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Kenya

Tsavo West National Park

PLAN MY TRIP

Located in Coast Province of Kenya in between Nairobi City and Mombasa. Tsavo West National Park is the more popular of the two parks that make up the Tsavo Conservation Area.

Tsavo West National Park encompasses 5,632-square miles of the total 13,670-square miles of the Tsavo Conservation Area which is the largest park in Kenya and one of the biggest in Africa. It was split from its sister park, Tsavo East by the construction of Nairobi-Mombosa Railway. Tsavo West has a more varied topography than the Tsavo East and covers a huge variety of landscapes from swamps, natural springs, and rocky peaks to extinct volcanic cones, rolling plains, and sharp outcrops. Dotted with old and new volcanic hills, destructive eruptions ravaged the land only 200 to 300 years ago. Beautiful Mzima Springs is the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from under parched lava rocks.

Tsavo West National Park has a variety of wildlife, such as eastern black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, and large prides of Masai lion. There are also other smaller animals that can be spotted in the park, such as the bushbaby, hartebeest, lesser kudu, and Masai giraffe. Some rares species include while-tailed mongoose, genet cat, jackal, hyrax, dik dik, porcupine, and oryx.

The park enjoys a prolific population of birds with over 600 species living or migrating through the region including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler as well as the white-headed buffalo weaver recognized by its bright-red rump. The chain of lakes fed by Mzima Springs swarm with fish, large crocodiles, and some big pods of hippos. The rhino sanctuary is working hard to bring back the black rhino population after some devastating poaching in the 1960s and on.

The local safari lodges and camps offer daily game drives through the park in comfortable 4×4 vehicles conducted by expert guides and trackers. This is the best way to spot wildlife. A guided nature walk or bird-watching walk takes a closer look at the area’s flora and fauna as well as observing smaller animals often missed from the vehicles. The rocky cliffs of Tsavo West are a favorite spot for rock-climbing with the most impressive piece of rock being the 984-foot high east face of Kichwa Tembo. The Ivory Tower on Elephant Rocks is a newer climbing spot that ranks with the best and hardest bush climb in Kenya. There also many caves to explore in the area. At Mzima Springs, there is a unique underwater hippo-viewing chamber.

Safari Camps
Points of Interest
Hotels & Resorts
Journeys
1 of 7
2 of 7
3 of 7
4 of 7
5 of 7
6 of 7
7 of 7

Kenya

Tsavo West National Park

PLAN MY TRIP

Located in Coast Province of Kenya in between Nairobi City and Mombasa. Tsavo West National Park is the more popular of the two parks that make up the Tsavo Conservation Area.

Tsavo West National Park encompasses 5,632-square miles of the total 13,670-square miles of the Tsavo Conservation Area which is the largest park in Kenya and one of the biggest in Africa. It was split from its sister park, Tsavo East by the construction of Nairobi-Mombosa Railway. Tsavo West has a more varied topography than the Tsavo East and covers a huge variety of landscapes from swamps, natural springs, and rocky peaks to extinct volcanic cones, rolling plains, and sharp outcrops. Dotted with old and new volcanic hills, destructive eruptions ravaged the land only 200 to 300 years ago. Beautiful Mzima Springs is the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from under parched lava rocks.

Tsavo West National Park has a variety of wildlife, such as eastern black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, elephant, leopard, and large prides of Masai lion. There are also other smaller animals that can be spotted in the park, such as the bushbaby, hartebeest, lesser kudu, and Masai giraffe. Some rares species include while-tailed mongoose, genet cat, jackal, hyrax, dik dik, porcupine, and oryx.

The park enjoys a prolific population of birds with over 600 species living or migrating through the region including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler as well as the white-headed buffalo weaver recognized by its bright-red rump. The chain of lakes fed by Mzima Springs swarm with fish, large crocodiles, and some big pods of hippos. The rhino sanctuary is working hard to bring back the black rhino population after some devastating poaching in the 1960s and on.

The local safari lodges and camps offer daily game drives through the park in comfortable 4×4 vehicles conducted by expert guides and trackers. This is the best way to spot wildlife. A guided nature walk or bird-watching walk takes a closer look at the area’s flora and fauna as well as observing smaller animals often missed from the vehicles. The rocky cliffs of Tsavo West are a favorite spot for rock-climbing with the most impressive piece of rock being the 984-foot high east face of Kichwa Tembo. The Ivory Tower on Elephant Rocks is a newer climbing spot that ranks with the best and hardest bush climb in Kenya. There also many caves to explore in the area. At Mzima Springs, there is a unique underwater hippo-viewing chamber.

Safari Camps
Points of Interest
Hotels & Resorts
Journeys