The Red Elephants of Tsavo National Park

The red elephants of Tsavo National Park get the red color on their skin from the mud they roll in. They have this mud bath during the warm weather.

Table of Contents

✦ Safari in Tsavo National Parks

Kenya offers beautiful scenery, great game viewing, and a number of bucket list activities. It all depends on your budget and the season.

✦ The Red Elephants Of Tsavo

Just after a few meters after driving into the Tsavo National Park, it will not take you long before you spot the red elephants in the green vegetation.

You can choose to stop the van or the jeep and to wait patiently.

And within a few minutes, the elephants will be right there in front of you. Or they will be crossing the road, just feet away from our van. They will then peacefully walk away.

✦ Why do The Elephants Roll on The Mud?

The elephants have very sensitive skin. And during the warm weather, they take off some time from the grazing to go and drink the water at the water holes and rivers in the park. After drinking the water, they also take a bath with the mud.

The mud is red in color because it is from the red soil from the region.

When the mud is dry, it remains on their skin and their color change. Not only does the skin of the elephants become red, but also this mud bath helps to protect their skin and make their tusks shinny.

✦ What To Expect In Tsavo National Park

Last but not least, there is a possibility that you may not get to see all the big 5 on your first day of safari because wildlife is unpredictable. But in both Tsavo East and West National Parks, you can’t miss out to see the elephants.