Tsavo West National Park

The Tsavo West National Park is "Full of wild beasts, such as rhinoceros, buffaloes and elephants" from a missionary's diary written in 1848.

Later in 1900 the notorious "Man Eaters of Tsavo", man-eating lions preyed on linesmen building the great Uganda Railway in 1900. The carriage from which they pulled a traveler is on display at the Nairobi Railway Museum.

Tsavo-West National Park has important historic connections as a major battleground in World War I where British and German troops battled for supremacy.

The park, located off the main Nairobi-Mombassa road is easily accessible. It offers tremendous views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forests, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. It borders the southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania.

Game include: leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and the nocturnal porcupine.

It is an excellent park for visitors who enjoy walking, offering a number of nature trails and the opportunity to explore the Chaimu volcanic crater. Guides are available.

Mzima Springs is a star attraction, a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos.

Chyulu Hills National Park is an extension of Tsavo-West National Park. It was opened in January 1983 to protect its unique habitat and role as a vital water catchment area.

The Chyulus are a volcanic mountain range with a mix of volcanic cones and barren lava flows, of which the most interesting is Shetani, meaning "Devil" in Kiswahili.

If you love birds, Lake Jipe is the place to be. There is a lovely little camp and a fantastic spot to observe them all and be away from the 'masses' for a peaceful experience.

Game includes: buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, lion, leopard and many bird and plant species.

The park offers a number of activities: horse riding, hiking, camping, archaeological and geological safaris with caves to explore and fantastic views across the Amboseli and Tsavo plains.

Tsavo West National Park Facts

• Altitude 500 - 6000ft.
• Area 9,065 sq. kms
• Distance from Nairobi 240 kms
• Opened April 1948
• Cave & Geological exploration: shetani lava flow & caves
• Excellent bird watching over 600 species
• Game viewing: elephant, rhino sanctuary
• Mzima springs - Underwater hippo watching
• Excellent views of Mount Kilimanjaro
• Chyulu Hills National Park extension of Tsavo-West National Park

Reference: Kenya Wildlife Services

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