Tsavo West National Park is located on south eastern Kenya along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and stretches from Mtito Andei to the Tanzanian border. Tsavo West and Tsavo East National Parks was once a single park, but are now separated. The savannah ecosystem comprises of open grasslands, semi desert scrublands, acacia woodlands, belts of mountain forest and rocky ridges.
Tsavo West National Park's landscape is dominated, especially off the hills by the giant native baobab trees that are reputed to live a thousand years. Towards the chyulu hills, we have shetani lava flow, ash cones and caves which are an example of recent volcanoes with potential for geological, cave exploration and hiking.
The railway runs along the border separating Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park. In 1898, as many as 135 railway workers were attacked and killed by man-eating lions. The pair of male lions that unusually hunted human rather than livestock, evaded traps and capture for many months. The man-eaters were eventually shot dead by Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, but the legend lives on.
Major wildlife attractions include elephants, leopards, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, buffalos, dik-dik and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Primates include baboons and vervet monkeys. The Park has is also a host to over 600 bird species including the threatened corncrake and Basra Reed Warbler.
Other attractions include Mzima Springs,a pool containing natural spring water with excellent hippos and crocodiles viewing. Lake Jipe for fantastic views and bird watching and Chaimu Crater, the volcanic crater that is not less than 200 years old which you can climb.
Tsavo West National Park is located about 240 Km from Nairobi and 250 Km from Mombasa and covers an area of 9,065 sq Km. |
