Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park is a sister park to Tsavo East, located in the southeastern part of Kenya. Separated by the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, these two parks together form Kenya’s largest park, covering a total area of 22,000 square kilometers, and rank among the largest wildlife habitats in the world. Tsavo West is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including swamps, vast rocky terrain, and a rich array of wildlife.

 Highlights of Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West offers a variety of experiences and is an ideal destination for walking safaris. The park is known for its varied nature, featuring scenic landscapes and numerous wildlife species. Day and night game drives provide opportunities to see both diurnal and nocturnal animals, with drivers allowed to off-track for closer encounters.

With over 600 bird species and a plethora of wildlife, including leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, and lions, Tsavo West is a haven for nature enthusiasts. A notable attraction is the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, located at the base of the Ngulia Hills. Supported by the Rhino ARK program, this sanctuary plays a critical role in protecting rhinos from extinction.

 Activities in Tsavo West

 Game Drives

Game drives are the best way to explore Tsavo West’s wildlife. Conducted in 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs, these drives offer excellent opportunities to see a variety of animals. Whether you choose a morning, afternoon, evening, or night game drive, you’re likely to encounter leopards, civets, genet cats, bush babies, lions, antelopes, and more. A full-day game drive allows for extended viewing, while night drives offer the chance to see nocturnal species.

 Bird Watching

With over 600 bird species, Tsavo West is a bird watcher’s paradise. Some common species include the common greenshank, crab plover, white-fronted plover, grey plover, sooty gull, greater crested tern, Sokoke scops owl, African barred owlet, sombre nightjar, Donaldson-Smith’s nightjar, river warbler, red-backed shrike, thrush nightingale, marsh warbler, common whitethroat, Tsavo sunbird, Nubian nightjar, slender-tailed nightjar, fiery-necked nightjar, striped pipit, Malindi pipit, Sokoke pipit, mangrove kingfisher, brown-hooded kingfisher, brown-headed parrot, Somali sparrow, and northern carmine bee-eater. Bird watching excursions often take place around Lake Jipe and the park’s swamps.

 Visit the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary

The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of the endangered black rhinoceros. Located at the base of the Ngulia Hills, this sanctuary offers visitors the chance to see these magnificent animals up close and learn about conservation efforts.

  Visit the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary

Located approximately 220 km from Mombasa near Mwatate in Taita-Taveta County, the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary covers 48,000 acres. Formed by the Lualenyi, Mramba communal grazing area, and Oza group ranch, it is home to species such as waterbucks, Thomson’s gazelles, lesser kudus, dik-diks, Cape buffaloes, hartebeests, impalas, leopards, Masai giraffes, and zebras.

 Community and Cultural Tours

Tsavo West also offers rich cultural experiences. Visitors can explore Maasai lands, learning about the history, lifestyle, and traditions of the Maasai people. These tours often include tasting local dishes and enjoying traditional dances, providing a deep insight into Maasai culture.

  Accessibility

Tsavo West can be accessed by road and air. The main road route is via the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. For those preferring air travel, there are airstrips within the park, facilitating easy access.

Tsavo West National Park, with its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural experiences, is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Kenya’s natural beauty.