Best Self Drive guide to Tsavo National Park

Tsavo National Park is a primary tourist destination in Kenya, situated in the southwestern region of the country. Tsavo is partitioned into two regions: Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. The park is renowned for its population of lions, formerly referred to as the “Man-Eaters,” as well as enormous herds of elephants and other animal species. The park encompasses 13,747 square kilometers.

Tsavo National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Kenya, is situated in the southeastern region of the country and comprises Tsavo West National Park and Tsavo East National Park, which are divided by a railway line. Renowned for its man-eating lions, Tsavo National Park features a difficult terrain of mountains and forested grasslands, particularly in Tsavo West National Park. Conversely, Tsavo East National Park is distinguished by semiarid grasslands and savannah, where several wildlife species are observable. The man-eating lions of Tsavo National Park acquired their notoriety after two maneless lions assaulted construction workers during the railway’s construction through the park. These lions are among the sights that captivate travelers exploring this national park.

The national park is administered by Kenya Wildlife Services, which oversees various tourism amenities in Tsavo National Park, including access roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, while also advocating for conservation at the site.

The Kenya species Service is responsible for ensuring that tourists adhere to the established rules and regulations within the national park, as well as managing, protecting, and conserving species in Tsavo National Park and throughout Kenya.

Entrance costs for this national park differ based on the categories of foreign residents, nonresidents, and East Africans. Children incur different prices than adults during safaris at Tsavo National Park.

Nonresidents are charged 52 USD for adults and 35 USD for children, whilst East Africans pay entrance fees for Tsavo National Park in Kenyan shillings (KSHS). The entrance prices for Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks are comparable.

Tourists may access Tsavo West National Park via various entry points, including Maktau Gate, Mbuyuni Gate, Jipe Gate, Ziwani Gate, Chyulu Gate, and Kasigau Gate. The national park may be entered by the Mtito Andei route from Nairobi, which serves as a primary entry point, in addition to the Chyulu gate.

Tourists entering Tsavo East National Park may approach the site via Manyani Gate, Voi Gate, Buchuma Gate, and Sala Gate. Tourist attractions observable on safaris in Tsavo National Park include the following:

Within Tsavo West National Park

Wildlife species: Tsavo West National Park is a prominent wildlife viewing destination in Kenya, attracting tourists to observe diverse species, including rhinos, hippos, elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, hartebeests, impalas, elands, fringe-eyed oryx, giraffes, and kudu, among others.

Mzima Springs: Tourists at Tsavo West National Park can also explore Mzima Springs, renowned for its crystalline waters and inhabited by hippos and crocodiles. The springs comprise four sources located in the western section of the national park. Mzima Springs derives its water from a natural aquifer beneath the Chyulu Hills. The springs provide water for the wildlife species that inhabit the savannah grasslands. The trees encircling the springs harbor vervet monkeys that consume the fruits of date trees, raffia palms, waterberries, and figs. A diverse array of avian species can be observed in the woods surrounding the Mzima Springs.

Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary: An additional attraction within Tsavo West National Park is the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, situated at the base of Ngulia Hill. The location has several endangered rhinoceroses that are maintained and bred by the Kenya Wildlife Service and the African Wildlife Foundation. The refuge was established to safeguard rhinos from poaching. The black rhinos housed at the refuge are nocturnal, making sightings uncommon, though not impossible. In light of the black rhinos’ imminent extinction, the sanctuary, which is securely gated and monitored by rangers and personnel, enhances the populations of rhinos and other animal species, including elephants, observable within the national park.

The Shetani lava flow offers tourists the opportunity to observe the black, folded lava traversing the savannah, together with the stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. Various wildlife species, including carnivores, can be observed during a visit to the Shetani lava flows. The Shetani caves, produced by volcanic activity, are located close the lava flows. Shetani denotes devil, a term used by locals to describe the period when lava erupted from the earth, which they felt signified the devil emerging from the ground. The Shetani lava flow is accessible via the Chyulu gate, one of the entrance points to Tsavo West National Park.

Within Tsavo East National Park;

Tsavo East National Park features numerous attractions observable during a safari to the location, including the following:

The River Galana attracts various wildlife species, making it one of the highlights of Tsavo East National Park. The river originates in the hills of southeastern Kenya, traverses the national park, and empties into the Indian Ocean. While visiting River Galana, guests may observe crocodiles while they appreciate the splendor of Tsavo East National Park.
The Yatta Plateau is a prominent geographical feature and a notable attraction inside Tsavo East National Park, situated between the Athi River and the Tavi River. The plateau features expansive valleys and shallowly spaced valleys, both of which were created by lava flows.

