A Guide To Tsavo East National Park Kenya
The joint mass of Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Park Kenya forms one of the largest National Parks in the world and covers a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area.
Tsavo East, the larger of the two, lies to the east of the Nairobi – Mombasa road, equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa, and offers a vast and untapped arena of arid bush which is washed by the azure and emerald meanderings of the Galana River, guarded by the limitless lava reaches of the Yatta Plateau and patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds in Kenya.
Quick Facts About Tsavo East National Park
Here is a List of Facts about Tsavo East National Park
- Area: 11,747 sq. km.
- Altitude: 150-1,200 meters above sea level
- Location: Southeast Kenya, inland from the coast.
- Climate: The Kenya safari travel climate is warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from 20-40 degrees C, and rainfall from 200 mm-700 mm per annum (the ‘long rains’ falling between March and May and the ‘short rains’ between October and December).
- Vegetation: One of the globe’s last biodiversity strongholds, this Kenyan safari park features bushy grasslands, open plains, semi-arid acacia scrub, and woodlands.
- Mammals: Kenya wildlife safari sightings include lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino, hippo, giraffe, lesser kudu, oryx, Cape buffalo, zebra, yellow baboon, waterbuck, gemsbok, Coke’s hartebeest, gerenuk, and gazelle.
- Birds: The prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.
About Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is a national park in Kenya with an area of 13,747 km2 (5,308 sq mi). It covers a semi-arid area formerly known as the Taru Desert. Together with the Tsavo West National Park, it forms an area of about 22,000 square kilometers. The Tsavo River flows west to east through the national park, which is located in the Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province.
The Park is regarded as one of the world’s biodiversity strongholds, delivering undeveloped homes to vast numbers of animals. Famous are the Tsavo lions, a population whose adult males frequently lack manes completely. As of 2006, there were about 675 lions in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem.
History of Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park was established in 1948 as a wildlife refuge in Kenya’s semi-arid Taru Desert. It’s one of the oldest national parks in Kenya. It was named after the great Tsavo River which is a key drainer of the park and flows from West to East through Tsavo National Park. The park borders the Chyulu Hills National Park and the Mkomazui Game Reserve of Tanzania. The park is also managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The park is geographically flat and conquered by short open savannah grassland which has enabled game viewing to be more excellent at Tsavo East than at Tsavo West. It boasts of hosting a large population of Red Dusty Elephants. It habits all the African Big 5; Elephants, Rhinos, Buffaloes, Lions, and Leopards. Other games at the park include Hartebeests. Wildebeests, zebras, Antelopes, kobs, gazelles, topis, Giraffes and many more.
The park is also a birding paradise with over 500 bird species like Starlings, common bulbul, Buzzards, open bill storks, Weaver birds, Herons, and Secretary birds. Lovebirds, Kestrels, Ostriches, Doves, Little egrets, Harmer kop, crown cranes, Horn bills, Kingfishers, and many more.
After the park was declared a national park in 1948, the government of Jomo Kenyatta began receiving tourists from across the globe. In the 1970s the park saw a high poaching rate which led to the downfall of Rhinos and Elephants at the park. In 1980s and 1990s saw the park retrieving its popularity as the African Big Five.
Tsavo East National Park Animals
The park is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk. It also has the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.
Tsavo East National Park Activities
Game Drives
- The Game drives in Tsavo National Park are done using the open-roof safari cars/land cruisers. The land cruisers must be 4×4 wheel drive cars due to the landscape of the park.
- With the guide of a professional driver guide, you will comprehensively explore the best parts of the park. Normally Game drives in Tsavo are more rewarding.
Bird Watching
- The Park is one of the best birding safari destinations in Kenya and the whole East African region. It is predominately of simple thickets and savannah grassland which supports the life of other bird species.
- There are over 500 bird species recorded to inhabit the Tsavo East National Park including water birds, and the dry savannah specials.
Visit the Aruba Dam
- On a safari to the dam, the tourists can spot various animal species like buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, elephants, and lions coming to drink the water from the dam.
Yatta Plateau Exploration
- Visitors to Tsavo East National Park can explore the Yatta Plateau as part of their safari adventure. The plateau presents fantastic opportunities for photography, game viewing, and bird watching, especially for those interested in grabbing the vast, rugged beauty of the Kenyan landscape.
Nature Walks
- Nature walking offers an incredible wildlife adventure where this safari is done on foot and the visitors around led by the ranger guides for protection from animal attacks for example from the crocodiles in Lugard Falls.
- The tourists or visitors enjoy the beautiful nature of Lugard Falls by viewing the power of the waterfall fading in deep chasms in its boundaries.
What to see at Tsavo East National Park
Elephant In Eden
- The sight of dust-red elephants wallowing, rolling, and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of the palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images of Africa.
Aruba Dam
- The beautiful Aruba Dam, located on the north bank of the seasonal Voi River, is visited by thousands of animals and makes a great game-viewing destination.
Mudanda Rock
- This whale-backed rock towers above a natural dam, which acts as a draw to hundreds of elephants.
The longest Lava Flow in the World
- At 300 kilometers in length, the heat-shimmering edge of the Yatta Plateau is the longest lava flow in the world and an ornithological paradise that attracts migrating birds from all over the world.
