Tsavo East & Tsavo West

Tsavo East National Park

This must be one of the most evocative images of Africa. The beautiful Aruba dam located to the north bank of the seasonal Voi River is visited by thousands of animals in the park and makes a great game viewing destination. Mudanda rock is a whale-backed rock that towers above a natural dam. This rock formation runs for over 1.5km and it attracts elephants in the dry season and is a reminiscent of Australia’s Uluru (Ayers Rock), albeit on a much smaller scale. Leopards and elephants are among the wildlife to watch out for here. Lugard’s Falls named after Captain Lugard, the first proconsul to East Africa, the falls feature a bizarrely eroded rock neck through which the waters of Galana River plunge into foaming rapids and crocodile infested pools.

A visit to Tsavo National Park is worthwhile any time of the year. Not only will you find Kenya’s largest elephant herds here, but also the Big Five. Apart from rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards, there are also cheetahs. In the rivers, crocodiles and hippos lurk, while 600 bird species, many of which are waterfowls, decorate the trees, grasslands and sky above.

Due to its proximity to Mombasa, you can easily combine a safari in the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park with a relaxing beach holiday on Kenya’s coast.

A spectacular voyage of discovery, Tsavo East National Park offers some of the most magnificent game drives in the world – vast herds of dust-red elephants, fat pods of hippos, giant crocodiles and a kaleidoscope of bird life are set against a blazing backdrop of endless bush.

Tsavo west National Park

Tsavo West National Park is the second largest protected area in Kenya and is famous for the man eater lions who to date carry a bizarre history long after they terrorized, maimed and killed construction workers of the Kenya-Uganda Railway in 1898. The railway construction was abruptly halted by the most voracious and insatiable man-eating lions.

The first World War Site-East African Campaign, and perhaps the most bizarre campaign of the world war was fought in the “Bundu” (Bush) – the barely explored wilderness of thorny shrub and dense forest of Tsavo West. This last ‘gentleman war’ was waged under the code of honor-sometimes; or under guerilla tactics adopted from African tribal fighters. Lake Jipe, lies astride Kenya and Tanzania boarder and is teeming with aquatic life, Bird watching is also major activity around the lake.

The spectacular Mzima Springs is an impressive sight of a million gallons of crystal clear waters gushing out of the under parched lava rocks forming the most welcoming and lovely scenes from Africa’s rolling jungle. Painted on a sprawling canvas of endless skies, emerald hills, liquid lava flows, palm fringed rivers, teeming wildlife and sparkling oasis set against the impressive backdrop of mile upon mile of cloud shadowed African savannah. Even though the sometimes dense vegetation of Tsavo West National Park can make animal viewing a bit more difficult, you can find the Big Five here – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. Especially at the waterholes you will find many animals quenching their thirst. In addition to the many wild animals to be found here, Tsavo West National Park also impresses with its diverse and interesting landscape. Due to its proximity to Mombasa, you can easily combine a safari in Tsavo West National Park with a relaxing beach holiday on the white sandy beaches of Kenya’s coast.