Lugard Falls: Tourists may visit Lugard Falls during their safaris in Tsavo East National Park, an attraction situated along the Galana River. This attraction features formations of solidified lava. The falls were named in honor of Lord Frederick Lugard, who traversed the region. The rapids were created due to the obstruction of the river flow by carved channels and rocks. At the base of the falls, guests can observe wildlife species such as buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles in the pool that has developed there.

Mubanda Rock: This prominent rock is situated near the Manyani Gate in Tsavo East National Park, distinguishing itself from the surrounding landscape. In the dry season, wildlife congregates around the water catchment region adjacent to the stratified rock, facilitating travelers’ observation of diverse species during safaris as they witness the animals drinking from the pool.

Aruba Dam: Situated east of the Voi Gate, Aruba Dam serves as a water source for diverse wildlife species observable in Tsavo East National Park, including waterbucks, zebras, warthogs, elephants, duikers, hartebeests, dik diks, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo, among others. It supplies water for wildlife species during the dry season and was constructed by the park administration.

Kanderi Swamp: An additional attraction for travelers visiting Tsavo East National Park is Kanderi Swamp. This wetland serves as a freshwater source for the wildlife species within the national park. The marsh is situated adjacent to the Voi gate, an access point to the national park.

The Tsavo River, an additional feature at this area, traverses the Tsavo East National Park. The river converges with the Athi River to create the Galana River.

Tourists participate in several activities during their safaris in Tsavo National Park, including the following:

Game drives: Tourists may participate in game drives while exploring Tsavo National area to observe its diverse wildlife species and other attractions within the area. Game drives occur at various times throughout the day, including morning, afternoon, evening, and full-day excursions.

During morning game drives, guests can observe several animal species that are active at this hour. Tourists are advised to visit Tsavo National Park for an exceptional wildlife viewing experience, where they can observe various species, including elephants, buffaloes, baboons, warthogs, waterbucks, impalas, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, kudus, antelopes, and leopards, as they graze throughout the park.

Full-day game drives are available for tourists on their safaris in Tsavo East National Park. This type of game drive allows travelers to view wildlife species and examine their behaviors at various times of day.

Nighttime game drives are available at the national park to observe nocturnal wildlife species. Ranger escorts accompany tourists on nocturnal game drives, during which photography and filming are permitted.

Birding enthusiasts are included in their safaris to Tsavo National Park, where they can observe a variety of avian species, including ostriches, starlings, storks, pied kingfishers, vulturine guineafowl, African finfoot, reed warblers, corncrakes, lesser kestrels, martial eagles, northern brownbuls, red-backed shrikes, and black-faced sandgrouse, among others.

Mzima Springs is an excellent avian observation site within Tsavo West National Park, where visitors may appreciate stunning vistas and observe monkeys in the trees adjacent to the springs, along with hippos and crocodiles.

Nature walks offer a distinctive method of experiencing the splendor of Tsavo National Park by traversing the area on foot. This wildlife observation activity provides guests with an intimate engagement with their natural environment.

These nature walks occur under the guidance of a ranger who provides insights into the various attractions encountered along the diverse trails in Tsavo National Park.

Hiking: Tourists may partake in hiking excursions during their safaris in Tsavo National Park, appreciating the stunning vistas from an elevated perspective. The undulating and uneven terrain of Tsavo West National Park facilitates the execution of the activity.

While hiking, climbers can observe wildlife species, including elephants, traversing the plains. The various rocks available for climbing provide travelers with a distinctive experience, characterized by climbs that can be challenging and arduous, as well as those that demand less exertion.

Directions to Tsavo National Park

Tourists can visit Tsavo National Park by many means, including road transport and air travel, to explore its attractions and participate in wildlife viewing activities.

Tourists can access Tsavo East National Park via the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Various airstrips are available for travelers to access the national park, including Voi airstrip, Aruba airstrip, Satao airfield, Sala airstrip, Ithumba airstrip, and Bachuma airstrip, among others.

Tourists can visit Tsavo West National Park by scheduled and charter aircraft. Tourists can go by road from Nairobi.

Accommodations in Tsavo National Park

During visits to Tsavo National Park, guests can choose from many lodging options, including luxury, midrange, and budget lodgings. The selection of accommodation is contingent upon various criteria, including the tourists’ budget.

Luxury lodgings comprise Finch Hattons Camp, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Rhino Valley Lodge, Kiboko Camp, Satao Camp, and numerous others.

Midrange lodgings in Tsavo National Park comprise Voi Wildlife Lodge, Asnil Aruba Lodge, Red Elephants Safari Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, and Lions Bluff Lodge.

Budget or basic accommodations comprise Lake Jipe Safari Camp, Manyatta Camp, Voyager Ziwani Safari Camp, and Leopard Lodge, among others.

Discover the wildness of Tsavo National Park while relaxing and exploring the habitat of the man-eating lions, indulging in various wildlife viewing activities by organizing your safari to this destination with Focus East Africa Tours.