Best of Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in Kenya. Incredible landscapes, rich biodiversity, and wonderful wildlife safaris are a mark of the Tsavo. It covers approximately 13,747 square kilometers and offers vast open grounds that are excellent for larger animals. This is a park that was established in 948 as the larger Tsavo Conservancy which was later divided into two, the Tsavo East and West. The park is particularly famous for the red elephants that freely roam in the park. In addition to the elephants, the rest of the five big fives are also present: the lion, leopard, buffaloes, and rhinos. The Yatta plateau is also part of this magnificent park which is the world's longest lava flow spreading to almost 300 kilometers. Have an experience of the elephants as they spray each other with the waters of the Galana River. Let this park be part of your itinerary when you visit Kenya next.

Elephants at Galana River in Tsavo East

Location:

Tsavo East is located in southeastern Kenya on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. This park is excellent for travelers seeking a safari experience after enjoying the Kenyan Coast beaches. The park has many gates along the Mombasa highway, the main gate is at Mtito Andei. One is at Buchuma others are at Voi, Manyani, and Sala Gates. For those who prefer traveling by air, they can use various airstrips inside the park for chartered flights such as Aruba, Satao, Ithumba, Sangayaya, and Bachuma.

Tsavo East Experience

The vast park boasts a range of wild animal species.

The "Red" Elephants of Tsavo.

The most famous occupants of the Tsavo are the Red elephants who have a rusty color that does not come from their own genetics but from the red volcanic soil that is found in the park. These elephants use the soil to bathe and protect themselves from the harsh weather and insect bites. They will then use mud to bathe and cool down. The huge herds of elephants roam across the vast Tsavo East creating a lifetime experience.

Red elephants of Tsavo

The Carnivores of Tsavo.

Tsavo East is home to several of the big cats of Africa. It is famously known for the Man-Eaters of Tsavo a legendary story of two lions that would attack and eat men who were working on the rail line from Mombasa to Nairobi. These lions still roam freely in the Tsavo up to date resting and hunting under the tall acacia trees. Other carnivores that hunt in this enormous park are Cheetahs, Leopards, Hyenas, and Jackals.

Herbivores of Tsavo

There are a wide variety of herbivore species found in the Tsavo East.
Buffaloes.
Giraffes- These are mostly the Maasai Giraffe
Zebra
Antelopes such as the lesser kudu and gerenuk
Hippos and crocodiles in the Galana River.

Birds of Tsavo

There are over 500 species of birds found at the Tsavo East. This is the perfect place for bird photographers.

Some of the most famous birds at this park are:

African Fish Eagle.

Secretary Bird

Ostrich

Kingfishers

Hornbills

Kori Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds.

Attractions of Tsavo East

Tsavo East is a scenic place that has various iconic natural attractions as follows.

Lugard Falls.

This huge waterfall along the Galana River is named after an explorer known as Frederick Lugard. These cascading waterfalls offer a picture-perfect spot for photography and nature walks.

Mudanda Rock

This inselberg stretching 1.6 kilometers holds water at its base during the rainy season and animals will mostly quench their thirst here during the dry season. Visitors will spot elephants on this rock as they drink their water in their herds.

Yatta Plateau

Yatta Plateau is the world's longest lava flow, stretching over 300 kilometers. which is an extremely beautiful view.

Aruba Dam

This is a dam at the Park that was constructed in 1952, it has become a reservoir that attracts wild animals.

When to visit Tsavo East 

It is important to note that visiting the Tsavo requires advanced planning and also understanding of all the different climatic seasons of Kenya. There are two major dry seasons, the period between January and March and the other one between June and October. Weather at these two times of the year is dry and the roads are passible. The dry season also encourages the animals to congregate around the water holes thus it becomes easy to view the animals.

If you prefer to visit the Tsavo when it is green, the wet seasons of April to May and November to December are the best times. Although the road could be impassible at this time.

A Safari In The Tsavo involves the following.

Game drive

This can be in the morning and the evening which proves to be the best time for spotting the animals.

Walks in The Tsavo

Lodges around the parks can offer walks with guides for an interaction with the environment.

Night Safaris

Some private conservancies offer night drives, where you can view the animals at night.

Cultural Visits

A safari at the Tsavo can also offer you a chance to visit one of the local communities of the Maasai and Taita.

Accommodation services at The Tsavo

  There is a wide range of accommodation services at the Tsavo ranging from high-end to midrange lodges.

Here are some of them:

Luxury Lodges

Satao Camp

Ashnil Aruba Lodge

Voi safari Lodge

The best part is that all these lodges offer the best services and incredible views of the park.

   Mid-range Camps.

Manyatta camp

Ndololo Safari Camp

These are excellent lodges that give an excellent safari experience.

 Budget Options

These are basic lodges and public camping sites under the open skies for adventurous people.

Other considerations.

A safari is once in a long time experience for most people. It is therefore important to carry all the essentials needed in a safari.

1. Carry enough water to quench your thirst,
   2. Pack the right kind of clothes
   3. Maintain a safe distance from the animals.
   4. Check vaccination requirement
   5. Hire a professional guide to take you through your safari.

Tsavo East remains one of the best places you can visit for a safari that will remain to be on the top list all over the world. Hot air balloons can also be requested and are also offered by a few of the tour operators, this way you can have a good view of the Tsavo and all the wildlife.