Family of four found safe after missing inside Tsavo East National Park

A couple and their two children who were reported missing in Tsavo East National Park have been located and are now safe, bringing an end to a tense overnight operation.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the family was found on Tuesday morning in the northern region of the park after being off course for nearly 24 hours.

The group was discovered near Kabaguji Rangers Camp, deep in the Yatta area and about 50 kilometres from where they were originally supposed to exit the park.

Tsavo Trust pilot Nick Hailer spotted them during a morning patrol and was able to land his helicopter to check on their condition.

“They were found near Kabaguji Rangers Camp. Their status is all okay, and they are currently being driven by rangers back to their camp before exiting the park,” KWS said.

The family had entered Tsavo East through the Manyani Gate on Saturday at 5:40 pm and had planned to camp at Luggards Falls Special Campsite for two nights.

They were expected to leave via Sala Gate by Monday evening. When they did not appear by 8 pm, KWS officers quickly launched a ground search.

Initial efforts focused on the track between the campsite and Sala Gate.

Officers using two Land Cruisers scouted the route and found abandoned camping items at the site, prompting further concern.

Before dawn on Tuesday, the operation was intensified with aerial support, involving two fixed-wing planes and one helicopter scanning different sections of the park.

At around 9:30 am, the breakthrough came when Hailer sighted the family while flying over the remote Yatta Plateau. He landed, confirmed they were uninjured, and notified the ground teams to move in.

“The safety of our visitors remains a priority, and we are relieved to have found the family safe,” said KWS.

Rangers are currently guiding the family back toward their original campsite, from where they will exit the park.