Tsavo is comprised of 2 separate parks; the Tsavo West N/Park and Tsavo East N/Park. Both national parks combined are ranked the largest in Kenya and also among the world’s most popular and extensive protected areas. These protected areas are separated by the railway that runs from Mombasa to the interior of Kenya.
Tsavo West/East National Parks straddle along the Kenyan Coast Province between Nairobi Capital and Mombasa. They extend to cover the land area of about 22000sq.kms and they are among the premier big five destinations in Kenya, East Africa. While these 2 parks are known for their significant profusion of big game, they aren’t famous like the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. This is attributed to their low game densities and challenges to sight wildlife within the dense acacia woodland.
Tsavo West lies along the Coast Province of Kenya, occupying over 9065sq.kms of land area and its counterpart-The Tsavo East sits on the south-eastern part of Kenya close to Voi Town, Taita-Taveta District and occupies over 13747sq.kms of land area. Tsavo West was founded in 1948 making it one of the oldest conservation areas in the Magical Kenya.
Tsavo National Parks are famous not only for their huge profusion of wildlife but also significant geological features including Lugard Falls and Mudanda Rock. The Mudanda Rock overviews the natural dam, a significant spot to see elephants and several savanna dwellers especially as they confine here during the dry season for water. The other iconic features include Aruba Dam and Yatta Plateau.
Wildlife of Tsavo West and East national parks.
The 2 extensive savanna parks are popular for their biodiversity, protecting a distinct collection of animal species. These include the large herds of elephants-spotted in red dust given the nature of the soil, black rhinos, cape buffaloes, lions, crocodiles, over 500 bird species and these are spotted in the Tsavo East N/Park Kenya. Other species of wildlife include Bat eared fox, Grant’s gazelles, blue duikers, African wild dog, bush bucks, yellow baboons, rusty spotted genet, spotted hyenas, dwarf mongoose, Syke’s monkeys, leopard, impalas, Kudus, red squirrel, reed buck and Grevy’s zebras.
Tsavo West Kenya protects diverse species in its lush grassland, woodland and shrub land. The animal species to expect to come across in Tsavo West include cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, Masai lion, hippos, black rhinos, bush babies, Kudus, hartebeest, birds like Basra reed warblers, common white throat, black faced sand grouse, narina trogon, pangani longclaw, somali bee-eater, red backed shrike, slender tailed nightjar, taita fiscal, Shelley’s starlings, martial eagle to mention but a few.
Away from the beautiful wildlife, other unique features in Tsavo West include Lake Jipe, Mzima Springs, swamps and many more. The black rhinos in Tsavo Protected Areas are confined within the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, where most of them are bred from. Over 8000 black rhinos as of 1970 existed here but unfortunately, their population sharply reduced to 20 due to poaching and other threatening factors.
Top activities to do while in Tsavo N/Park, Kenya.
A safari to Tsavo National Park can never leave you the same. There is a lot to keep you excited and most importantly, these protected areas offer the best game viewing experience, bird watching, cultural experiences, rock climbing and others.
When to visit Kenya’s Tsavo N/Parks?
The dry months are the most preferred by majority of Tsavo holidaymakers especially if you are to enjoy the best of game viewing experience. These drier months fall within June, July, August, September, October or January, February of every year in the magical Kenya.
However, the parks are not closed during the wet or rainy months of November, April and May. Holidays can still be arranged even during these months although the challenge is that they are characterized by heavy downpour unlike the drier months which experiences very minimal or no rains.
Where to stay?
The key areas to consider for overnight while on Tsavo holiday include Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Salt Lick Safari Lodge, Voyager Ziwani Camp, Taita Hills Game Lodge and Lions Bluff Lodge.
Access to Tsavo West/East National Parks.
The Tsavo Conservation Area (Tsavo East & West) is accessible via the designated gates especially Sala Gate, Voi Gate, Manyani Gate. These are ideal for Kenya holidaymakers who are interested in visiting Tsavo East whereas Tsavo West is reachable via Chyulu Gate, Mtito Gate-approximately 240kms from Nairobi or Man Eaters Gate among other gates.
By air, Tsavo holidaymakers can fly from Nairobi to existing airstrips especially at Kamboyo, Finch Hottons, Maktau airstrips, Kilaguni, Jipe and others.
