Tsavo East National Park.
Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s and Africa’s largest safari destination that is located on an area of about 22,000km2. Tsavo national park is made up of two different and separate parks that is Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West national park; the park was split into two due to the railway going from Mombasa to the interior of Kenya. Tsavo is located in the coast province of Kenya in between Nairobi city and Mombasa. Tsavo East national park is located in the south east of Kenya near the town of Voi in the Taita-Taveta District of the Coast province, inland from the coast its 13,747 sq.km as well Tsavo west national park is located in the coast province of Kenya that covers an area of about 9065 sq.km. Tsavo East national park is famously known as the flat safari destination that is flat, with the dry plains across which the Galana River flows and among other features like Yatta Plateau, Lugard falls, Mudanda rock which is about 1.5-km (2-mile) and its attractive water catchment area that offers the tourists the exciting opportunity to see plenty of wildlife coming to drink at the Aruba Dam below and among many others.
Tsavo East national park has various wildlife that is the bird species, animal species, plant species and among others; that is the park is known for the big five mammals that is the lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and elephants, though there are other animal species in the park that includes the zebras, impalas, cheetahs, giraffes, Oryxes, lesser kudus, antelopes, klipspringer and among others ; the park is dominated by the semi-arid vegetation with the open savannah grassland dotted with the Acacia trees and some riverine forests along the rivers hence attracting the diverse wildlife in the park. The park is a birding haven with over 500 bird species that has both the residents and migratory bird species. Some of the bird species to be sighted includes Coqui francolin, Fischer’s Starling, Schalow’s Wheatear, African Grey Hornbill, Lilac-breasted roller and among many others, the park offers a unique blend of the savannah, semi-arid habitats that support a wide variety of bird species. Tsavo east national park is known for Tsavo River and Athi River these are main rivers in the park during your safari to the park these are some of the perfect spots especially during the dry season when the wildlife is concentrated along with the water bodies, and at a certain extent these two rivers join together to form the larger river known as Galana River in the park.
Tsavo east national park is known for the large numbers of the lions that’s why the park is known for the history of the Man-eating lions that intruded the park and consumed some of the railway workers during the construction of the railway line that passed through the park during 1800’s that hindered the their work. Hence during the period that’s when the famous film called ‘’The Ghost and the Darkness’’.
Location of Tsavo East National Park.
Tsavo East national park is situated in the southwest part of Nairobi near Mombasa, the park is located in Voi town in the Taita-Taveta County the former province of the coastal province. Tsavo east national park is about 233 kilometers from the main capital city Nairobi that’s takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive. Tsavo east national park as well can be reached from Mombasa that takes you about 2 to 3 hours’ drive. The park can be accessed through the Sala Gate in the western part of the park when coming from Malindi, as well you can access the park using the direct route along Nairobi Mombasa road that takes you directly through Mtito Andei Gates.
Tsavo East national park can be reached through using the air transport which is the easiest way to reach the park. This is where you can fly from Wilson airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport then to the park’s various airstrips including Satao Airstrip, Bachuma airstrip, and Voi airstrip and among others.
Tsavo East national park is the only safari destination in Kenya that can be reached by the means of the railway transport that is where the railway passes through the center of the park. The railway leaves Nairobi daily to the coast of Mombasa, however using the railway means of transport you can be dropped at the station inside the park, and this is where your African Vacation Safaris guide or your accommodation driver will pick you from the station to your lodge.
Attractions in Tsavo East National Park.
Tsavo East national park is known for its amazing number of attractions that bring various tourists from the world wide to the park during their safari to the wonderful park. With the park’s huge size it has contributed to the diversified ecosystem that is a home of the various wildlife in the park. On an African safari, tourists to the park can spend like two days or more if one has to get its perfect safari experience.
