Tsavo West national park is located in southeastern Kenya covering an area of about 9,065 km2. The park was separated from Tsavo East national park decades ago and both formed the largest protected block in Kenya, they are separated by a railway line that cuts through them. This block of protected land stretches between Nairobi and Mombasa the coastal city.
Tsavo West national park went through volcanic actions centuries ago, and this caused rugged terrain, volcanic mountains, some parts are flat topped because of the lava flow, creating a habitat for wildlife and this makes it one of Kenya’s wildlife sanctuary and enjoyable safari destination.
Tsavo West national park is famous for its dramatic rugged terrain, composed of volcanic features, breathtaking sceneries, the famous Mzima springs which have underground crystal clear waters from the Chyulu hills, this is where most of the wildlife fringe from. You expect to encounter a number of wildlife for example; hippopotami, crocodiles, water birds, elephants, buffaloes to mention but a few.
Tsavo West national park is a home to elongated flat black lava known as the Shetani lava flow which was formed during the recent volcanic activities and this is also a great attraction in the park. Due to the terrain and the geography of the park, Tsavo West offer unique experiences because of its quieter atmosphere and huge wilderness that accommodate a number of wildlife, this encourages travelers who want lonely experience to choose Tsavo west more than other East African national parks which are always congested with tourists.
Tsavo West is composed of a mixture of baobab trees, thorny shrubs and rivers and volcanic action I evident where volcanic hills, caves, lava flows and underground water that help the animals even when its dry season, the underground water system never runs out.
The park being one of the largest protected block in Kenya, it is a home to several wildlife, some of the animals which are permanent residents of Tsavo West national park; red elephants these are because of the red soils from the volcanic actions, black rhinos, buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, antelopes, lions, leopards, zebras, birds over 600 recorded bird species making Tsavo West one of the top bird watching destinations in Kenya. Some of the birds expected in the park are; hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, migratory birds among others.
How does Tsavo West differ from Tsavo East?
Tsavo West and Tsavo East being separated as one block, they both offer different wildlife experiences based on the parks’ vegetation and terrain. Tsavo West is composed of the dramatic volcanic features, thick forests, swamps with underground water system, Tsavo East is composed of open savanna grasslands and Galana River.
Tsavo West still stands out to be very different from Tsavo East because, Tsavo West is a home to Ngulia Rhino sanctuary which is aimed at protecting the endangered black rhinos.
Tsavo West also accommodates Chyulu hills and Mzima hot springs and are more attractive that most of the features in Tsavo West.
Activities in Tsavo West National Park
Game Drives
The park being a home to various wildlife, expect to carry out game drive as an important activity that will expose you to the park’s wildlife for example black rhinos, lions, red elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs, hyenas among others. You can engage in a morning game drive or an evening game drive, there is always an option of night game drives to catch nocturnal animals.
Bird watching
The park has a recorded number of bids to be over 600 bird species and this has made many travelers especially the birders to make Tsavo West their birding destination. Some of the birds you expect to encounter in Tsavo West
are kingfishers, ground hornbills, bustards, secretary birds, eagles, vultures to mention but a few.
Photography
Tsavo West being with a number of volcanic features like the Shetani lava flow, caves, hills and a number of scenic vie points, photographers have made Tsavo West their choice. Additionally, because it is not congested with travelers, this has become their strong point.
A number of other activities which are carried out in the park are; research, guided nature walks.
Combine Tsavo West safari in Kenya with Uganda’s gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park or Rwanda’s volcanoes national park where you will have an experience the open jungle and thick forest experience and this is one of the most rewarding wildlife experience that you will live with forever.
