gate), while Mtito Andei and Voi provide access to Tsavo West and Tsavo East.Within the parks, roads are unpaved; an off-road vehicle is advisable.Rail & AirThe Madaraka Express Inter-County train stops, among other places, in Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, and Miasenyi. Check schedules in advance with Kenya Railways.Amboseli and several airstrips in Tsavo West, such as Kilaguni, are served by light aircraft.FeesNational Park entry fees are paid online in advance via eCitizen; no cash is accepted at the gate. According to the KWS tariff dated October 1, 2025, non-residents pay per adult per 24 hours: 90 USD for Amboseli, 80 USD for Tsavo West or Tsavo East, and 40 USD for the Chyulu Hills. For Amboseli, Kajiado County is now authorized to set fees; check the current price when booking.
