Discover Kenya
Tsavo West National Park
The panoramic views, the stunning rock outcrops, the spectacular wild and bird life are what makes this park a standout safari destination
Tsavo West National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular wildlife parks located in the Province of the East African Republic, close to the Chyulu Hills. The park covers a total surface area of 9,065 square kilometers and is separated by the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa road from its sister park – Tsavo East National Park. Together, the two parks make up the massive Tsavo Conservation Area – Kenya’s largest conservation area. Operated by the Kenya Wildlife Reserve, Tsavo West is the most popular of the two sister parks, because of its magnificent tourist attractions such as diverse wildlife, gorgeous springs, stunning rocks, a variety of birds, and a breathtaking panorama.
Established in 1948, Tsavo West National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest parks, named after the Tsavo River which runs across the park and supports the park’s incredible ecosystem. Tsavo West is renowned as the “land of lava, man-eaters, springs, and thrilling sunsets; nonetheless, its popularity rose from harboring the man-eating lions that killed several people during the construction of the railway line and highway that pass through the park during colonial times. Deemed by its incredible scenery, Tsavo West mostly encompasses open savannah spread with rocky ridges, acacia woodland, riverine shrubbery, and scrublands. The park is home to the African Big Five including black rhinos, lions, cape buffaloes, African elephants, and leopards.
Tsavo West National Park also boasts a variety of cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, gerenuks, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, Lesser Kudus, waterbucks, bushbucks, gazelles, etc.The bird life in Tsavo West National Park is equally as pleasing and birders will be glad to spot bird species such as secretary birds, kori bustards, hornbills, and warblers to mention but a few. Travelers planning a Kenya safari to Tsavo West national park should expect to enjoy plenty of activities ranging from safari game drives to rock climbing to safari walks to bird watching, among others.
OUR TOP SAFARIS
HOW TO GET TO TSAVO WEST
Tsavo West National Park is located in southeast Kenya, 232 km/144 mi from Nairobi and 250 km/155 mi from Mombasa, and it takes around 4-6 hours to get there by road. Depending on your schedule, traveling to the reserve from Nairobi, Mombasa, or another park is a viable choice. Many visitors who travel from Nairobi stop at Lake Nakuru National Park for a brief wildlife drive and picnic lunch. The drive time from Lake Nakuru National Park to Tsavo West is around 8 hours.
However, there are regular flights from Nairobi to Tsavo West National Park. The Park’s several airstrips are also accessible for chartered flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), which lies 15 km/9 mi southeast of the Nairobi capital. Moi International Airport (MBA), Kenya’s second international airport, is located approximately 9km/6 mi west of Mombasa.
ATTRACTIONS IN TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Mzima Springs
The Mzima Springs is one of Tsavo West’s most iconic tourist attractions. The springs are a network of crystal-clear water lakes filtered by the volcanic rocks of the nearby Chyulu Hills. The lakes, which are shaded by gigantic fig and acacia trees, are teeming with a variety of fish, plenty of crocodiles, and vast pods of hippos. Mzima Springs are best explored on a guided safari walk, but keep a watch out for large animals, preferably early in the morning or before sunset. And while there, the underwater viewing chamber, which is accessible through a pier, can give exceptional Tsavo West National Park photo possibilities.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park is also another iconic attraction that brings hundreds of travelers on Kenya game viewing safaris to the park. The park boasts big mammals including rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and big cats such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Tsavo West National Park is also home to a range of zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, gazelles, wildebeests, antelopes, gerenuks, and lesser kudus, among many others. All these incredible wild animals can be spotted on game-viewing safaris in Tsavo West National Park.
Moreover, Tsavo West National Park also boasts a rich bird life with over 400 recorded bird species to entice avid birders. Among these include the notable white-headed buffalo weaver, with its distinctive bright red rump. The park is also home to at least eight hornbill species, and a range of migratory species that you can explore on a Kenya birding safari.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary was established to safeguard and conserve black rhinos in Tsavo West National Park. The sanctuary was established in 1986 as a guarded enclave within the park, to permit the reproduction and conservation of black rhinos, beginning with just nine animals. At 90 sq. km, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is currently home to about 120 rhinos. The Tsavo rhino population has risen dramatically over time, making it one of the most successful and beneficial conservation stories in recent years. On the other hand, the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) was constructed in 2008 as an unenclosed, highly protected free-roaming area encircling the sanctuary, with the introduction of 19 founder rhinos. Tsavo West National Park has all the “African big five” animals including rhinos in Ngulia sanctuary, where they can be seen.
Shetani Lava Flow
The Shetani Lava Flow is the largest of numerous lava flows in Tsavo West National Park. Located about 4km west of the park, the lava flow includes a series of lava caverns beneath the surface once known for capturing prey animals that had ventured inside in quest of water, pursued by predators. Shetani, which means “devil” in Kiswahili, developed just a few hundred years ago, and the locals believed it was the devil himself emerging from the dirt. There was even a set of plaques naming the bones on the cave floor at one point. This wide swath of folded black lava spans across the savannah near the Chylus Hills for 50 square kilometers, looking curiously as if Vesuvius dropped its safety blanket here. Nonetheless, the Shetani Lava Flow is called after the Shetani River.
The Poacher’s Lookout
The poacher’s lookout is a fascinating spot in Tsavo West National Park; it is a hill in the park’s center that provides a 360-degree view of the park. The viewpoint derives its name from the poachers who frequented it to analyze the park’s wildlife.
Lake Jipe
Lake Jipe is one of the many sites in Tsavo West National Park that should not be missed on your Kenya safari. Spanning across the borders of Kenya and Tanzania, the lake serves as a water supply for the numerous animals in Tsavo West National Park, as well as a home to a diverse range of aquatic wildlife like crocodiles, hippos, and an array of water birds.
