TSAVO NATIONAL PARK KENYA
About Tsavo national park Kenya: Tsavo national park is situated in the south western Kenya and it is amongst the most visited Kenya safari destinations in Kenya. This Tsavo national park is one of the largest parks in Kenya, however, it was split into 2 for easy management thus coming up with Tsavo East national park and Tsavo west national park. This park is famous for harboring a large population of lions thus the term “MAN EATERS OF TSAVO”. Other animals protected in Tsavo national park include a large heard of Elephants, Buffaloes, Aardwolf, Bushbuck, cheetah, Bush babies, Dik dik, Duikers, African wild dogs, Eland, Grant’s gazelle, Bat-eared fox, Masai giraffe, hartebeest, galago, Spotted hyena, mongoose, Gerenuk, Impala, Kudu, jackal, Porcupines, Oryx, Otters, Reedbucks, Black rhinoceros, warthogs, Zebras and many other animals that call Tsavo national park their home.
Tsavo East National Park “the Theatre of the Wild” and Tsavo west national park “the Land of Lava, springs, Man-Eaters and Magical Sunsets” were split by the railway but combining these 2 parks makes up a total area of about 23,000 Square Kilometers out of which 13,747 Square Kilometers is covered by Tsavo East National park and the remaining 9,065 km2 is occupied by Tsavo west national park. With this park size, Tsavo national park remains the largest park in Kenya and yet the oldest as it was gazette in 1948 to protect its diverse fauna and flora species.
Tsavo national park obtained its name from River Tsavo that reverses the park from West to East. The park is bordering Chyulu Hills national park as well as Mkomazi Game Reserve all located in Tanzania the bordering country to Kenya in the South.
The vegetation cover of Tsavo national park consists of semi-arid and savanna grassland, mountains, and woodlands which all act as a habitat for several wildlife species. Both Tsavo east national park and Tsavo west national park have a great vegetation for wildlife viewing and the parks harbor abundant of wildlife including the Man Eaters and many more. Actually during the construction of the railway that separate Tsavo East National park and Tsavo West national park, the lions used to attack the workers and sometimes kill them but today, these lions are a major tourist attraction of the park thus if you hear about Tsavo national park, the 1st thing to think about are the Man eating lions.
Tsavo National park is one of those parks managed by the Kenya Wildlife services (KWS) which is a managing body for all the protected parks in Kenya thus it helps in protecting and conserving this park.
The entrance fees to Tsavo national park just like other safari destinations in Kenya are categorized according to residence status and the age group. For instance, foreign nonresident adults pay 52 USD for entrance fees while the children pay 40USD. The entrance fees enable tourists to access the park and they are always paid on a daily basis valid for 24 hours. For foreign Residents and East Africans, their entrance fees can be paid in Kenyan shillings. The fees are similar for both Tsavo East national park and Tsavo West national park. The entrance fees can be paid at the park entrance depending in which gate you access the park from. Some of the gates used to access Tsavo national park include Chyulu gate, Jipe gate, Maktau gate, Kasigau gate and Mbuyuni gate which are for Tsavo West national park. While for Tsavo East national park, tourists access the park through Sala gate, Voi gate, Manyani gate and Buchuma gate.
Attractions in Tsavo national park
Tsavo national park is such a beautiful safari destination worth a visit while on your Kenya wildlife tour. The park has a lot to offer you ranging from wildlife species including Rhinos, Hartebeests, Hippos, Elephants, Impalas, Oryx, Giraffes, Kudus and many more
Apart from wildlife, Tsavo national park as well is has other stunning tourist attractions including;
Mzima springs: These springs contain clean water that originate from Chyulu hills. These springs are in fact source of water to different wildlife species in the park. Mzima springs are as well the best spots for Crocodiles and Hippos in Tsavo national park basically in the western part of Tsavo national park Kenya which is in Tsavo west national park. There are lots of primates species to be seen in the tree branches of Mzima springs and these include Vervet monkeys and abundant of birdlife.