Lugard’s Falls
- 5 Named after Captain Lugard, the first proconsul to East Africa, the Falls feature a bizarrely eroded rock neck through which the waters of the Galana River plunge into foaming rapids and crocodile-infested pools.
Spectacular Voyages of Discovery
- Tsavo offers some of the most magnificent game drives in the world – vast herds of dust-red elephants, fat pods of hippos, giant crocodiles,s and a kaleidoscope of bird life are set against a blazing backdrop of endless bush.
Attractions in Tsavo East National Park
Elephant in Eden
- The sight of dust-red elephants wallowing, rolling, and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of the palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images of Africa.
Aruba Dam
- The beautiful Aruba Dam located on the north bank of the seasonal Voi River, is visited by thousands of animals and is a great game-viewing destination.
Mudanda Rock
- This whale–backed Rock towers above a natural dam, which acts as a draw to thousands of Elephants.
Yatta Plateau
- At 300 kilometers in length, the heat-shimmering edge of Yatta Plateau is the longest lava flow in the world and an ornithological paradise that attracts migrating birds from all over the world.
Lugards Falls
- Named after Captain Lugard, the first proconsul to East Africa, the falls feature bizarrely eroded rocks through which the waters of the Galana River plunge into foaming rapids and crocodile-infested pools
How to get to Tsavo East National Park
By Road
- The Park (Mtito Andei Gate) is 232 km South of Nairobi and 250 km North of Mombasa on the main Nairobi – Mombasa Road. Note: Nairobi – Voi Gate 325 km, Mombasa – Voi Gate 157 km. The following entry gates exist: Mtito Andei, Voi, Buchuma, Manyani, lthumba, and Sala.
By Air
- There are several airstrips in the Park.
By Railway
- The Nairobi-Mombasa railway runs right through the Tsavo East National Park.
Accommodation and Hotels in Tsavo East National Park Kenya
Satao Camp
- Satao Camp offers its guests the classical ‘Out of Africa’ experience. Spacious tented accommodation is complemented by genuine hospitality and first-class cuisine. The camp also boasts 20 authentic safari-style en-suite tents, each with private verandahs, nestled among the tamarind trees surrounding the camp’s very own watering hole.
- There are 16 tents and 4 suites. The tents are carefully arranged to allow uninterrupted views of the visiting wildlife whilst ensuring total privacy.
Lions Bluff Lodge
- Lions Bluff Lodge is a very special eco-lodge within Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary. The lodge is suspended above an ancient elephant migratory corridor and has stunning scenic views across miles and miles of Kenyan parkland including The Taita Hills, the Lumo Community Sanctuary, Kilimanjaro, and the Tsavo eco-system.
Leopards Lair Cottages
- This is the small lodge featuring only four en-suite rooms built using regional materials and colors, creating this new look Leopard Lair, incorporated into the stunning scenery.
Saltlick Safari Lodge
- Saltlick is famous for being among the World’s Most Photographed Lodges located in the heart of the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary overlooking a waterhole and the vast Tsavo plains.
- Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge also has 96 rooms certified to give you a great experience during your stay here. All spacious, well-appointed double rooms are en-suite and give you an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of wildlife from the comfort of your room.
Voi Wildlife Lodge
- Voi Wildlife Lodge is located at the boundary of the home of Elephants the Tsavo East National Park 5 minutes drive from the Tsavo East Airstrip. The Lodge is located next and overlooking the great water hole where many big animals are seen constantly coming to drink water.
- The camp can accommodate up to 300 guests, all rooms have ample en-suite bathrooms and are furnished in African decor that is repeated throughout the lodge. Also, the luxury rooms comprise two four-poster beds and views of the Savannah, which one can enjoy from the comfort of one’s balcony or terrace.
Sagala Lodge
- The lodge is located 2 kilometers off the Mombasa highway and in between Tsavo East and Tsavo West game park. It is the perfect getaway destination for relaxing in a quiet and serene environment and enjoying every taste of cuisine made by our highly trained personnel.
- Sagala consists of 24 bandas that are well spread out all with hot water and a clean serene environment powered by electricity throughout. The lodge also offers comfortable accommodation with very friendly rates, a lounge bar a swimming pool, a conference facility, a quality restaurant, and camping grounds, ideal to break your journey to/from Mombasa.
When to visit Tsavo East National Park Kenya
Tsavo East National Park is accessible by 2WD vehicles, and also by air, all year round.
What to take with you to Tsavo East National Park
Drinking water, picnic items, and camping equipment if you intend to stay overnight. Also useful are: binoculars, a camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and guidebooks.
Tsavo East National Park Entrance fees
Citizen
- Adults KSH: 600
- Child KSH: 250
Resident
- Adults KSH: 1200
- Child KSH: 600
Non – Resident
- Adults USD: 75
- Child USD: 40
Tsavo East National Park Contacts
- Attraction Type: Wildlife
- Category: National Park
- Region: Coast
- City / Town: Voi
- Road / Street: Mombasa Road
- Telephone: 254 43 203 0049 254 714 311 716 254 43 203 1342
- Email: tsavoeast@kws.go.ke
- Entrance Fee: Yes
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