Tsavo East National Park

One of Kenya's oldest and largest parks, Tsavo East is known for its red-dust elephants, whose skin is stained rust-red from dust baths in the park's iron-rich soil. It's also home to the dramatic Yatta Plateau — at nearly 300km long, the world's longest lava flow — and the Lugard Falls, where the Galana River is forced through a narrow rocky gorge. Tsavo East has a rugged, wide-open feel with far fewer vehicles than the more famous parks, making it a favourite for travellers who want an authentic, less-crowded safari. Lion, buffalo, and the occasional black rhino can also be spotted here, alongside some of the largest elephant herds left in Kenya.