Animal species: Tsavo East National Park is the most attractive safari destination because of its number of the animal species especially the famous red elephants that roam around the park. Besides the red elephants, Tsavo East national park is a home to over 50 animal species with the African Big five mammals that includes the rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, elephants, lions. Though other animal species to the spotted in the park includes the zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, hyenas and many others. These animal species can be seen all the year around though the best time to see the animals in the park is the dry season as that’s the period when the grass can be short and the animals tend to congregate around the water sources which offers easy viewing and thus rewarding.
Bird species: Tsavo East National Park is a bird lover’s destination with over 500 bird species that stay inside the park with both the migratory and resident bird species; on a birding safari the tourists can be able to spot some bird species like Golden pipit, Martial eagle, Red-bellied parrot, vulturine Guinea fowl, Red-winged lark, Somali bee-eater and among others.
Yatta plateau: Yatta Plateau in Tsavo East National Park is a fascinating geological wonder, with the world’s longest lava flow, stretching over 290 kilometers, that offers the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and this provides a unique experience into the region’s volcanic history. This natural attraction is a must-see for anyone interested in geology, adventure and exploring the great outdoors.
Lugard Falls: Lugard Falls in Tsavo East National Park is a awesome natural wonder, that has a series of the beautiful rock rapids and waterfalls along the Galana River, surrounded by the stunning scenery and then lush vegetation, making it a perfect spot for the photography lovers, relaxation and enjoying the beauty of nature, where the visitors can relax and take in the cool atmosphere while admiring at the river’s gentle flow and then dramatic rock formations.
Aruba Dam: Aruba Dam is the one of the artificial oldest dams in the country that was constructed during 1952 in river Voi. During your safari to the park the dam attracts various animal species that come to the dam to wash away their thirst that offers you the best wildlife viewing experience.
Activities to do in Tsavo East National Park.
Game drives: Tsavo east national park is among Kenya’s destinations with the rewarding game drive safari experience. Here in the park the game drives are done while using the 4×4 safari vehicles with the well experienced and skilled safari guides from the African Vacation Safari this is much rewarding as you get closer to the wildlife in their natural habitat. The game drives can be done in different intervals that is both the morning game drive and afternoon game drive to catch the park’s animal species like the African big five mammals that is lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Other animal species to be spotted includes zebras, cheetahs, dik-diks, topis, impalas, baboons, gazelles, wildebeests and among others. Game drives in Tsavo East national park are such excellent as they are done while following different spots like Galana River, Aruba Dam, Voi River and among others.
Bird watching: Tsavo East National Park is best safari destination when it comes to bird watching on an African and Kenya safari. The park hosts over 500 bird species with various bird species like the migratory, residents, rare species and among others. The birdwatching safari is done but specifically it’s advised to consider the longer days if one wants his or her list to be rewarding and exceptional. African Vacation Safaris birding guides are familiar with the park and habitats of the birds for the great success experience. The best time to do the birdwatching safari in Tsavo east national park is during the rainy or low season when the birds are breeding and nesting, and some of the bird species to spot during bird watching safari includes Taita fiscal, Martial eagle, Golden pipit, Red-winged lark, black-headed lapwing, vulturine Guinea fowl and among others.
Guided nature walks: Guided nature walks in Tsavo East national park are very fascinating in Tsavo East national park. This is the experience that takes tourists to the different park’s hidden areas where the safari vehicles do not reach like the Mudanda rocks, and among others. The experience can be done and accompanied by the experienced and skilled guide on foot to the park’s different areas, this is where you will explore park’s most wildlife like various animal species, bird species, plant species, and among others in their natural habitat as you walk around the park’s premises.
Maasai village tours: A Maasai village tour in Tsavo East National Park offers a unique cultural safari experience that allows the tourist to immerse themselves in the traditional way of life of the Maasai people, learning about their customs, traditions, and history while interacting with the community, witnessing traditional dances and exploring the village’s rustic homesteads, providing a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Kenya’s indigenous people.
When you think of mixing an African wildlife and beach experience than do not think any further than Tsavo East National Park, as this is the right safari destination to consider, because of its easy location to the coastal province with the easy access from the coast makes it the best destination to explore with African Vacation Safaris.