Ngulia Rhino sanctuary: Ngulia rhino sanctuary is yet a stunning tourist attraction worth a visit on your next Kenya safari as it enables tourists to encounter with the endangered Rhinos in their sanctuary where they are being protected. Ngulia Rhino sanctuary is locate at Ngulia hill. While on a visit to Ngulia Rhino sanctuary, tourists are rewarded with an encounter with other wildlife species that reside in the same sanctuary including elephants, and many other animals plus the nocturnal animals.
Shetani lava flow: This Lava was named Shetani because of its black color and the way it was flowing from deep underground to the surface and then it folds while flowing down to the savanna plains. While on a visit to view shetani lava, tourists are rewarded with an encounter with different species of animals and birdlife.
Galana River: Galana River from the highlands in Kenya is yet another fascinating tourist attraction in Tsavo National park thrilling in the eastern part of the park specifically in Tsavo East national park. Galana River attracts plenty animals that visit it especially during hot scotching sun and in the dry season. Galana River flows straight from Kenya highlands to the Indian Ocean. While on a visit to Galana River, be sure to view several animals including crocodiles, Hippos and many more.
Yatta plateau: Yatta plateau is found in the eastern part of Tsavo national park and is as well such a beautiful attraction of the park. Yatta plateau was formed due to lava flow and it is located in between Tavi River and Athi River.
Lugard falls: Along River Galana lies this majestic Lugard waterfalls that obtained their name just after Captain Fredrick Lugard who came crossed through Tsavo national park on his exploration mission in Africa. These waterfalls are as well one of the best wildlife viewing spots in Tsavo national park. At the bottom of the Lugard waterfalls exists a pool of water where several animals congest to quench their thirst.
Mubanda rocks: Mubanda rocks are such great and stunning tourist attractions of Tsavo national park. Located in Tsavo East national park, Mubanda rocks can easily be viewed from Manyani entrance gate. There are water catchment areas around the Mubanda rocks where animals can easily be spotted during dry season.
Aruba dam: This dam like any other water catchment areas is one of the best tourist attraction in the park where plenty of animals can be seen. Aruba dam is situated in the eastern part of the park east of Voi entrance gate in Tsavo East national park. Some of the animals commonly seen along Aruba dam include Buffaloes, waterbucks, Giraffes, zebras, duikers, elephants, warthogs, elephants, and many more. The best time to view these animals along Aruba dam is during the dry months.
Tsavo River: Tsavo River was the origin of the park’s name. This river traverses the Eastern part of the park where it then connects with River Galana and River Athi before it drains into the Indian Ocean.
Some of the activities to participate in during a Kenya safari to Tsavo East National park include; Game drives both Morning, afternoon and evening game drives, Nature walks, birding and bird watching, hiking, to mention but a few.
How to get to Tsavo national park
Depending on which part of the park one intends to visit, be it the Eastern or Western, Tsavo national park can both be accessed by road and by Air.
By road transfer, tourists can access Tsavo national park along Nairobi-Mombasa highway and enter through any of the park’s entrance gates.
While by air, Tsavo national park can be accessed by taking a domestic/ charter flight to one of the airstrips in the park including Bachuma airstrip, Satao airstrip, Voi airstrip, Sala airstrip, Aruba airstrip, Ithumba airstrip among others.
Where can one stay during a Kenya Safari to Tsavo national park;
There is a variety of accommodations to sleep in during your next adventure to Tsavo national park and they range from Budget, Midrange and luxury options depending on what exactly the client wants as well as the client’s budget. Some of the accommodations are inside the park while others are outside the park but in close vicinity a few minutes’ drive to the park entrance gates. These include; Rhino valley lodge, Sarova salt lick lodge, Kiboko camp, Finch Hattons camp, Severin safari camp, Ashnil Aruba lodge, Lions bluff lodge, Voi wildlife lodge, Red elephants, Manyatta camp, Voyager Ziwani safari camp, and many more.
Conclusion;
“Get in touch with the best tour consultant to plan your next Kenya adventurous safari to Tsavo National park and any other destinations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and DRCongo”
