Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is one of Kenya's oldest and largest parks: covering about 40 per cent of the total area of all national parks.
Its beautiful landscape and proximity to the Coast make it a popular safari destination.
It is one of the world's leading biodiversity strongholds, with bushy grassland and open plains alternating with savannah and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where riverbanks give rise to lush vegetation.
North of Galana is a true wilderness. Leading tour guides offer private safaris across this area. Camel safaris are available.
Tsavo-East is recommended for photographers with its fabulous light and fantastic views, especially the Mudanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau, the world's largest lava flow. Lugard Falls on the Galana River are remarkable for the shaped water-worn rocks.
Game includes: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and zebra. Aruba hunter's hartebeest, with its lyre-shaped horns, can also be seen.
Home to some of the largest herds in Kenya, the elephants glow red after dust baths, blowing the vivid red dust through their trunks over their bodies.
One of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant release sides is in this park. If you are a sponsor of a baby elephant you can arrange a visit with the Trust and visit with the elephants when they come for their afternoon drink and bath.
To give you an idea, please see the Elephants in Voi.
About 500 bird species have been recorded including ostrich, some migratory kestrels and buzzards, which stop at Tsavo-East during their long flight south.
Tsavo East National Park Facts
- Altitude 500 - 4,000ft.
- Area 11,747 sq. kms
- Distance from Nairobi 333 kms
- 16 airstrips (4 graded)
- Opened April 1948
- Spectacular scenery: Galana river, Lugard Falls Aruba Dam & Mudanda rock
- Unrivalled bird watching: Resident & Migratory flocks
- Game viewing: elephant, rhino, giant crocodile, ostrich
- Camel safaris, river fishing
- Easy access from the coast
Reference: Kenya Wildlife Services
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