Tsavo East National Park

The Theatre of the Wild...

Establishment history
Tsavo National Park was established on 1st April, 1948 with an area of 21,812 Km2 It is the largest Park in Kenya. In May 1948 Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road.

The Waliangulu and Kamba tribes used it as a hunting ground prior to gazettement.
Dr. Krapf journeyed on foot through this area in 1848 crossing the Tsavo river on his way to Kitui – first European to see Mt. Kenya.
Construction of the railway reached Tsavo river in 1898. During the construction of the bridge Lions (Man eaters of Tsavo) terrorized the workers, killing over 130 people before being killed by Col. Patterson.
During the World War I (1914-1918) British forces built fortresses along Tsavo river to counter threats from invading German forces from Tanganyika (present Tanzania) – whose intention was to blow up the Tsavo river bridge that was vital to British Communication.
Captain Lugards a European explorer passed through the area on his way to Uganda and had a drop over at the Lugards falls area.
Scenic features
Tsavo East is a very popular Park as is indicated by the high number of tourists. Some of the attractive scenic features include:

large herds of elephants and other wildlife.
it is easily accessible by road, air (light aircraft) and railway.
the Park is a “catchments” for coast resorts’ visitors.
popular legend of Tsavo “The Man-eaters of Tsavo”.
Yatta plateau – It is about 290Km long and is one of the worlds longest lava flows.
Lugards Falls on the Galana river – This is not a true falls but a series of rapids. Visitors can walk down to the river to view the rapids.
Mudanda rock – This is a long rock outcrop that is about 1.6Km long. There is a dam at the base. Animals can be seen drinking. Visitors can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze as well as view wildlife at the base.
Aruba Dam - was built in 1952 across the Voi river. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this dam.
Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence – when the two rivers join they form the Galana river.
Elephants, Rhinos, Hirola (Hunters Hartebeest).
How to get to Tsavo East National Park
From Nairobi via Voi through the Voi gate or Manyani gate.
Similarly, from Mombasa via Bachuma gate.
From Malindi, via Sala gate. This road was recently graded and is attracting many visitors from North Coast.

Note: The road network in the Northern area is being worked on at the moment. The road when completed will expand tourism activities in the area.

There are six airstrips in the southern part of the park and thirteen in the Northern part.

There are no scheduled flights to the Park but chartered light planes can be used.

The Park opens at 6.30 a.m. and closes at 6.30 p.m.

Accommodation facilities
Tsavo East has got one lodge, several tented camps and public campsites.

1. Lodge Rooms Beds
Voi Safari Lodge 52 104

2. Tented Camps
Galdessa camp
8 16
Epiya Chapeyu Camp 11 22
Tsavo Safari Camp (Cottars) 20 40
Satao Camp 10 20
Sobo
Patterson Safari Camp

3. Public Campsites
Ndololo, Kandri, Main gate campsites. All these campsites have no facilities. Visitors bring their own camping gear.

Ongoing Tourist Activities

Game viewing.
Walking Safaris along the Galana.
Bird watching.
Tourist guidance while in Tsavo

The weather in Tsavo is pleasant most of the year. There are two rain seasons. The long rains generally come in March – May and the short rains from October – December.

It is forbidden to travel in an open vehicle while in the Park.
Stay in your vehicle all the time. Get out only at designated areas.
Off road driving is not allowed. View the wildlife from a distance with binoculars.
Off road driving destroys vegetation, might kill wildlife and could interfere with the daily routine of animals. The tracks formed become an eyesore.
Animals have a right of way. Do not harass them or make loud sounds – this might scare then and make them nervous. Patience pays!
Remember not to litter.
Remember: Do not take away anything, but photographs and leave nothing behind but footprints.


Tsavo West National Park

The Land of Lava, Man-eaters, Springs and much more...
Tsavo West National Park covers 7065 km2, approximately 30% of Kenya's area under parks, and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and a mountainous scenic landscape.

The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei, along the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The North Eastern boundary along the Highway adjoins Tsavo East National Park, but Tsavo West has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbour.

The park's habitats include open plains alternating with Savannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.

There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the park, towards the Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volacano.

In the far south western corner on the Kenya Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which is in the park. This very attractive lake is fed by runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.

At Mzima Springs, in the North of the park, water that has filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.

Location:
South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa, and the altitude ranges between 200 - 1000m.

Climate:
Temperature ranges from 20 - 30o C and rainfall from 200mm - 700mm. Two ran seasons: Long rains - March/April & Short rains - Nov/December.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
The main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi (240 km) and Mombasa. Visitors from Mombasa also use Tsavo Gate near Manyani. The park can also be reached via Taveta-Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani and Jipe gates.

Airstrips:
Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau, Finch Hottons, Ziwani and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.

Park Gates:
Chyulu, Mtito Andei, Tsavo, Jipe, Maktau Gate, Kasigau and Ziwani Gates.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Recent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential for geological and cave exploration, and hiking. Mzima Springs & underwater hippo watching, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Jipe, Mt. Kilimanjaro, elephant, rhino, diverse bird and plant species. And if lucky - Wild dogs.

FACILITIES

Lodges:
Ngulia Lodge; Kilaguni Serena Lodge; Severin Safari Camp/Lodge; Finch Hattons.

Campsites:
Lake Jipe (public); Kamboya (public); Royal Little (special); Simba (special); Kenge (special); Kudu (special).
Others:
Kamboyo guesthouse; Tsavo West Information Visitor Centre.

Bandas:
Lake Jipe; Kitani; Ngulia.

Picnic Sites:
Poachers look out; Chaimu Crater; Shetani Lava Flow; Roaring Rocks; Mzima Springs; Visitor Information Centre Picnic Site.

COMMON VEGETATION

Most of the northern sector is Acacia commiphora bushland with scattered trees such as baobabs - Adansonia digitata and Delonix elata. In the Ngulia area, a range of craggy hills reaches around 1800m and is heavily wooded. The southern sector consists of open grassy plains. The permanent tsavo river runs through the northern part of the park with a fringe of riverine Acacia elatior and Hyphaene compressa woodland. Lake Jipe is bordered by extensive beds to Typha and has large permanent swamps at its eastern and western ends. Mzima springs, is fringed by Raphia farinifera and Phoenix reclinata palms.

Visitor Activities
Boat excursion at lake Jipe; Bird watching at lake Jipe; Annual bird ringing at Ngulia lodge; Hill and rock climbing at Chaimu and Ngulia Hills.