How to Get To Tsavo East N. Park

How to Get to Tsavo East National Park

Planning a trip to Tsavo East? There are several convenient ways to travel to the park depending on your preference for road, air, or even rail. Here’s a breakdown of the options:

  • By Road: Tsavo East is accessible via the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109), making it easy for visitors to travel by private vehicle or tour vans. The Voi Gate is the main entrance for visitors arriving from Nairobi or Mombasa.
  • By Bus: Long-distance buses traveling between Nairobi and Mombasa make stops near Voi Town. From there, you can organize a private transfer or taxi to the park.
  • By Air: For a quicker journey, several airstrips within the park (e.g., Voi Airstrip) accommodate chartered flights. Nairobi’s Wilson Airport offers flights that land directly at these airstrips.

Directions to Tsavo East National Park

To reach Tsavo East Park, follow these simple directions:

  • From Nairobi: Head southeast along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109) for approximately 233 km to reach the Mtito Andei Gate. This drive takes around 4 to 5 hours.
  • From Mombasa: Take the A109 Highway heading northwest for around 153 km to reach the Buchuma or Voi Gates. The drive from Mombasa takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
  • By Rail: The new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) offers an excellent alternative. You can board the Madaraka Express from either Nairobi or Mombasa, stopping at Voi Station, which is near the park.

How to Travel from Nairobi to Tsavo East

Traveling from Nairobi to Tsavo East is a scenic journey by road, train, or air.

  • By Road: The most common method is by road, with safari tours typically using 4×4 safari jeeps to cover the approximately 233 km to the park’s Mtito Andei Gate. Expect a 4-5 hour drive.
  • By Train: The Madaraka Express offers a fast and comfortable way to reach Voi from Nairobi in under 4 hours. From Voi, you can hire a vehicle or use pre-arranged transport to the park.
  • By Air: Charter flights are available from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to airstrips within Tsavo East, such as the Voi Airstrip. The flight takes just about 1 hour, ideal for travelers short on time.

1) Flight options to Tsavo East

Tsavo East is one of Kenya’s easiest “quick safari” parks because it sits between Nairobi and the Coast—and you can also fly in. The key reality: Tsavo flights are often either charter or safari-scheduled services that route through multiple airstrips, so timings vary by season, lodge circuit, and aircraft rotation. When building guest expectations, position flights as “time-saving” but not always “direct.”

How fly-in safaris typically work

  • Depart from Nairobi Wilson (most common for safari flights) or Mombasa for some charter connections.
  • Land at a Tsavo East airstrip (most commonly Voi, sometimes Aruba or Sala depending on lodge and routing).
  • Lodge/camp vehicles meet guests for the transfer (usually treated as a “game drive transfer” once you’re inside the park).

Expert booking tip: Ask the lodge which airstrip they prefer before ticketing. In Tsavo, a “wrong airstrip” can add a long transfer and waste peak wildlife hours.

2) Tsavo East airstrips

Tsavo East has several airstrips used for tourism and operations. For most travelers, only a few matter regularly:

Primary visitor airstrips

  • Voi Airstrip – commonly described as the main tourism airstrip for Tsavo East, widely used for lodge transfers.
  • Aruba Airstrip – described as being near Aruba Dam, useful for the central part of the park and lodges around that sector.
  • Sala Airstrip – referenced as an airstrip near the eastern side/Sala sector; frequently more relevant to itineraries approaching from the Coast side.

Why airstrips matter for planning: Tsavo is huge. Airstrip choice determines whether your transfer is a short hop or a long cross-park reposition.

3) Using the SGR train for Tsavo East (step-by-step)

For value + comfort, the SGR is one of the smartest ways to reach Tsavo East—especially for Coast travelers or Nairobi travelers who dislike long highway driving.

Step-by-step

  1. Book the Madaraka Express (Nairobi Terminus ↔ Mombasa Terminus).
  2. Select a service that stops at Voi (not all services stop at every station). Kenya Railways publishes schedules showing stops and times including Voi.
  3. Plan your onward connection:
    • Voi town transfer to the gate/lodge
    • Or meet your safari driver at the station for a direct park transfer

What to know about timing

  • Kenya Railways schedules can change, and some services are express while others are inter-county with more stops. Use the current published timetable as your source of truth.

Expert tip: If your goal is a same-day safari drive on arrival, aim to reach Voi with enough buffer to clear transfers and still enter the park during good light.

4) Road trip from Nairobi to Tsavo East

The route logic

  • Nairobi → Mombasa Road corridor (A109)
  • Enter Tsavo East via a west-side gate depending on your lodge sector and approach

Most-used gates for Nairobi approach

  • Voi Gate and Manyani Gate are commonly referenced as west-side access points for those coming from Nairobi.
  • Mtito Andei Gate is also referenced as a western entry option on the Nairobi–Mombasa corridor.

