Perhaps you ever had a chance to watch the film, The Man-eaters of Tsavo or even The Ghost and the Darkness? The last time I did it, got me thinking. What exactly happened in Tsavo? Long story short “ The man Eaters” of Tsavo referred to a pair of Maneless male lions that attacked and killed over 35 railway construction workers at Tsavo national park back in 1898 the horrific attacks almost brought to a halt the construction works of the Mombasa-lake Victoria railway. The pair of man-eating lions were finally killed by Lt Col Patterson who was in charge of the Bridge building project at the Tsavo River.
Tsavo National park today
The park gets the name from the Tsavo River that runs across the park, Tsavo is made up of two parts Tsavo East and Tsavo West parks set apart by the Nairobi- Mombasa highway, each with its own unique features.
So, what is Tsavo East National park?
The biggest of Kenya’s parks at 13,747km², today the Park offers great wildlife viewing, all of the Big Five are found here, the red dust coating Elephants are common, Lions, Buffalos, zebras and lots of Masai giraffes can be seen in the park.
Highlights of Tsavo East
• Dust -red elephants around the Galana River.
• Aruba Dam – This is a great wildlife viewing point as lots of animals gather around for a drink.
• Mudanda Rock – A 1.6 km inselberg of stratified rock that acts as a water catchment that supplies a natural dam below. It offers an excellent vantage point for the hundreds of elephants and other wildlife that come to drink during the dry season.
• Yatta Plateau –world’s longest lava flow (290km), that was formed from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain
• Lugards Falls – Lugard Falls, named after Frederick Lugard, is a series of white water rapids on the Galana River.
Getting there by road
The park has 3 gates, Mtito Andei gate which is 233km south of Nairobi, and 250km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi-Mombasa highway. From Mombasa, there is Voi main gate 153km of Mombasa-Nairobi highway. Driving from Malindi it takes the western road (103) and enters the park via Sala gate.
Getting there by air
Tsavo East National Park has several Airstrips however there are currently no scheduled flights but charter flights can be arranged to and from international Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO), 15km southeast of Nairobi; and Moi International Airport (MBA), 10km west of Mombasa. The airstrips include; Vio, Aruba, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Sangayaya, Mopeo, Bachuma, and Sattar.
Best time to go
The park can be visited all year round with the optimum timing being June through October and January to February the vegetation is denser which makes it easy for wildlife viewing. For bird lovers, November to April happens to be the best months lots of migratory birds can be seen during the months. It is also good to know that April and October are the wettest months if your primary aim is bird watching.
Climate
Tsavo East National Park is characterized by a moderate climate due to its proximity to the equator with temperatures ranging between 20 and 30 °C. There are two wet seasons, the long rains between March and April and the short rains between November and December.
Activities in Tsavo East National Park
Activities include game viewing experience and bird watching; with over 400 bird species Tsavo west hosts one of the best bird watching the ground. Different species of migratory birds make their way here between November to April, Accommodation choice depends on your travel style, categories range from budget, mid-range, and premium, Here are some of the best accommodation options in the region. Sentrim Tsavo East Lodge, Ashnil Aruba Lodge, and Oldonyo Lodge.
Activities in Tsavo West National Park
Occupying an area of 9,065 km² Tsavo west is a treasure of natural sights, the park is characterized with clear signboards that lead to these attractions, from the natural springs of Mzima to extinct volcanoes, and the famous shetani (the Devil, in Swahili) Lava flow.
Highlights of Tsavo West.
• Mzima Springs-Mzima, Meaning alive in Swahili, is an oasis on the northwest end of the park that produces about 250 million liters of crystal clear water.
• Rhino Sanctuary- The 90 km² sanctuary is home to the endangered species of black rhinos.
• Shetani lava flow- The lava flow originated from chyulu hills spreading up to 50 km²
• Common wildlife- Lions, Elephants, Leopard, lesser kudu, Cheetah, Buffalo, Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-dik. And over 600 bird species.
Getting to Tsavo West National Park
The main access points are Mtito Andei Gate if coming via the highway from either Nairobi (240km/149 miles) or Mombasa and Chyulu Gate if one is coming from Amboseli. Tsavo Gate near Manyani is also an option if approaching from Mombasa. You can also board a train from Nairobi/Mombasa and get dropped at the Voi station from where you can be picked up and transferred to the respective park entrance gates.
Best time to go to Tsavo West National Park
Dry Months are the best for wildlife viewing since animals gather at the water holes dry months are from June to October and January to February. Wet Months include November, April, and May spotting wildlife during these months may be a challenge since there is an abundance of water and long vegetation.
The climate at Tsavo West National Park
Characterized by hot and dry conditions during the day with temperatures around 29°C/84°F, with nights getting up to 18°C/64°F Expect Cool mornings, so remember to pack warm clothing for early game drives.
Activities in Tsavo west
A visit to the Shetani caves that were formed from lava eruption activity is one not to miss, of course with an armed ranger not forgetting a torch, mind the lazar sharp stones in the caves. Visiting the Mzima springs, bush walks and of course, the Rhino sanctuary is among the activities to consider,
Accommodation options in Tsavo west include Severin Safari Camp Kilaguni Serena Hotel and Sarova salt lake game Lodge.
VERDICT
So East or west? The East is frequented by more visitors and easier to spot wildlife as it is less dense. Tsavo west requires harder work in finding wildlife as it has more dense vegetation. On the other hand, the landscape on the west is more appealing and dramatic, one of the most diverse landscapes in East Africa.
If you are looking for a less crowded park Tsavo west is the place to be. We recommend incorporating other parks such as Amboseli and perhaps including Mombasa holiday beach extension to maximize your Kenya safari experience.
Thinking you would love to experience the beauty of Tsavo National park?
Talk to us and we are happy to assist you in planning; info@ametadventures.com
