Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is among the oldest as well as largest wildlife parks in Kenya. It covers an area of 11,747square kilometers although not all of it is open to public tourism. it was established back in 1948. The park has numerous areas that serve as waterholes for the animals especially during the dry season among which are:dams, pools and RiverGalana.
Back In 1898, before the establishment of this park, this area had twomaneless male lions that terrorizethis area. it is supposedlythat these lions killed 135 workers who were constructing the Uganda – Kenya Railway. Despite the presence of thorny fences (locally referred to as Bomas) which were constructed around the sleeping area of the workers, these man eating lionswould drag their victims from their tents.These lions were very fearless; they would even evade traps and dodge ambushes not until Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson shot the dead.
ThePark is located 333km southeast of Nairobi Kenya’s capital city, and 173km northwest of Mombasa town. Its relative proximity to the coastal towns and beaches makes it a perfect destination to enjoy a day-time wildlife safari especially for those not interested in spending the night in the park.
The park’s terrain is generally flat and comprised of dry plains, swamps around the river and thorny bushes. It is filled with several different African wildlife species such as large groups of giraffes,zebras, plus hartebeests in addition to Africa’s “Big Five” animals that include lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and African elephants.
What to see / do inTsavo East National Park
Game Drives / Wildlife Viewing
This is the primary and most done tourist activity within the park. The game 2drives here are conducted early morning as well as late in the afternoon and each of these is guide by knowledgeable guides and armed park rangers. Unique about this park is that the predators only kill to eat so because of that the animalslive in harmony. Some of the commonly seen wildlife here include: lions, gazelles,impalas, leopards, crocodiles,African elephants,squirrels, Cape buffalo, black rhinoceros, Sykes’s monkeys, mongoose, cheetahs, crested porcupines, duikers, giant rats, gazelles, hartebeests, vervet monkeys, gerenuks, giraffes, zebras, hares, waterbucks, hyenas as well aswarthogs.
Bird watching : there are more than 500 different bird species found in his park which can be seen during our exciting bird which best between October and January, with many migratory birds including: African skimmers, red and yellow bishops, goshawks, buffalo weavers and palm nut vultures, to name but a few. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the park, including ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaverbirds, kingfishers, hornbills, secretary birds and herons.
Visit Lugard’s Waterfalls: there are a series of beautiful rapids found on River Galana where the huge crocodilesenjoy bathing.
Visit the Yatta Plateau: this is the longest lava-flow in the world currently covering a length of 290kilometers
Visit the Mudanda Rock: this is a 1.6 kilometer rock outcrop having a dam at the bottom. Here, animals are commonly seen drinking water.
Walking safaris: join our ex citing guided walking safaris along the beautiful banks of River Galana.
Visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary: this sanctuary offers a safe refuge for black rhino which due to severe poaching were almost becoming extinct.
Climate / weather ofTsavo East national park
Tsavo East National Park lies just a few degrees south of the equator, and experiences a somewhat constant temperature all year round. The average annual temperature range during the day is from 27 to 31°C / 81-88°F), and at night 22 to 24°C / 72 to 75°F.
The long rains begin in March, April up to May, which the short rains begin in October through November up to December. The humidity is highest from December up to April. It’s not advisable to travel during the rainy months.
How to get to Tsavo East National park
The park can be accessed using air, train or road transport.
By Road: there are a number of access gets through which you can get into the park. For those traveling from Nairobi you will drive over 333km and enter throughVoi Gate, from Mombasa covering a 173km distance and enter through the Bachuma Gate; and those from the north coast and Malindican enter through Sala Gate. You may choose to use public means of transport or use a private safari vehicle booked through your tour operator.
By Railway:you will use the Nairobi-Mombasa railway which runs through Tsavo East National Park
By Air: there are six (6) airstrips within the southern part of this park, as well as thirteen (13) airstrips in the northern sector, so you can take a chartered light-aircrafts that lands at any of these.
Where to Stay / Accommodation
Because of the park’s proximity to the major towns of Mombasa as well asMalindi, most tourists prefer to stay in the coastal beach resorts in Mombasa. Nonetheless, there is also accommodation within the park ranging from budget, mid-range and luxury. There are also nice tented camps in the park such as Galdessa Camp, EpiyaChapeyu Camp,Tsavo Safari Camp, Satao Camp as well asSobo and Patterson Safari Camp.
Best time to visit Tsavo East National park
The best time to visit the park is from January through February as well as from June through September. Refrain from visiting during the wet months of March, April and May as well as October, November and December. The average annual temperatures during the day range from 27 to 31°C / 81 to 88°F, and then at night from 22 to 24°C (72-75°F) at night.
For best views of Birds especially the migratory species we recommend you visit from October to