Driving reality (what guests should expect)

  • The highway portion is straightforward; the inside-park portion becomes safari tracks—slower, dustier, and highly seasonal.
  • If your lodge is deep in the park, arrival time is best framed as “variable,” not a fixed hour.

Expert tip: The best wildlife time is early morning and late afternoon. If driving from Nairobi, consider an overnight in/near Voi or enter the park early the next morning.

5) Road trip from Mombasa to Tsavo East

Tsavo East is one of the most logical “Coast safari” add-ons because it’s comparatively close to Mombasa.

Gate logic for Coast approach

  • Bachuma and Sala are commonly described as gates along the park’s eastern border, often used for coastal approaches.
  • Voi Gate is also frequently used depending on your routing and lodge.

Expert tip: If your lodge is in the central or western sector (around Aruba Dam / Voi area), you’ll often prefer gate routes that reduce cross-park driving.

6) Bus connections to Tsavo East (budget transport)

For budget travelers, buses primarily solve the Nairobi ↔ Voi / Mtito Andei / Mombasa corridor, not the final “inside the park” leg.

How it usually works

  • Take a bus to Voi (or Mtito Andei), then connect via:
    • taxi/private driver transfer to the gate/lodge, or
    • pre-arranged lodge pickup

Important expectation setting: Buses get you to towns and highway stops; you still need a park transfer to reach lodges and camps.

7) Transfer services to Tsavo East (commercial travel)

This is the easiest product to sell because it removes complexity.

What “transfer services” typically include

  • Pickup from Nairobi hotel/airport, Mombasa hotel/airport, or Voi SGR station
  • Direct transfer to gate/lodge
  • Option to convert the last section into a “game-drive transfer” (driver scans wildlife en route)

Expert tip: For Tsavo, transfers are not one-size-fits-all. Quote based on:

  • pickup point (Nairobi vs Mombasa vs Voi station)
  • lodge sector (Voi/Aruba vs Sala vs far north)
  • whether the transfer is pure transport or includes wildlife viewing

8) Safari pickups (hotel, airport, station)

A high-converting pickup section should clearly list pickup nodes:

Common pickup points

  • Nairobi city hotels / JKIA / Wilson
  • Mombasa city hotels
  • Diani (longer drive—usually priced differently)
  • Voi SGR station (high-demand, highly practical)

Expert operations tip: If you do station pickups, include a simple instruction set:

  • which exit to meet at
  • driver signboard naming convention
  • buffer time for platform delays

9) Navigation tips inside Tsavo East (how not to get lost)

Tsavo East is vast and can feel disorienting because it’s not a “loop road park.” People get turned around when they underestimate distances between landmarks.

Practical navigation rules

  • Plan by sectors, not “minutes.” Your lodge sector determines the day’s loop.
  • Use key anchor points:
    • Aruba Dam (major game-viewing area)
    • Mudanda Rock / Lugard Falls / Yatta Plateau as long-loop anchors (popular attractions commonly used in day plans)
  • Avoid cross-park drives late in the day unless necessary—getting caught far from your lodge after sunset is stressful and unproductive.

Best practice: If self-driving, download offline maps and keep a conservative fuel/time buffer.

10) Fuel stations near Tsavo East (refuel before entry)

The golden rule: Fuel up before you go in. Inside-park fueling cannot be assumed.

Most practical refuel towns

  • Voi (key staging town for Tsavo East)
  • Mtito Andei (useful on the Nairobi–Mombasa corridor)

Shell’s station locator confirms service stations in Voi and Mtito Andei, which are among the most reliable “last fuel” options for many itineraries.

Expert tip: Tell guests to top up in Voi even if the gauge looks fine—Tsavo distances + slow tracks + wildlife stops increase consumption.

Tsavo East National Park Entry Fees

Before entering Tsavo East National Park, make sure you’re familiar with the park’s entry fees. For non-residents, the daily fee is approximately:

  • Adults: $80USD for adult non-residents
  • Children: $43 USD for children aged 5 to 17, non-residents.
  • For Kenyan citizens and East African residents, fees are significantly lower, and payment can be made via Mpesa, card, or cash at the gates. If you plan to stay longer, you can pay the fees for multiple days at once.

Distance from Mombasa to Tsavo East

Wondering how far Tsavo East is from Mombasa? The park is about 153 km from the coastal city. By road, the drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. The most direct route is along the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, with Voi Gate being the most common entrance for visitors arriving from Mombasa.

