The Joint mass of Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park forms one of the largest National parks in the world and covers a massive of 40% of Kenya’s total land area. Tsavo East National Park is larger than Tsavo West National Park and it lies to the east of Nairobi –Mombasa road, equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa. The park is a famous destination for tourist especially because of its closeness to the coastal regions and it has been accredited as one of the world’s leading biodiversity strongholds, bushy grassland and open plains alternate with semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands.
Tsavo East National Park is a vast plain, broken by the meandering length of the Galana River. A major feature of the park, this river is fringed by riverine forests dominated by Acacia’s elatior, the doum palm and the shrub Suaeda monoica. Running almost the length of the park is a meandering ridge of lava intrusion-the Yatta plateau. The Plateau is a ridge of solidified lava about 300km long and a maximum of 10km wide, which forms a never ending backdrop of Tsavo East National Park. It is one of the longest lava flows in the world offering a fabulous view across the park.
The park is a must for professional photographers for its landscapes, its lighting and famous for its large herds of big mammals such as elephants, buffalos and lions.
Major Attractions
Wildlife: there is a great concentration of wildlife especially during dry season near rivers, dams and swampy areas. The park is internationally known for its large herds of red-dusty elephants wallowing in water of Rivers. Other vast groups of mammals visiting the ponds and waterholes are buffalo, zebra, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, waterbuck and giraffe. Gazelles and antelopes, from the dik-dik to the Oryx, are numerous. Lions are abundant and are often spotted at Kanderi swamps and Aruba dam.
Birds: Tsavo East National Park is a paradise with some 500 species of birds recorded including the ostrich, kestrels, buzzards, African skimmers, goshawks, red and yellow bishops and palm nut among others.
Yatta Plateau: it’s an impressive lava flow being a paradise for ornithologists and sundowner lovers. It was formed millions years ago by a stream of lava flow of phonolite finding its way into an ancient river valley. Since, the surrounding land was lowered by erosion leaving the lava standing up as a small escarpment.
Mudanda Rock: This massive rock is one of the great impressive natures of the Tsavo East National park with perfect vantage point; the rock is famous for its photo opportunities as it offers unique endless panoramic views across the Tsavo National Parks. It is a safe place to picture hundreds of elephants and buffalos refreshing themselves up at a natural pond, located at its base on the eastern side. On the western side you can climb to the top through a footpath and a carved stone stair.
Aruba Dam: it was built in 1952 in order to provide wildlife with water during dry seasons; it holds water throughout the year. The Aruba dam is a perfect place to get refreshment in the bar of the Aruba lodge while watching water birds, large mammals’ drinking water in the dam.
Kanderi Swamps: it’s a home to abundant of wildlife as it is one of the two drinking point (with Aruba dam) which provides fresh water throughout the year. Like an oasis attracting many animals, large groups of mammals as well as water birds can be observed in the swampy area.
Galana River: The Tsavo and Athi rivers join together to form the Galana River, which flows eastwards to the Indian Ocean. The Galana River is one of the best circuits of the park as you will see the Lugards falls and the Crocodile point.
Other attractions around the park are Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu hills National Park and Taita Hills Game Reserve.
How to get to Tsavo East National Park.
By Road:. From Nairobi you can enter via Voi Gate ()or Manyani Gate, while from Mombasa you will enter through Bachuma Gate and from Malindi or the north coast pass through Sala Gate.
By Air: Chartered light aircrafts may land at any of the six airstrips in the south part of the park, or any of the 13 airstrips in the north.
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