Tsavo National Park in Kenya used to be one park but later was separated by the Mombasa or Nairobi road from Tsavo East, Tsavo West that makes up the great Tsavo eco-system. The park drives its name from Tsavo River that over flows from West to East in the park, and is the only protected area in Kenya that allows night game drives. The park was established to protect wildlife, birds and physical features in the surrounding areas. Apart from wildlife, the park has a lot of beautiful features you will need to see.
Tsavo East National Park
The park was gazetted in1948, and is one of the oldest park in the country, covering over 13,747sqkms.The park lies within a Semi-arid zone that was formerly referred to as ‘Taru Desert’ and is close to Voi town in Taita -Taveta County, of the former coast province of Kenya. The park borders the Chulu hills National Park and Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. The park is generally flat and with dry plain across which River Galana flows.
Tsavo West National Park
Located in the southern border with Tanzania, it’s one of the largest protected areas in Africa with 9000sqkms. The vast protected area is famous for its red skinned elephants and the story of the man eaters of Tsavo that became a big challenge during 1898 and led to a halt in the construction of Mombasa Nairobi railway. The park is mountainous, wet with swamps, lakes like Jipe, and springs like Mzima.
How to access Tsavo National Park
Both parks can be accessed by road and air transport. By Air transport, for chartered flights in Kenya, the best airstrips are: Mtito Andei, Jipe, Mkaktau, Ziwani, Kasigau, Tsavo and Chyulu gate. For both parks.
Tsavo East
By road transport, you can use private or public means, it’s southeast of Nairobi, about 173km Northwest of Mombasa. And connect to the park through Bachuma gate, Manyani ate for those connecting from Voi, and Sala gate for those from Malindi.
Tsavo West
By road transport, the park is 27km from Nairobi, you can use Mtito Andei gate and 188km from Mombasa, you can use Tsavo gate. With use of either with public or private means.
What to park on a Safari to Tsavo National Park
On your trip, please carry long and short trousers, and shirts, sunglasses, sunscreens, a camera, binoculars, notebook, guide book, camping equipment, bottled drinking water, comfortable shoes, sandals, among others.
Things to do on a Tsavo National Park adventure
Activities in both parks are more or less the same. A slight difference lies in landscape. The best activities to engage in are as follows:
Game drives
These are arranged for to have clear views of wildlife in the area. In Tsavo you can even enjoy game drives at night which is not done in other of the parks in Kenya. You will be able to see almost all animals in the park.
Bird watching
This activity is commonly enjoyed in the first season of the rainy season when migratory birds visit the park.
Rock climbing
You will enjoy this activity on one of the rocks in the park and get amazing views at the peak.
Nature walks
Take time and tour the park. You will be able to enjoy what you will see, You will explore the whole area on foot while you see wildlife and birds.
Cultural walks
Visit locals in the area and enjoy their unique cultures.
When to visit Tsavo National Park
Both parks can be visited throughout the year but the most ideal season is the dry season which runs from June-October and January- February. The wet season runs from November-December and from March- May.
The dry season
The season is characterized of sunny weather almost throughout and wildlife in the park is easily spotted since the grasses are short.
The park is dry enough and trails are passable for those on walk safaris. There less risks of tourists catching malaria. Sometimes it gets so dry and dusty in the park and haze might affect clear views.
The wet Season
The period is characterized of short and long rains. During this period, the park has the best views, with green vegetation, flowers, and clear views for there is no haze.
During short rains, wildlife can still be seen in the park. Since it’s a low season, low rates for accommodation and tickets may apply.
This period, from October to January is the peak season for birds watching, with the presence of migratory birds. The period of long rains (April -May) however, may disorganize game drives and wildlife viewing, roads may be impassable.
Safari Attractions to see at Tsavo National Park
The parks have so many things that you will want to see, but the best of both parks are as follows.
Beautiful Scenery
Enjoy the scenic view of the park. The park has green vegetation, baobab trees, hills, lakes and rivers, wildlife in the area, birds, and spots where you can view Mountain Kilimanjaro.