Everything You Need to Know About Tsavo East Gates

There are multiple entry gates to access Tsavo East National Park, each offering different levels of accessibility depending on where you’re coming from:

  • Voi Gate: The most popular and easily accessible gate for travelers from both Nairobi and Mombasa.
  • Mtito Andei Gate: Ideal for visitors coming from Nairobi. It’s located about 233 km from Nairobi and provides a scenic entrance to the park.
  • Buchuma Gate: This gate is more convenient for those coming from Mombasa, located about 100 km from the city.
  • Sala Gate: A more remote gate on the eastern side, providing access for visitors coming from the Malindi coastal region.

Gate Hours: The gates are open daily from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, with early entry advised for the best wildlife viewing.

FAQs on Getting to Tsavo East National Park

1. What is the best way to get to Tsavo East from Nairobi?

  • Answer: The best way is by road or train. By road, the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109) takes around 4-5 hours. Alternatively, the Madaraka Express train to Voi takes about 4 hours, followed by a short transfer to the park.

2. Can I fly directly to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Yes, you can charter a flight to the Voi Airstrip or other airstrips within the park from Wilson Airport in Nairobi. The flight takes around 1 hour.

3. Is public transportation available to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Yes, long-distance buses between Nairobi and Mombasa stop at Voi Town, from where you can take a taxi or private transfer to Tsavo East. However, a private or guided safari vehicle is recommended for entering the park.

4. Which gate should I use to enter Tsavo East?

  • Answer: If you’re coming from Nairobi, the Mtito Andei Gate is the most convenient, while from Mombasa, the Voi or Buchuma Gates are ideal. For visitors from the coastal region, Sala Gate is a good option.

5. How far is Tsavo East from Mombasa?

  • Answer: Tsavo East is about 153 km from Mombasa, with a driving time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours along the A109 Highway.

6. Can I use the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to reach Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Yes, the Madaraka Express SGR service runs between Nairobi and Mombasa, stopping at Voi. From Voi, you can arrange a transfer to the park.

7. What is the condition of the road from Nairobi to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is generally in good condition and is a smooth drive. However, traffic can be heavy near urban areas, so it’s best to start early.

8. Do I need a 4×4 vehicle to visit Tsavo East?

  • Answer: A 4×4 safari vehicle is highly recommended, especially during the rainy season when some roads within the park can become muddy and challenging for standard cars.

9. What time do the gates open and close?

  • Answer: The gates to Tsavo East are open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. It’s recommended to arrive early for the best wildlife viewing.

10. Is there a train service from Mombasa to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Yes, the Madaraka Express from Mombasa to Voi takes around 2 hours. From Voi, it’s a short drive to the park’s gates.

11. Can I drive myself to Tsavo East National Park?

  • Answer: Yes, you can drive yourself to Tsavo East. The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109) provides easy access to the park’s main gates. However, it’s advisable to use a 4×4 vehicle, especially within the park.

12. Are there car rental services available for self-drive to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Yes, car rental services are available in Nairobi and Mombasa. Most rental companies offer 4×4 safari vehicles, which are ideal for navigating the park’s rough terrain.

13. How far in advance should I book a flight or train to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: It’s recommended to book your charter flight or Madaraka Express train tickets at least 2-3 weeks in advance, especially during the high season (June to October and December).

14. Is there a train station inside Tsavo East National Park?

  • Answer: No, the train stations closest to Tsavo East are in Voi and Mtito Andei. From these stations, you can arrange a transfer to the park.

15. What are the road conditions like inside Tsavo East National Park?

  • Answer: Inside the park, roads can be rough, especially during the rainy season. A 4×4 vehicle is necessary to navigate the unpaved roads and ensure a smooth safari experience.

16. Can I visit Tsavo East as a day trip from Nairobi or Mombasa?

  • Answer: Yes, a day trip is possible from either Nairobi or Mombasa, but it requires an early start. From Nairobi, expect about 4-5 hours of driving each way. From Mombasa, it’s around 2.5 to 3 hours each way, making it a more feasible option.

17. Do I need a guide for a self-drive safari in Tsavo East?

  • Answer: While a guide is not mandatory for a self-drive safari, it’s highly recommended for first-time visitors. A guide can greatly enhance the experience by pointing out wildlife, explaining the park’s ecology, and ensuring you follow the best routes.

18. What are the fuel stations available along the way to Tsavo East?

  • Answer: There are fuel stations in Voi and Mtito Andei, as well as along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109). Be sure to fill up your tank before entering the park, as there are no fuel stations inside.

19. Can I combine a visit to Tsavo East and Tsavo West in one trip?

  • Answer: Yes, Tsavo East and Tsavo West can be combined in a single trip, especially since they are adjacent parks. There are gates like Mtito Andei that connect both parks. It’s recommended to spend at least 2-3 days to fully explore both parks.

20. What are the main landmarks to look for while driving inside Tsavo East?

  • Answer: Some key landmarks include the Galana River, Lugard Falls, Mudanda Rock, and the Yatta Plateau. These spots are ideal for wildlife sightings and scenic photography.