Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park, otherwise known as “ Theatre of the Wild”, covers an area of 13,747 square km (5,308 sq miles), located in the Taita -Taveta County. The park is flat with dry plains where the Galana River flows” easterly through the Park. A combination of grassland, savannah and riverbeds produce one of Kenya's most affluent biodiverse areas, attracting abundant wildlife and birdlife. Tsavo East National Park attracts over 500 bird species, making it a top destination for avid birders. The park is also a haven for wildlife, including the famous “Big Five” (Elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, & leopards). The park hosts the mindblowing Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, making it one of the unique locations in Kenya for your safari holiday. Yatta Plateau is one of the most important attraction in Tsavo East National Park and must visit feature while on a Kenya safari in the park, Yatta plateau is the world’s longest lava flow of 290 kilometres formed as a result of lava that formed the Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain during the eruption process, Yatta plateau runs along the western border of the Tsavo East National Park above Athi River.
Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is among the best places in Kenya to see rhinos, and there’s a good chance that you’ll spot lions and an extensive portfolio of other safari species. Whether you visit the park as a precursor to a longer safari, a final goodbye to Kenya, or the main event, Nairobi NP deserves as much time as you can give it. Nairobi NP is a sampler for Kenya’s safari landscapes, but with city buildings on the horizon (which can make for some unusual wildlife pictures). You enter the park along a track that descends through dry woodland before the panorama of savannah grasslands opens up before you. Elsewhere in the park, there are waterholes, riverine woodlands and rolling grasslands. In the park’s south, the Athi River Track shadows the river.
Tsavo East is home to four of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo). Although the park officially has rhino, the species hasn’t been seen here in years. The park is a stronghold for elephants, and you’ll commonly find them with a reddish appearance from the distinctive red soil of the area. Tsavo is also famous for its maneless lions.
Wildlife Experience
Tsavo East National Park has an abundance of wildlife. During your adventure, you will see and take pictures of your favourite animals as they roam freely in their natural environment. Some of the animals you will expect to see are the “Big Five” (Elephants, Rhinos, Buffalos, Lions and Leopards). Other include southeast African cheetahs, giraffes, plain and stripped zebras, wild dogs, gazelles, kudus, oryx, eland, crocodiles, hippos, bushbuck, bush baby, caracal, African civet, Dik-Dik, bat-eared-fox, gerenuk, spring hare, mongoose, vervet monkey, syke’s monkey, yellow baboons, aardwolf, African wild cat, Kirk's blue duiker, common eland, klipspringer, coke’s hartebeest, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal and side, stripped jackal, lesser kudu, impala, crested porcupine, giant rat, elephant shrew, northern greater galago, yellow-spotted rock hyrax among many others.
Note: As of 2006, there were about 675 lions in the Tsavo-Amboseli area.
Birdlife Experience
If you enjoy birdwatching, there is plenty to be excited for, as Tsavo East National Parks attract over 500 species of birds. Birding in the park is a thrilling safari activity. Many tourists appreciate that about 400 species constitute the resident birds, while the other 100 are migratory birds. They include the Martial Eagle, African Finfoot, Parrot, Secretary bird, Golden Pitpit, Somali Ostrich, Golden Breasted Starling, Little Egret, Hamerkop, Masai Ostrich, Black-Faced Sangrouse, Love Birds, Vultures and many others.
Locate the Tsavo East National Park
Getting There
By Air: Flying Safaris are accessed through the following airstrips: Voi, Aruba, Cottars, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Mopeo, Bachuma and Sangayaya. The flight time from Nairobi is approximately 1 hour. From Mombasa, the flight time is about 30 minutes to Voi, and then you can continue your journey on a 3-hour road transfer to Tsavo East National Park.
By Road: The drive from Nairobi to the park's gate, Mtito Andei, is approximately 233km South of Nairobi and 250km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi-Mombasa road. The drive is about 4-6 hours on Mombasa Road.
By Train: You can travel to Tsavo East by train using the Madaraka Express from Nairobi or Mombasa, a unique experience with scenic views. The train from Nairobi takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the train from Mombasa is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in Voi, a destination transfer will be provided.
Best time to visit
The dry months of June to October and January to mid-March are the best times to visit Tsavo East National Park. Mid-March to May and November are rainy months in Tsavo West National Park. You can still visit the park during these times.
