Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park termed the “theatre of the wilderness,” is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including large herds of red-dusted elephants that enjoy rolling and playing in the park’s red soil.

Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s largest national park, abutting the Chyulu Hills and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. Established in 1948, the park, along with its sister park, Tsavo West National Park, spans 13,747 square kilometres. Tsavo East National Park, nicknamed “The Theatre of the Wilderness,” is home to a variety of rare species, including large herds of dusty red elephants that love to roll and play in the park’s red earth, an experience not to be missed on a Kenyan safari. Tsavo East National Park is named after the Tsavo River, which passes across the park from east to west. The park is also separated from its sister park by the railway and the A109 road, which together constitute Tsavo National Park, Kenya’s largest protected area. Tsavo is one among the top ten safari destinations in Kenya.

Tsavo East National Park’s geography is quite diversified, ranging from savannahs to semi-arid grasslands. The Galana River, formed by the confluence of the Tsavo and Athi rivers, is one of the park’s primary attractions. Tsavo East National Park, home to a range of animal species from both the north and south, is one of Kenya’s greatest wildlife safari destinations.

Its vast biodiversity is unparalleled in the globe. In addition to its large herds of red-dust-covered elephants, the park is also known for its maneless lions and cheetahs; in addition, all of the “Big Five” animals can be seen in Tsavo East, including the Cape buffalo, black rhino, lion, leopard, and elephant, as well as a multitude of bird species such as kestrels, kingfishers, black kites, and so on. Other noteworthy elements of the park include the Lugard Falls and the Yatta Plateau, which is the world’s longest lava flow.

How to Get to Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is easiest to get by road: it is located in southern Kenya, 325 kilometers/201 miles from the capital Nairobi and around 250 kilometers/155 miles from Mombasa. There are no scheduled flights to Tsavo East National Park, although charter flights are possible to the park’s many airstrips. Kenya has two major airports: the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), southeast of Nairobi, and the smaller Moi International Airport (MBA), west of Mombasa. You can lease a 4×4 car for a self-drive safari in Kenya.

ATTRACTIONS AT TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK

Wildlife

One of the most exciting aspects of Tsavo East National Park is its abundant fauna, which includes a significant population of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Tsavo’s lions no longer have manes, yet the park is home to a large population of around 600 lions, for which the area is well-known.

Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are frequently observed in the area. Hyenas, elephants, gazelles, buffaloes, aardwolves, Grevy’s and plains zebras, wild dogs, warthogs, impalas, buffalo kobs, dik-diks, tree hyraxes, duikers, black rhinoceroses, civets, bat-eared foxes, and primates such as olive baboons and patas monkeys can also be found in Tsavo East.

Tsavo East National Park is a top place for bird watching in Kenya, with over 500 species documented, including dry savannah specialities and ducks. Its marshy, rocky, and dry open savannah vegetation supports a diverse range of bird species.

Given the wonderful topography of Tsavo East National Park, the birds are so uniformly spread that tourists will be able to see a variety of bird species no matter where they go. Tsavo East National Park is home to a variety of bird species, including hornbills, eagles, kingfishers, herons, buzzards, kestrels, starlings, ostriches, and weaver birds. You can name more, etc.

Yata tray

The Yatta Plateau, located on the northern edge of Tsavo East National Park above the Athi River, is one of the park’s most appealing features. The Yatta Plateau is the world’s longest lava flow, spanning 290 km. The plateau was produced by the eruption of Mount Ol Doinyo Sabuk.

The plateau provides stunning views of lush swamps, scattered baobabs, rivers, marshes, seasonal pools, and dams. However, the western section of the plateau is generally thicker than the dry east. The western half of the Yatta Plateau provides more rewarding vistas of volcanic hills and outcrops, whilst the eastern part is characterised by flat, thorny terrain.

Mudanda Rock

This is another picturesque feature in Tsavo East National Park. Mudanda Rock is a 1.6-kilometre-long inselberg composed of stratified rocks that acts as a water reservoir for a natural dam below. This dam is fuelled by precipitation that runs off the rock and by small amounts of rain that collect to generate massive amounts of water. During the dry season, the rock gives an excellent vantage point for observing the large numbers of elephants and other species that converge here to drink. Mudanda Rock is situated in the shrublands of south-western Tsavo East, a few minutes south of the Manyani Gate. The rock dates back to the Precambrian period and is thought to have been used by local tribes to dry strips of meat and as a lookout point. Tourists visiting Tsavo East National Park can go on a walking safari to Mudanda Rock, the peak of which provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the area from the reservoir.

