A family of four, who went missing in Tsavo East National Park, were successfully located and rescued on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, following a 24-hour search operation.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in collaboration with Tsavo Trust, mobilized air and ground resources to locate the family, who had deviated from their planned route.
Discovery on the Yatta Plateau
Tsavo Trust pilot Nick Haller spotted the missing family near Kabaguchi Ranger Camp on the Yatta Plateau, approximately 50 kilometers north of their intended route.
Haller landed his helicopter and confirmed that all four family members a couple and their two children were unharmed and in good health. Ground teams facilitated their safe extraction from the remote location.
Timeline of events
The family entered Tsavo East National Park on Saturday, April 5, planning a two-night camping trip at Luggards Falls Special Campsite. They were expected to exit via Sala Gate by Monday evening.
When they failed to check out by the 8:00 PM deadline, park authorities initiated a search.
The search began with ground teams clearing the Luggards Falls–Sala Gate route overnight. Abandoned camping gear was found at the campsite.
On Tuesday, aerial support was deployed, utilizing two fixed-wing aircraft and one helicopter. By 9:30 AM, the family was spotted on the Yatta Plateau by the Tsavo Trust pilot.
Unauthorized route and immobilized vehicle
Preliminary reports indicate the family’s vehicle became immobilized after they deviated from their authorized route during a game drive. Staying with their vehicle proved crucial in their eventual rescue.
Inter-Agency collaboration
The successful rescue operation highlights the effectiveness of Kenya’s emergency response protocols and the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
The operation involved two fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, a helicopter unit, ground teams from KWS and Tsavo Trust, and local ranger support.
The rescued family is undergoing routine medical evaluations and will soon be reunited with their loved ones. A full debriefing will be conducted to understand how they became disoriented.
KWS commended the family for their cooperation and composure during the ordeal. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s wildlife and visitor safety.
ALSO READ: Cape Media, KNCCI sign 3-year deal to boost MSMEs across Kenya
