Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park is a breakout of the original Tsavo National Park, which was split into two when a main road was constructed. The original Tsavo National Park was divided into two Kenya National Parks of Tsavo East National park and Tsavo West National Park. Tsavo West is found along the Kenyan coast, adjacent to the Indian Ocean. Tsavo West is 9065 square kilometres wide, on a highway that runs from Nairobi to Mombasa as well as a railway line from Nairobi to Mombasa. Tsavo West adjoins ranches and a number of protected areas all that combine to form the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Tsavo West is one of the most visited Kenya national park, and is the most visited compared with Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo West is most visited compared to Tsavo East National Park because of the fact that it has spectacular scenery, and is easily accessed from the Coastal Province of Kenya. Tsavo West has a variety of wildlife species, and with several volcanic features like Mzima springs, rocks and so much more.
Tsavo West National Park Attractions
Tsavo West is very rich with a variety of attractions that tourists visiting Kenya can enjoy. These Tsavo West attractions include;
Wildlife.
It is the wildlife in Tsavo West that has thousands of tourists visiting the park year after year on Kenya safaris. Tsavo West National Park has over 70 species of animals, including the African Big five. Common sightings in Tsavo West National Park include elephants, leopards, lions, buffaloes, topi, kudu, zebras, olive baboons and so much more. Tsavo West is a perfect place to visit for true African wildlife experiences for the park inhabits abundant wildlife.
Birds.
Tsavo West is recorded to host over 400 bird species, with the highest concentration in Ngulia Hills. There are a variety of bird species recorded including but not limited to African finfoot, Basra reed warbler, River Warbler, Corncrake, Golden pipit, pied kingfisher, Taita falcon, Narina trogon and martial eagle.
Lake Jipe.
Lake Jipe is fresh water source to the various wildlife that inhabit Tsavo West. Lake Jipe is also home to a number of aquatic wildlife like crocodiles, hippos and a number of water birds like the African fin foot.
Mzima Springs: Mzima springs are a unique feature of the active volcanoes that has a number of travellers visiting to just have a glimpse of them. Mzima springs has over 50 gallons of crystal water oozing from underground, from the bottom of the lava rock.
Ngulla Sanctuary: Ngulla sanctuary is where rare rhinos in Tsavo West are found. Tourists visit to encounter these rhinos in their natural habit, thereby completing the African big five list.
Activities in Tsavo West National Park
With so much to offer to tourists, there are a number of activities that tourists visiting Tsavo West can do to enjoy the great attractions that the park has to offer. These include;
Game drives: Game drives in Tsavo West give tourists the true African safari experiences to enjoy wild game viewing. Game drives in Tsavo West give travellers an opportunity to spot the various wildlife species in the park, including the African big five. Game drives in Tsavo West take place throughout the day, with the early morning and evening game drives being the most rewarding. Night game drives can also be done in Tsavo West.
Birding: With over 400 bird species recorded in Tsavo West, birding safaris are sure to be very rewarding to those that take part in it. The National park is a migratory route for many migrant bird species, thereby increasing the number of birds one can spot while birding in the park. The best time to undertake birding in Tsavo West National Park is during the wet season when birds are breeding. Common sightings include Somali ostrich, taita fiscal, narina trogon and so many more.
Rhino Tracking
Encountering the big five cannot be complete without sighting the rhinos. Rhino tracking in Tsavo West National Park therefore gives travellers an opportunity to encounter the rhinos, more so on foot with the rhinos being barely feet away!
Visiting Mzima Spring
Visiting Mzima spring is another activity in Tsavo West that travellers can do. This gives travellers great views and thus perfect for sightseeing.
How to get to Tsavo West
The National park can be accessed by both air and road. By road, Tsavo West national Park is 240km away from Nairobi taking a bout 5-6 hours of road drive. The drive though long is quite scenic, taking travellers through small villages and towns. There are daily train departures from Nairobi to Mombasa which travellers can take to get to the park.
By air, there are domestic flights that travellers can book from Wilson airport, Mombasa or Jomo Kenyatta International airport to different airstrips within Tsavo West say Tsavo gate airstrip, Ziwani airstrip, and Kamboyo airstrip, among others.
Accommodation in Tsavo West National Park is various, and can cater for all travellers’ budgets. Be sure to have your tour operator book for you the best lodging option for your preferred budget range. The national park can be visited throughout the year, with the best time being in the dry season when game viewing is easy due to the not-so-overgrown vegetation.
The Park is a great Kenya national park to visit perfect for classical African safari experiences, as well as getaways from the noisy world. Get to experience the African wilderness rich in wildlife with a Kenya safari tour to Tsavo West.
