5 Reasons to Take a Tsavo National Park Safari
Why is it that taking a Tsavo National Park safari is becoming more and more popular with tourists? Named after the river that runs through it, Tsavo National Park is the largest conservation area in Kenya. Situated between Nairobi and Mombasa, its total area covers 22,000km², making up almost 4% of the country’s total land mass. However, thanks to a railway and highway that runs straight through its center. This unique park is actually split into two halves.
Tsavo East is the larger of the two parks at roughly 13,700km². It is known for its semi-arid grasslands and flat, open plains. Bordering Tanzania, Tsavo West is around 9000km² with a much more varied landscape. Standing in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro, this region boasts spectacular mountains, lakes, swamps, natural springs and myriad volcanic rock formations.
Taking a Tsavo National Park safari is becoming more and more popular. Both parks offer an array of things to see and do within their unfenced wilderness. They are also quieter than neighboring Masai Mara due to their size. As such, Tsavo safaris are growing in popularity. So, if you’re considering a trip to East Africa, read on to discover the highlights of each Tsavo National Park to determine whether it’s the right destination for you.
Unmissable Tsavo National Park highlights
1. High volumes of red elephants and Tsavo lions
Despite having lower wildlife densities than Masai Mara, Tsavo is still home to Africa’s Big 5. This includes rhinos, buffalos, leopards, elephants and lions. In particular, the area is known for its large herds of red elephants. Red elephants are named as such as they’re often covered in dust from the red soils, they wallow in beside the Galana River. In fact, there are around 12,000 elephants in Tsavo National Park, which make up one third of Kenya’s total elephant population.
The region is also famous for its Tsavo lions. Legend has it that two lions coined the “Maneaters of Tsavo” killed 130 workers during the railway line’s construction in 1898. True or not, the area remains a major lion hub, with around 700 individuals living here.
Morning and evening game drives offer the chance to see all of the Big 5 across both parks. Also some of the 500 bird species that call the region home. This includes Somali ostriches, martial eagles, vulturine guineafowl, gold-breasted starlings and threatened corncrakes.
2. Wildlife-rich waterholes
During the dry season, waterholes provide some of the best wildlife viewing in Tsavo East National Park. Two key places of interest include Aruba Dam and Mudanda Rock. The first is a man-made reservoir on the Voi river. As the only permanent water source in the area, Aruba Dam attracts all kinds of animals, including zebras, giraffes, waterbucks and hippos.
Mudanda Rock is a 1.5km long quartzite formation that feeds a natural dam below with rainwater run-off. With a flight of steps cut into its side, you can climb to the top and enjoy panoramic views over the park. You may even spot black-faced monkeys on the way. However, the many elephants that gather at its dam are definitely the rock’s biggest draw.
Some of Tsavo’s lodges such as Salt Lick Safari Lodge & Kiliguni Serena Safari Lodge have waterholes in front of the lodge with viewing decks for amazing wildlife viewing from the comfort of your lodge.
On the edge of Tsavo West, Lake Jipe is another popular drinking spot for mammals and a hub for aquatic birds like lesser jacanas and pygmy geese. You can even take a boat trip across the lake to view them close up. But waterholes aren’t the only watery wonder here…
3. Natural springs and rapids
Tsavo West also plays host to the stunning Mzima Springs, meaning alive in Kiswahili. Fed by a reservoir under the Chyulu Hills. The 4 springs here produce over 200 million litres of crystal-clear water every day. As such, the area provides an oasis for plains animals grazing nearby. Also a water source for the surrounding fever tree forests that house vervet monkeys. But the star attraction here has got to be the below-ground hide. This offers a unique chance to view a pod of 20 hippos and crocodiles swimming around their underwater realm.
In Tsavo East National Park, sculpted channels in the dolomite rock that forms the bed of the Galana River have created a series of rapids known as Lugard Falls. You can enjoy scenic hikes along the river to the top of the falls year round. Although they’re most impressive in the wet season when the river is at its highest. There’s also a hippo pool just 1km downstream.
4. Historic lava flows
Due to its proximity to some of East Africa’s most remarkable mountain ranges, Tsavo National Park houses some very interesting volcanic features. In Tsavo East, you’ll find Yatta Plateau lava flow in Kitui County. At almost 200km long, it is the world’s largest fossilized lava flow. Yatta Plateau lava flow was formed by solidified magma from nearby Ol Donyo Sabuk Mountain.
Likewise, in Tsavo West National Park, black lava which erupted from the Earth’s crust over 200 years ago. This can be seen across the savannah. Now fully hardened, the Shetani lava flow and caves take their name from the Swahili word for Devil. The locals believed the molten magma was a sign of the Devil at work. To this day, a superstitious few still avoid the area.
5. Impressive wildlife sanctuaries
Within Tsavo National Park, there are also several wildlife sanctuaries where safari-goers are guaranteed to see a host of Kenya’s top animals. Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary was created in 1986 to protect endangered Eastern black rhinos. This fenced reserve boasts a growing population of 70+ individuals which can be seen from cleverly positioned viewing platforms.
Also situated in Tsavo West National Park, below the Eastern Arc range, is Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Spanning 28,000 hectares of mountains and open plains, the reserve currently has 56 animals in total. These include all the Africa’s Big 5, plus hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, fringe-eared oryx, eland, dik-diks and impala. Not to mention some of the country’s rarest birds that can only be found in the Taita Hills, including the Taita falcon, thrush and falcon.
Interestingly, this Tsavo West sanctuary also houses a WWI museum with artefacts from the East African Campaign. This is where British Empire soldiers fought a small German force in East Africa between 1916 and 1918. You can even take a battlefield tour if you’re interested.
Book a Tsavo safari you’ll remember forever
If you like what you’ve read and would like to see Tsavo National Park in person, then Brady’s Wildlife Adventures has you covered. We offer 12 day Tsavo safaris which include multiple trips to Tsavo East & West, plus neighbouring Amboseli and Masai Mara reserves.
Our next Tsavo tour departs August 2023, during the region’s dry season, when rainfall is minimal and the park’s vegetation has thinned out to make wildlife viewing simpler than ever. At this time of year, animals are also drawn to waterholes, some of which you’ll visit during game drives. Others will be located directly outside your luxury lodge accommodation!
If you’ve any questions or you’d like to learn more before booking your trip, feel free to arrange a call with our expert guide Brady who can clarify everything you need to know. Alternatively, explore more Kenya safaris on our website.
