Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s oldest and largest national park. The park comprises 13,747 square km in southern Kenya. The park was founded in April 1948 and is located near the town of Voi in Taita-Taveta county, formerly known as Coast province. The “theatre of the wild” is home to red dusty elephants who roll and shower themselves with termite moulds.
The Tsavo National Park was formed in 1948 before being partitioned into two sections, Tsavo East and Tsavo East National Park, for ease of management. Tsavo National Park had a total land size of 22,000 square kilometres prior to its partition. The park is separated by the road and the railway line that passes through the centre of the two parks.
Tsavo East National Park is named after the Tsavo River, which runs from west to east through the park. Tsavo East National Park is unique in that it is Kenya’s only park that allows night game drives within its boundaries. The park shares borders with Tanzania’s Chulu Hills National Park and Mkomazi Game Reserves. The park is characterised by the infinite expanse of savannah grassland that comprises the most of the wilderness in the park.
The park is watered by two rivers: the Athi and the Tsavo, which eventually merge to form the Galana River. The park’s vegetation is semi-arid grassland. The park is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Location
The Tsavo East National Park is located in southwest Kenya, between the country’s capital, Nairobi, and the bustling business hub of Mombasa. It is also close to the beautiful beaches of the Kenyan Coast.
Getting to Tsavo East National Park.
The park is easily accessible from both Mombasa (on the coast) and Nairobi. The park’s Mtito Andei gates are located around 233 kilometres south of Nairobi along the Nairobi Mombasa road. The park can also be accessed from Malindi via the Western Road, which enters at Sala Gate. Tsavo East National Park can also be reached via regular flights to various airstrips within the park, including Voi, Satao, Sala, Mopeo, Bachuma, Cottars, and many others.
Attractions of Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is located along the Yatta Plateau, which is home to one of the world’s longest lava flows. Gifted by nature, the park has lots to offer guests, including a variety of attractions. The following are the notable attractions at the Tsavo East National Park.
Wildlife
The park is well-known for its vast herds of Red Duty Elephants, as well as the presence of all of Africa’s big five: lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants. Other creatures include giraffes, hyenas, gazelles, zebras, and many others. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including black kites, lovebirds, crowned cranes, holy ibises, and many others.
Mudanda Rock
This inselberg is located in the heart of the park and is stratified with outstanding old stage rock art. It also serves as a water catchment area for the natural dam beneath the rock, where hundreds of animals and other creatures gather to drink.
Yatta Plateau
This is the main attraction at Tsavo East National Park; it is the world’s longest lava flow. The Yatta Plateau extends from the western side of the boundary above the Athi River to the east. It is 290 km long, produced by lava from Mount Ol doinyo Sabuk.
Lugard falls.
This is named after the European explorer Frederick Lugard, who was the first to find the falls. Many visitors come here for both pleasure and historical reasons.
Aruba Dam
This dam, built across the River Voi in 1952, serves as a habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial fauna.
Activities in Tsavo East National Park
With its many features, Tsavo East National Park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. These are the main activities done at Tsavo East National Park:
Game viewing
This is the main activity in all of Africa’s national parks; every guest who wishes to visit Africa thinks of Africa’s big five (lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and rhinos). The park is well-endowed with wildlife, and in addition to the big five, you can see more creatures during your full-day or half-day game drive. It is even more unique because it is the only Tsavo East National Park that offers night game drives. The night game drives allow you to see many nocturnal species such as bush babies, lions, hyenas, and many more.
Nature walks.
Visiting the Lugard Falls and the Karibu Dam, as well as participating in game ranger-led guided treks.
Birding
Tsavo East National Park has around 500 bird species. Birders always go to the park, which has both montane and savannah birds.
Tsavo East National Park is Kenya’s largest park, even after being divided into West and East Tsavo National Parks.
