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The Joint mass of Tsavo West and Tsavo
East National Parks forms one of the largest National parks in the
world and covers a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area. Tsavo East
the larger of the two, lies to the east of the Nairobi –Mombasa
road, equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa, and offers a vast and
untapped arena of arid bush which is washed by azure and emerald
meandering of Galana River. Guarded by the limitless lava reaches of
Yatta plateau and patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds in
Kenya.
This fine national park covers a huge
variety of landscapes, from swamps and natural springs to rocky
peaks, extinct volcanic cones and rolling plains. It’s easily the
more beautiful of the two parks, but wildlife can be hard to spot.
Birds are very common and there are large populations of elephants,
zebras, hippos and leopards. Lions are present, but they tend to
stay hidden.
The focus is Mzima Springs, the source of most of Mombasa’s fresh
water, where you can walk down to a large pool that is a favorite
haunt of hippos and crocodiles. There’s an underwater viewing
chamber which unfortunately just gives a view of thousands of
primeval-looking fish. Be careful-both hippos and crocs are
dangerous.
Chaimu crater and the Roaring rocks view point are other highlights,
just southeast of Kilaguni Serena Lodge, and can be climbed in about
15 minutes. The views from both are stunning, with falcons, eagles
and buzzards whirling over the plains. While there is little danger
walking these trails, be aware that the wildlife is out there.
Another attraction is the Ngulia Rhino Sactuary at the base of
Ngulia Hills, part of the Rhino Ark Programme. The 70km² area is
surrounded by a metre-high electric fence and provides a measure of
security for the park’s last 49 black rhinos. There are driving
tracks and waterholes within the enclosure and there’s a good chance
of seeing one of these elusive creaturs.
Some of the more unusual species include the naked mole rat and the
enigmatically named white-bellied go-away bird, which is often seen
perched in dead trees. Red-beaked hornbills and bateleur eagles are
also common. Look out for dung beetles rolling huge balls of
elephant dung along the tracks.
It’s possible to go rock-climbing at Tembo Peak and and the Ngulia
Hills, but you’ll need to arrange this with wardens. This area is
also fantastic for bird life and there’s a very reliable hippo pool
on the Mukui River.
Lake Jipe (Pronounced ji-pay), at the southwest end of the park, is
reached y a desperately dusty track from near Taveta. You can hire
boats here for hippo and crocodile spotting (US$5). Huge herds of
elephants come to the lake to drink and large flocks of migratory
birds stop here from February to May.
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Tsavo East National Park
Divided into 3 parts by the Tiva and Galana rivers, the
Tsavo East National Park is Kenya's largest National
Park covering an area of 11,700sq kms.
It is a hot, waterless dry region with an annual
rainfall of less than 51cm recorded, and has a large
diversity of landscapes from the gorges of Lugard falls
with its water carved rocks to the natural catchments at
Mwanda.
The park has dramatic sights of large mammals including
great herds of elephant, antelope, hippos, black rhino,
eland, lions and giraffe plus a host of birdlife. It is
an ideal place for exclusive camping, game circuits and
adventures and is the greatest of all Kenya's parks. The
middle section of the park has many rock and cave
paintings.
Fact File
Area : 11,700 sq km
Altitude: 200 to 1000 m [656 - 3280 ft]
Access from Nairobi / Mombasa: By Road : 270kms (
5 hours )
Location : In Eastern and Coast Province, South
East of Nairobi
Animals : Numerous - The Big Nine, and plenty
other herbivores and birds
Vegetation : Open savannah and light patches of
bush, cactus like euphorbia trees
Facilities : Few lodges and camp sites
Attractions : The Big Five, rock and cave
paintings |
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Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park was established in 1948 and is
bordered by Taita Hills to the east at the water
margins. It covers a total area of 9065sq kilometers and
hosts a wide variety of wildlife species from the 'Big
Five' (Lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant),
numerous other carnivores, gazelles to over 150 bird
species.
The park also has the Mzima springs, Shaitani Lava Flow
which consists of caves, three craters, basalt flows and
lava splashes. Bordering Tanzania to the south east with
areas of unending succession of fantastic views across
the plains dotted with fin graphite, marble and sulphite
deposit.
Fact File
Area : 9065 sq km
Altitude: 200 to 1000 m [656 - 3280 ft]
Access from Nairobi/ Mombasa: By Road : 275kms (5
hours )
Location : In Eastern and Coast Province, South
East of Nairobi.
Animals : Numerous - The Big Nine, and plenty
other herbivores and birds.
Vegetation : Open savannah and light patches of
bush, cactuslike euphorbia trees.
Facilities : Lodges and camp sites are available
Attractions : Mzima springs, Big Five, Rhino
sanctuary. |
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