Tsavo West National Park - Ancient land of lions and lava
World famous Tsavo West National Park, with it's Tsavo East neighbour, combine to form one of the largest national parks in the world. Beckoning are the ancient lands of lava and lions, resembling a masterpiece painted on a sprawling canvas of endless skies, emerald hills and palm-fringed rivers. Amidst abundant wildlife, sparkling oases blend with the unforgettable sunrise or sunset backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro, "the roof-top of Africa". Exhale, unwind and allow Tsavo West to cast it's everlasting spell!
Vast vistas and volcanic views
The immense Tsavo West stretches from the northeastern Athi river to the southwestern Tanzania border. With rocky outcrops in it's northern parts, most of the park is a vast tangled bushland savannah, laced with volcanic ridges and lava beds.
With it's sweeping hills reaching 1,800 metres high, the Ngulia range offers dramatic vistas, while Chyulu Hills , adjuscent to Tsavo West, feed the remarkable Mzima Springs where thousands of gallons of crystal-clear freshwater gushes into palm fringed pools, filled with hippos and crocodiles.
Ancient and recent volcanic activity is evident within and around the park. Visit Shetani or Devils Lava Flow foremed a few hundred years ago when a fiery molten fury spewed from the earth! Or climb to Chaimu Crater - in a mere 10 minutes. And stop by the eerie "Roaring Rocks" , named after the buzz of the cicadas that inhabit them and the howl of the wind as it rushes past the sheer face of the scarp.
From the Park's many panoramic vantage points, absorb the vast vistas as you monitor the movement of the wildlife herds below. The finest of Poachers Lookout, a roofed hut high on a hill with views to eternity.
Wondrous wildlife
The world's most magnifient game viewing awaits you! Vast herds of dust-red elephant, fat pods of hippo, giant crocodiles, teeming herds of savannah dwellers plus a fantasia of birds and magical flora flourish here. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary protects Tsavo's growing population of endangered black rhino, successfully inching their way back from the brink of extinction caused by rampant poaching in the 1960's. Beautiful Lake Jipe, straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, offers memorable experiences of abundant aqautic and bird life viewing - from a hired boat!
Mzima Springs Magic
The lush, hippo inhabited pools of Mzima Springs are a verdant cooling oasis. An underwater hippo-viewing chamber, two nature trails and some scenic picnic spots provide a refreshing and rewarding adventure. And a romantic spot too!
Wildlife galore
Kenya's largets national park supports ALL the "Big Five"! Home to the country's larget herd of elephant population, your exciting safari is sure to include buffallo, lion, leopard and rhino too. Plus at Mzima Springs, abundant Nile crocodile and hippo. Herds of giraffe, gerenuk, oryx, zebra and impala range through bush and plains, as do hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, water buck, Steinbuck, Kirk's Dik Dik and kingspringer. Don't miss yellow baboons and vervet monkeys as they cavort noisly around acacia trees.
Birds
Prolific bird life - featuring over 600 recorded species - are a true highlight. Birds of the semi-arid zone, such as somali ostrich and golden pipit, slip by the the more conspicuous white-headed buffalo weaver and it;'s vivid coral rump displayed in flight, or the brilliantly plumaged golden-breasted starling. Raucous hornbill, with their lilting flight, are also prevalent in the park as are hole-nested birds, such as orange-bellied parrot, and D'Arnands's barbet that favour the thick-trunked baobab tress.
Roaring Rocks is an excellent spot for raptors: eagles cruise by at eye level and Bateleur comb the rocky scarp for unsuspecting prey. The Ngulia area, due in part to it's geography, forms a focus for innumberable Eurasian and Palaeartic migrating birds. A palaeartic migrartory bird-banding (bird-ringing) project is at Ngulia Lodge.
Plants.
Ranging from woodland to semi-desert, Tsavo West covers a diverse array of habitats. For the most part. the area is hot and dry, with acacia-commiphora scrub broken by short grassy plains flecked with thorn trees. Wild flowers appear with the short rains and the ground can be quickly carpeted with delicate thnubergia, ipomoea and barleria. Watch for the blazing fire-balllily and the delonix, a sparsely branched tree with exquisite white blooms, pollinated by nocturnal bats. Rivers are fringed with acacias as magnificient baobabs rise leafless above the shimmering heat.
Around and about Tsavo West
Nearby excursions can include visits to the massive expanses of sister park Tsavo East, the verdant Taita Hills or volcanic remnants of the Chyulu Hills. Within easy reach is world-renowned Amboseli National Park, remembered daily by the glorious backdrop views of majestic Kilimanjaro.
Where to stay
Luxury Lodges and tented camps, hotels as well as self-catering accommodation is available including:- Kilaguni Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge, Finch Hutton's Tented Camp, Kitani Safari Lodge and Voyager Safari Camp
Self catering accommodation
Kamboyo Guest House located 8 km from the park HQ at the Mtito Andei gate. It comprises 3 double bedrooms, 1 single, 2 bathrooms and WC's. Bedding, nets and limited kitchen equipment is provided.
Ngulia Safari Camp offers 6 self-catering cottages or "bandas", each with a double bedroom (2 single beds with bedding and nets), bathroom and WC plus a fully equiped kitchen and outdoor dining area.
Kitani Safari Camp offers 8 stine cottages, each with a double bedroom (2 single beds with bedding's and net), hot water, bathroom and WC plus an equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area. An outdoor BBQ restaurant and bar, generator and a s basic food and beverages shop, as well as access to meals (delivery too) from the nearby sister Kitani Safari Lodge round out this site.
Lake Jipe Banda's. On the lakeshore, three cottages or "bandas" are available. each with 2 single beds with nets, water, outdoor cooking area and kerosine lamps. A detached building offers showers and toilets for all visitors.
Camping. There are 3 public campsites (water and latrine only) as follows:-
Kamboyo Campsite (8 kms from Mtito Andei gate), Chyulu Campsite (1 km from Chyulu gate) and Lake Jipe Campsite (on the lakeshore). A wide selection of "special" (private) campsites are available.
Guide services. To explore the park on foot, the service of a KWS ranger is required due to the potentially dangerous wildlife. As a naturalist and park expert, KWS ranger may be booked in advance through the warden.
What to take with you.
Drinking water, picnic and camping equipment (if you camp overnight) , binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, anti-malarial prophylactics, walking boots and field guides.
How to get there.
By road: Mtito Andei gate is 240 kms south of Nairobi and 249 kms north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi - Mombasa highway.
Roads: The roads are well graded and efficiently maintained
Gates: Chyulu, Mtito Andei (Kamboyo HQ) , Tsavo, Jipe, Ziwani and Maktau
By air: Air strips are at Kilaguni, Finch Hattons and Lake Jipe.
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