The Tsavo and Galana rivers

Tsavo East National Park is traversed by two rivers, the Galana and Tsavo, which are important sources of water for the park and its wildlife. The Tsavo River flows through two national parks: Tsavo East and Tsavo West, before joining the Athi River to form the Galana River. In contrast, the Galana River passes through Tsavo East National Park before reaching the Indian Ocean. Crocodiles and hippos abound in both rivers, making a Kenya wildlife safari a fascinating experience.

The Aruba Dam

Another major source of water in Tsavo East National Park is the Aruba Dam, which spans the Voi River. The dam draws a significant number of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, and others, who come there to drink water. It’s also one of the greatest spots in the park to see lions.

Kandiri Marsh

Kanderi Marsh, a wetland in Tsavo East National Park, is home to resident lions and elephants. The marsh is located 10 kilometres from Voi Gate and is an excellent place to see lions and elephants. Kanderi Marsh is also an excellent location for Kenya wildlife safaris in Tsavo East National Park, where visitors can view a variety of animal species including as hartebeests, gazelles, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes, among others, during a game drive.

Lugard Falls

“Lugard Falls is another magnificent feature in Tsavo East National Park, and it’s a fascinating place to visit during a Kenya walking safari. Lugard Falls, named for Frederick Lugard, a British explorer and former colonial governor, flows from the Galana River and features a series of whitewater rapids.

What to do in Tsavo East National Park?

Game drives

Tsavo East National Park game drives provide an opportunity to watch wildlife from the comfort of a 4×4 car. Tsavo East National Park game drives are available both day and night, and many animals can be seen as you drive through the park’s plains, including large herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, gazelles, zebras, Masai giraffes, antelopes, black rhinos, fringe-eared oryx, warthogs, porcupines, mongooses, and bohor reed bucks, to name a few. Tsavo East National Park game drives are best done during the dry season, when the foliage is sparser and animals concentrate near waterholes, making them easier to observe. The dry season lasts from June till October.

Birdwatching expeditions.

Tsavo East National Park also provides excellent bird watching opportunities, since it is home to approximately 500 different bird species. Several arid-region specialities can be observed, including the stunning Golden-breasted Kingfisher, Golden Pipit, and Vulturine Guineafowl, as well as other species like Hornbills, Kestrels, Buzzards, and Fish Eagles, to name a few. The park is also the southernmost bastion of Somali Ostriches, as well as an important wintering place for European migratory species, which flock to the region between November and April. Tsavo East should be on your list of sites to see during your Kenya safari.

Escalation.

Rock climbing at Tsavo East National Park is an excellent sport for nature enthusiasts. The area is distinguished by jagged rock outcrops like Mudanda Rock and Yatta Plateau, which are intriguing to explore. Rock climbing in Tsavo East National Park is an excellent sport for climbers and a form of exercise that tests your physical talents. Furthermore, it provides stunning views of the park and its beauties.

Horseback Safaris

Horseback riding safaris are one of the most exciting things to do in Tsavo East National Park. Horseback riding is an environmentally friendly way to experience Tsavo East National Park on horseback, which is uncommon in most safari destinations in Kenya. This activity allows you to get up close and personal with the animals throughout your stay, providing an amazing experience.

Take a walk in nature.

Tsavo East National Park also provides daring guided bush hikes within the park, which are conducted by an expert armed guide. Guided bush walks are an excellent way to explore many of the park’s features up close and visit places that are not accessible by car. As you stroll through Tsavo East, you will see a variety of wildlife as well as spectacular natural features like as the Galana River and Mudanda Rock, among others.

What is the ideal time to visit Tsavo East National Park?

Tsavo East National Park is open year-round, although the ideal time to visit is during the dry season, which spans from July to September and December to March. These months are good for game viewing since the grass is short and animals are drawn to water sources, particularly riverbanks. However, conditions can be more severe during the peak of the short rains (November) and the long rains (April and May). The forest is deeper at this time of year, and the animals are more dispersed, making them difficult to identify. Here is thorough information about the best time to visit Kenya.