Shetani Lava Flow
Located in Tsavo West, at the entrance of Chyulu gate, lies the lava flow. Locals named it devil’s flow as it is translated in Swahili 500 hundred years ago when they didn’t know what it meant. The flow is 8km long, 1.6km wide, and 5km deep.
Chaimu Volcanic Crater and Lava field
Chaimu cater, is located in Tsavo West, also called ‘the devil’s crater’ in Kamba language, and is amazing to see. You can also try to climb up to the top although it’s not easy, the recent volcano has a path that you can use to penetrate it.
Five Sister’s Hills
Located in Tsavo West, these are identical cone shaped hills that are amazing to see. You can climb the top of these hills and enjoy beautiful views of the area.
Mzima Springs
These are located in Tsavo West, the springs have water that comes from underground streams, flowing from the nearby Chyulu Hills. The waters are white, and amazing to see. These are water sources for Mombasa city. You will also see wildlife in the area.
Wildlife
The parks are known to have a great number of wildlife. These can be watched on game drives, and on walk safaris. The best views can be got along water bodies when animals come for a drink. Await to have clear views of antelopes (duikers, water bucks, impalas, gerenuk, Oryx, gazelles, Hirola, suni, Coke’s hartebeests and lesser kudus ), Lions, leopards, buffalos, cape buffaloes, elephants, primates (vervet monkeys, bush babies, yellow baboons greater galagos, sykes monkeys ) Africa hunting dogs, bat eared foxes, African Civets, squirrels, Serval and clawless Otters, large spotted genets, crested porcupines, side striped jackals, Masai giraffes, crocodiles, common zebras, Grevy’s zebras, hippos, cheetahs, aardwolf, rat species, Mongooses (dwarf mongoose, Marsh mongoose, white tailed mongoose, banded mongoose, slender mongoose, and Egyptian Mongoose) among others especially in the dry season. Wildlife in Tsavo East better viewed for the park is dry and the grass is short. Tsavo West is wet with taller grasses.
Birds
Both parks have over 500 species of birds that will be at your disposal once you visit the park. These are joined with the migratory birds that come in the rainy season and with the help of binoculars, you will enjoy clear views of the likes of weaver birds, kingfishers, herons, secretary birds, ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, hornbills, golden breasted starling, lovebirds, African Fin foot, sacred ibis, Taita falcon, Somali bee eaters, Somali breasted bunting, grey crowned cranes, slender tailed night jar, Rosy Patched bush shrike, vulturine guineafowl, eastern chanting goshawk, eagles, sunbirds, black kites, Rufous chartterer, and Northern brownbul, among others.
Mudanda Rock
This lies in Tsavo East and it’s strategically located and acts as a water catchment that supplies a natural dam below it. Animals especially elephants can be found in the area.
Yatta Plateau
Lies in Tsavo East, is the world’s longest lava flow, with 29km was formed by lava from Ol Doninyo Sabuk Mountain. It runs along the western boundary of the park above the Athi River. Come and have a look at this remarkable feature.
Lugard Falls
Located in Tsavo East, along Galana River, lies the breathtaking falls that you should see. They were named after Fredrick Lugard. You will enjoy a series of white rapid water flow.
Aruba Dam
The dam lies in Tsavo East, it was created in 1952, as a reservoir but it is meeting point for wildlife in the area. You will enjoy views of dam and wildlife.
Accommodation options to stay at Tsavo National Park
There’s abundant accommodation in different categories for tourists and these include:
Luxury include: Finch Hatton’s, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sarova Salt Lick, Game Lodge, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Kipalo Hills Lodge and many more.
Midrange include: Manyatta Camp, AHG Kuwinda Tented Camp Eco Lodge, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge, and Severin Safari Camp among others.
Budget include: Sentrim Tsavo Camp and Lake Jipe Safari Camp among others.
In conclusion, the park is an adventurous place and one of the must see places of Kenya. Plan your tour early and have an amazing time in Kenya.
