Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo east National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Africa, Tsavo east national park together with Tsavo west national park create the Tsavo national park. Tsavo east national park is the largest protected area in Kenya covering an area of 13,747 kilometers squared and it is the oldest national park in Kenya. Tsavo east park lies in the semi-arid area previously known as Taru desert, the park is located in southwest Kenya between Nairobi and Mombasa close to beaches of Kenya coast. Tsavo east park is crossed by Galana River which is formed when Athi and Tsavo River converge, the park is famous for being a home to the largest herds of elephants in Kenya.
Tsavo east national park is situated close to the equator which greatly influence the moderate climate experienced in the park, the park experiences temperature range of 20 and 30 °C. The park experiences two wet seasons with long rains in March and April and short rains in the period of November and December.
Tourist attractions in Tsavo east national park
Lugard falls
Talk of impressive sight Lugard falls is one of the magnificent and exhilarating sights in Tsavo east national park, these falls are formed at a point where Galana River meets sharp rocks during its process of flow to create a series of rapids.
Mudanda rock
Mudanda rock is a 1.5 kilometers natural dam located near Manyani gate, the rock is a reminiscent of Australia’s Uluru and during dry season it attracts many animals such as leopards, elephants and other animals thus being a great spot for viewing animals in the park.
Yatta plateau
Yatta plateau is an impressive feature created as a result of volcanic activities, the plateau is regarded as the longest lava flow in the world stretching for 300 kilometers.
Aruba dam
Aruba dam is a lake and an important water source spanning on Voi River in Tsavo east national park, the Dam is situated 3o kilometers from the Voi entrance gate, the dam attracts a huge concentration of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards and many more as they crowd the dam to drink water. Aruba dam is one of the best spots in the park to view Lions.
Galana River
Galana River is a magnificent feature in Tsavo east park running through the heart of the park combing the waters of Tsavo and Athi rivers, Galana River hosts many animals such as crocs, hippos, lesser kudus, waterbucks, dik-diks, lions, leopards and many more.
Kanderi swamp
Kanderi swamp is in Tsavo east park is a water source in the park and a home to resident lions and elephants, the swamp is situated at a distance of 10 kilometers from Voi gate and it is a good spot to view lions and elephants.
Crocodile point
Crocodile view is a view point situated in the high point of Galana river bank, this point is the best place to views crocodiles in the park.
Wildlife
Tsavo east national park is a home to a variety of wildlife including the big five that is lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos which live in big population. Other animals habiting in Tsavo east national park as a home include waterbucks, crocodiles, wildebeest, impala, lesser Kudu, Gerenuk and Hirola, gazelle, zebras, Masai giraffe, antelopes, banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, fringe-eared Oryx, clawless otter, ground pangolin, crested porcupine, cane rat, giant rat, naked mole rat, ratel, bohor reedbuck, black rhinoceros, serval, spectacled elephant shrew, bush squirrel, East African red squirrel, striped ground squirrel, unstriped ground squirrel, suni, warthog, large-spotted genet, small-spotted genet, cheetah the fastest animal on land and many more which are seen while in the park most especially around water sources such as Aruba dam and a round Galana river. Tsavo east park is famous for hosting a large population of elephants, these elephants are always sighted rolling in the red-dust soil and spraying themselves with water at watering holes.
Birds
Tsavo east park is an important birding area in Kenya, the park hosts over 500 bird species which is a big population of birds including migratory species. Bird species in the park include African finfoot, Black-faced sandgrouse, Fischer’s starling, Golden pipit, Golden-breasted starling, Lesser kestrel, Martial eagle, Northern brownbul, Pangani longclaw, Red-bellied parrot, Rufous chatterer, Shelley’s starling, Slender-tailed nightjar, Somali bee-eater, Somali bunting, Somali ostrich, Taita falcon, Taita fiscal, Vulturine Guinea fowl and many more.
Things to do in Tsavo east national park
Tsavo east national park offers many entertaining and memorable safari experience through its various safari activities, these activities offer tourists an opportunity to see various attractions in the park, these include
Game drives
Game drives in Tsavo east park is an opportunity for sighting many animals hosted in the park from the comfort of your car, game drives in the plains of Tsavo west national park are offered as day and night game drive. as you drive through the plains of the park you spot many animals such as large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, gazelle, zebras, Masai giraffe, antelopes, banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, fringe-eared Oryx, clawless otter, ground pangolin, crested porcupine, cane rat, giant rat, naked mole rat, ratel, bohor reedbuck, black rhinoceros, serval, spectacled elephant shrew, bush squirrel, East African red squirrel, striped ground squirrel, unstriped ground squirrel, suni, warthog, large-spotted genet and many more.
Game drives in Tsavo east park are best done in the dry season period when the vegetation is thinner and animal crowd at watering holes, dry season is experienced in months of June to October.
Guided bush walks
Tsavo east national park offers adventurous guided bush walks through the park, this activity is done on foot led by an experienced guide, guided bush walks a golden chance to visit most of the attractions in the park and reach in areas which cannot be reason with vehicles. Walking in the park gives you a chance to view many animals, beautiful natural features like river Galana and many birds.
Hiking and rock climbing
Hiking and rock climbing in Tsavo east national park is an amazing retreat for nature lovers, the park is dominated by rugged outcrops such as Mudanda rock and Yatta plateau. Hiking and rock climbing in the park is a fun activity for rock climbers and it is one form of exercise testing your physical ability.
Horse riding
Horse riding is an extraordinary way of touring which is not so commonly offered in safari destinations, horseback riding is an ecologically friendly way of touring Tsavo east national park on the back of a horse. This activity helps you to get close to animals while on your tour which is an amazing experience.
Where to sleep in Tsavo east national park
In Tsavo east national park accommodation to the park’s visitors is offered in various facilities such as Loyk Tsavo camp, Voi wildlife lodge, Ashnil Aruba Lodge, Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge, Sentrim Tsavo East Camp, Satao camp, Galdessa camp, Voi Lutheran Guesthouse and many more. These facilities offer sleeping rooms, beds and other befitting services for your stay.
Getting to Tsavo west national park
Tsavo west national park is accessed by tourists through 4 gates that is Manyani, Mtito Andrei Gate the main entrance gate, Voi, Buchuma, and Sala gates. Tsavo east national park is situated mid-way in Nairobi and Mombasa thus being more accessible and a tourist can chose to use air and road transport. By road.
- From Nairobi, visitors access the park using Manyani gate on a drive of 180 miles
- From Mombasa, the park is accessed using Buchuma gate driving for 65 miles on Nairobi- Mombasa road
- from Malindi beach town the park is accessed using Sala gate on a drive of 66 miles