Few animal stories are as well known as the Tsavo man-eaters. It is also a story that grew in the telling, so it helps to separate what is documented from what is legend. This guide covers both, then looks at what you can see in the Tsavo region today.
What happened in 1898
In 1898, while the Uganda Railway was being built, two maneless male lions killed at least 28 workers building a bridge over the Tsavo River. Some accounts put the toll much higher, with figures of up to 135 quoted, so treat any single number with care. The railway engineer, Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Patterson, shot both animals.
Why the story still matters
It is a reminder of how wild this country was when the railway cut through it, and why Tsavo has a reputation for being rugged compared with the better-known Maasai Mara. For more on how the parks compare, read Maasai Mara vs Amboseli vs Tsavo.
Tsavo West today
Tsavo West National Park covers about 9,065 square kilometres in Taita-Taveta County. The A109 road and a railway separate it from Tsavo East National Park. Wildlife includes eastern black rhino, hippo, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion, along with Masai giraffe. Mzima Springs is known for its hippos and crocodiles.
What to expect on a visit
- Lions are present, but sightings are never guaranteed. See how lions behave.
- A good guide makes a big difference. See how to choose a driver-guide.
- Stay in the vehicle except at designated places and follow your guide’s instructions.
Plan your Tsavo trip
Our guides to Tsavo East and Tsavo West, Tsavo East and the red elephants of Tsavo cover the practical side. Tsavo also combines well with the coast; see safari and beach holidays.
The timeline of 1898
Construction of the railway bridge over the Tsavo River began in March 1898, and the killings started around the same time. Several thousand workers from India were housed in camps spread over about 13 kilometres. By late 1898 the attacks had intensified and workers fled, which halted construction. Patterson shot the first lion on 9 December 1898 and the second on 29 December, twenty days later. The crew returned in February 1899 and the bridge was finished.
How many people did they kill?
In his 1908 book, The Man-eaters of Tsavo, Patterson claimed 135 victims. A 2001 review of his own journal suggested a toll of 28 to 31, because the journal mentions only workers from India. A 2009 isotope study estimated that one lion ate about 10.5 people and the other about 24.2, and said a combined toll as high as 72 remained possible. Other researchers caution that diet estimates like these can differ considerably from the truth, so the real figure is still uncertain.
Where the lions are now
Patterson used the skins as floor rugs for about 25 years. In 1924 he sold them to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for $5,000. The lions were reconstructed and are now on permanent display there with their skulls. Both were maneless males, a trait linked to the Tsavo region.
Frequently asked questions
What were the Tsavo man-eaters?
Two maneless male lions that killed at least 28 railway workers at a Tsavo River bridge in 1898. Some accounts give much higher numbers.
Who killed the Tsavo man-eaters?
Lieutenant-Colonel John Henry Patterson shot both lions.
Are there lions in Tsavo West today?
Yes, along with elephant, black rhino, buffalo and leopard, though sightings are never guaranteed.
How big is Tsavo West?
About 9,065 square kilometres.
Where are the Tsavo man-eaters today?
At the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, where the reconstructed lions are on permanent display. Patterson sold the skins to the museum in 1924.
When did the Tsavo attacks happen?
From about March 1898, when bridge construction began. Patterson shot the two lions on 9 and 29 December 1898.
Want help planning? Talk to our team and tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you would like to see.
Facts checked on 5 November 2026 from Wikipedia’s Tsavo Man-Eaters and Tsavo West National Park entries (secondary sources). Death tolls for 1898 vary between accounts.