TOP ACTIVITIES IN TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife Viewing
Tsavo West National Park is one of the most popular sites for Kenya wildlife safaris, offering spectacular wildlife viewing. Wildlife viewing in Tsavo West is offered in morning, afternoon, and evening game drives. These safari game drives are conducted in 4×4 open-roof safari vehicles and many species may be observed from the window of your car including lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, wild dogs, klipspringers, Oryx, gerenuk, black rhinos, mongoose, giraffe, black rhinos, antelopes, hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles, among others. Tsavo West offers year-round wildlife viewing, but the finest Kenya wildlife viewing safaris are during the dry season when a significant number of animals congregate around water holes to drink. Wildlife viewing safaris in Tsavo West also include rhino tracking at the park’s Ngulia Sanctuary and a visit to the picturesque Mzima springs.
Bird-watching
Tsavo West National park is one of the most significant birding places in Kenya and a birder’s paradise that everyone ought to explore on a Kenya bird-watching safari. The park is home to more than 400 recorded bird species that may be seen when bird watching. Its Ngulia Hills is located along one of the world’s busiest bird migratory paths, offering the most ecstatic bird sights between October and January. Bird species to expect on birding tours in Tsavo west include the African fin-foot, Pied kingfisher, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Vulturine Guinea fowl, Pangani Longclaw, Somali ostrich, Fischer’s Starling, Shelley’s Starling, Martial Eagle, Narina Trogon, Taita Falcon, Taita Fiscal, Golden pipit, Thrush Nightingale, Northern Brownbul, etc.
Kenya birding safaris in Tsavo West National Park are good all year, but the greatest bird-watching experiences are from October to November and November through April, when the migrating birds are present.
Walking Safaris
Walking safaris are one of the finest ways to experience Tsavo West’s magnificent scenery; the park is comprised of a picturesque environment with several attractions worth seeing, including the Shetani Lava flow, Lake Jipe, and Mzima springs, among others. Walking safaris in Tsavo West are done on foot under the supervision of an experienced armed safari guide to protect you from wild animals. Tourists stroll through the several designated trails and have the opportunity to see various species, including giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, lions, buffaloes, rhinos, hartebeests, lesser kudu, and bush babies, among others. During a Kenya walking safari in Tsavo West, you may also see a variety of colorful birds.
Visit the Mzima Springs
A visit to these magnificent springs is well worth the time; they attract a diverse range of animals, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, gazelles, giraffes, impalas, and zebras, in addition to a big number of monkeys and bird species. Nature pathways, an observation platform, and an underwater glass tank are all well-marked; however, a professional armed ranger is highly required for your visit to the springs.
Cultural Visit
While on Kenya wildlife safaris to Tsavo West National Park, spend time and enjoy a cultural visit to the Maasai communities. It’s incredible to see the Maasai people’s traditional dwellings and their distinct clothing codes, which is highly fulfilling. The Maasai are pastoralists who live in Kenya and Tanzania and are frequently visited on Kenya wildlife safaris. The Maasai cultural dance is the most gratifying since you can experience their distinct dance as they bounce up and down while narrating stories.
BEST TIME TO VISIT TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Although Tsavo West National Park is good for tourism all year, the best time to visit the park remains during the dry season from June to October and December to February. This is the best time for game viewing as wild animals congregate around the Tsavo River and other water sources in the park, making them easier to spot. Furthermore, the access roads to and through the park are dry and accessible during this time. The wet season from March to May and November is not recommended for Kenya safaris to Tsavo West since it makes game viewing difficult. However, the wet season comes with discounted rates on Kenya safaris and accommodation.
ACCOMMODATION IN TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Accommodation in Tsavo West National Park includes a wide range of safari lodges and camps that offer affordable and opulent safari accommodation to travelers on Kenya wildlife safaris to the park. Accommodation in Tsavo West ranges from budget to midrange to luxury accommodation facilities and some of these include;
Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Nestled within the Taita Wildlife Sanctuary at the foot of the Taita Hills, this lodge features 96 well-furnished en-suite rooms built in circular structures. Each of these rooms contains attractive interior décor elements, king-size beds, thick white towels, quality linen, a running shower, a flushing toilet, and a wash basin. The rooms also feature mosquito nets on the beds, a ceiling fan, and a safe. Famed for being the most photographed lodge in the park, the lodge overlooks several waterholes that attract the park’s animals thus offering impressive views.
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is located in Tsavo West National Park on a ridge in the shade of Mount Kilimanjaro. The stone lodge overlooks a teeming waterhole frequented by enormous herds of elephants, buffalo, and plains game regularly. The lodge consists of 56 guest rooms, including five suites spread over the traditional volcanic stone lodge and a series of beautiful cottages. All the cottages are extraordinarily providing views of the water hole or the Chyulu Hills. The rooms are elegantly decorated with natural stone walls and locally inspired furnishings and artwork. Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge’s rooms accommodate all groups of travelers including families, big groups, couples, and individuals with a wide range of amenities: these include private balconies, internet access, 24-hour room service, etc.
Man-eaters’ Camp
This lodge, located near the Tsavo River in Tsavo West National Park features 31 fully equipped en-suite tents with views of the Tsavo River. Among these tents, there are 8 family tents with balconies, lounge chairs, a separate bathroom, four poster mattresses, and mosquito nets. Guests with special requirements are also taken into account while they spend their stay in the camp’s wheelchair friendly tent. Man-eaters’ camp’s amenities include the Man-eaters lounge, the Tsavo River Restaurant, the Simba Mbili Bar, and the Rock Pool.
