The Tsavo Wilderness
Situated in Taita-Taveta County, Tsavo National Parks are one of the world’s oldest and largest animal conservancies. The parks consist of Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Both parks are dotted with scenic open grasslands, Acacia woodlands, rocky ridges, scrublands, belts of riverine vegetation and thousands of Wildlife that make for one of the most rewarding wild Safari experiences.
Tsavo East National Park
Sitting on 13, 747 km² of the former Tatu Deserts, Tsavo East National Park is the oldest and most prominent part of the Tsavo Conservancy. It became famous in the early 1890s as home to the man-eating lions that preyed on Mombasa- Kampala railway workers. The Tsavo plains were also the setting of the First World War colonial supremacy of East Africa between Britain and Germany. Yet, despite its dark beginnings, this park offers one of the most evocative wildlife tour experiences in Kenya.
Most of the area consists of open savanna and grasslands, upon which the palmed Galana River flows. Tsavo East’s popularity can be attributed to the vast wildlife collection present here including Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinos, Cape Buffalos (Africa’s Big Five), Velvet Monkey, and Waterbuck, among others. The park is also home to a variety of bird species including the African Lovebirds, the Grey Crowned crane, The Black Kite, and the African Sacred Ibis.
The Tsavo East National Park also borders the Chyulu Hills National Park and Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. This makes it easier for tourists to enjoy a Kenya/Tanzania Safari package.
Special Highlights
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The Yatta Plateau
A 300 Km Lava flow formed from the volcanic explosion of Ol-Doinyo Sabuk Mountain. Known to be the longest lava flow in the world, the Plateau runs along the western boundary of the park, above River Athi.
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The Mudanda Rock
This is a 1.6Km inselberg of rock that has a dam below it. Provide a crucial water catchment area for wildlife during the dry season.
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The Lugard Falls
Named after Sir. Frederick Lugard, a British soldier and an explorer of Africa, comprise a series of water rapids formed in River Galana.
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Aruba Dam
This is a man-made reservoir built-in 1952 across River Voi. It attracts thousands of animals and water birds every year.
Tsavo West National Park
Sitting on a 9,065 km² Tsavo West National Park is more mountainous and hosts the Mzima Springs and Lake Jipe. Tsavo West is popular for its magnificent scenery, vast wildlife, rock climbing, and good in-park road systems. It also has an archaeological history of early human settlement in the Tsavo rock shelters. Some of these shelters, dated early as 700 AD are still present at the conservancy.
The park also offers a superb rock climbing experience with elephants roaming the cliffs below, and falcons, eagles and vultures circling the crags. Most impressive is Kichwa Tembo, a 300 meters rock that inspired the ascent of the Great Tsavo chimney. The Ivory Tower elect on the Elephant rocks route, is ranked as the hardest, but most exciting bush rock climb in Kenya.
Tsavo West further boasts a wide variety of wildlife including Masai Giraffe, Eastern Black Rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, Hippopotamus, and the three major African Cats (Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah). With such richness, be assured that game drives during your Tsavo National Park safari will offer exceptional experiences.
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Special Highlights
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Mzima Springs
This is a spectacle of pools and springs that host large crocodile and hippo populations.
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Shetani Lava Flow
Meaning “Devil” in Swahili, this is an 8-kilometre long, and 1.6 kilometres wide lava flow that occurred when a volcano erupted from the earth 500 years ago.
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Chaimu Volcanic crater and lava field
Also known as “the devil’s crater” is a rising hill clad in black lava stones and grassy shrubs.
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Five Sister’s hills
these are five identical cone-shaped volcanic hills. They create a stunning photographic landscape with black lava outcrops and grassy fields.
Fact Files
Key Attractions: Game viewing, bird watching, camping and trekking.
Wildlife: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Dust-red Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Lesser Kudu, Waterbucks, Hirola and Gerenuk.
Birds: Over 500 recorded species of birds, both local and migratory.
Park Accessibility: The Park can be accessed via road or air
Road: From Nairobi, you will enter the park through the Mtito Andei Gates 233km south of Nairobi, along the Nairobi-Mombasa superhighway. From Malindi, use Sala gate, along Western Road.
Airstrips: Enjoy a flying package with convenient landing at Sala, Voi, Sangayaya, Cottars, Aruba, Ithumba, Mopeo and Bachuma airstrips.
