Tsavo West National Park.
Tsavo West National Park has aggressive topography with volcanic hills, rocky outcrops, and rich riverine forests. The park’s volcanic roots may be seen in its diverse topography, including the renowned Shetani Lava Flow, which is the product of recent volcanic activity.
It is the smaller of the two Tsavos, occupying 7,065 square kilometers. Tsavo West National Park is more accessible and has more attractions than Tsavo East.
Magnificent landscapes of heavily wooded hills dominate the north, which is home to the majority of safari lodges and game-viewing routes. The flatter south of Tsavo West has more open plains, but access is difficult because parts of the park are disconnected and intersected by another route between Voi and Taveta.
Mzima Springs is one of the park’s highlights, where crystal-clear water rises from beneath volcanic rock, producing a beautiful oasis that supports a variety of wildlife. This area is especially well-known for its hippo and crocodile populations, as well as its unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Because of the fertile volcanic soil and quantity of water, the park is teeming with animals, birds, and vegetation. Elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and different antelope species are among its most prominent inhabitants.
The park also contains the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, which is dedicated to the conservation of the endangered black rhinoceros.
Your safari guide will spot spotted hyenas, buffalo, the stunning Masai giraffe, and a variety of antelope, including Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, the most magnificent of the antelope.
The park has an impressive bird population of about 400 species, including eight different types of hornbills.
Visitors can participate in a variety of activities, including game drives, guided walks along the Tsavo River, and rock climbing in authorized spots.
The climate ranges from 20 to 300 °C with rainfall ranging from 200 mm to 700 mm. There are two rain seasons: long rains in March and April and brief rains in November/December.
Tsavo West National Park attractions.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
Ngulia Sanctuary is home to rare rhinos. The sanctuary was established to protect the lives of the park’s endangered black rhinos. It is a bastion and a bleeding place for black rhinos in Tsavo and Kenya as a whole. Since rhinos were introduced to the sanctuary, there has been a significant growth in their population.
The Ngulia rhino sanctuary is one of the primary attractions in the Tsavo West National Park, completing your African safari experience and leaving you with lasting memories.
Game drives.
The world’s most spectacular game viewing experiences, where you can see leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile, mongoose, hyrax, Oryx, dik dik, lesser kudu, Klipspringer, and nocturnal porcupine.
The park’s bird population is diverse, with 600 recorded species.
Diversity of plant species.
More than 1,000 plant species and a diverse ecology of bush, grasslands, and acacia woodlands interspersed with baobab, ivory palm, saltbush, doum palm, tamarind, and fig trees.
Cave investigation at the Shetani lava flow.
Lava flow investigation is another activity that visitors can enjoy. The molten lava that creates Shetani lava burst from the ground roughly 200 years ago, and according to local tradition, the burning fury was the work of the devil.
The Poacher’s Lookout and Roaring Rocks provide a panoramic view of the picturesque topography and wildlife movement.
Lake Jipe
Jipe Lake, which borders Kenya and Tanzania, is teeming with aquatic life, and bird viewing is a popular pastime in the area.
The gorgeous identical five sisters of Tsavo Hills are a volcanic feature that serves as a scenic backdrop for wildlife photography.
Chaimu Hill is distinctive and stands on its own.
Chaimu Hill, also known as the Devil’s Crater among the Kamba community, is an indigenous settlement that surrounds the Tsavo Conservation Area. There is a path up to the summit of the hill, making it possible to climb it. However, climbing the slopes is not always straightforward, as it can be challenging and slippery at times.
Best Time to Visit Tsavo West National Park.
The best time to visit Tsavo west National Park primarily revolves around the dry seasons and specific wildlife viewing opportunities.
Dry Season (June to October and December to February)
The grass is shorter and drier, making it easier to spot wildlife as animals congregate around limited water sources.
Expect higher visitor numbers and accommodation rates during these months, especially in July and August, due to international tourists coinciding with summer holidays in Europe and North America.
Wet Season (March to May and November)
The wet season is excellent for birding as migratory species are present, and the landscape becomes lush with vegetation. Visitor numbers are lower during this time, making for a more tranquil experience.
However, this season has got some challenges. Roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate, potentially limiting safari activities. Due to abundant food and water, wildlife may be more dispersed.
How to get to Tsavo West National Park.
Getting to the park is easy as there are different means one can use to get there, and these include;
By Air
Both scheduled and charter flights operate from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Mombasa’s Moi International Airport to these airports. Tsavo National Park can be accessed via many airstrips enabling quicker access, and these are:
- Voi Airstrip
- Aruba Airstrip
- Satao Airstrip
- Sala Airstrip
- Bachuma Airstrip
By Train
Trains running from Nairobi to Mombasa stop at the Tsavo Station, which is within the park.
By Road
The distance from Nairobi to Tsavo West’s Mtito Andei Gate is approximately 240 km (150 miles), taking around five hours to drive. For Tsavo East, the Manyani Gate is about 233 km (148 miles) southeast of Nairobi.
Tsavo West can be accessed from Mombasa via the Tsavo Gate, located about 200 km (125 miles) north of the city. The trip takes roughly four hours. Tsavo East is about 157 km (98 miles) northwest of Mombasa, with entry points like the Voi Gate and Buchuma Gate.
Book and plan your safari to Tsavo East National Park.
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