Tsavo West National Park Attractions and Wildlife

The north-eastern boundary along the highway adjoins Tsavo East National Park, but Tsavo West national park has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbour.

Tsavo West National Park covers approximately 30 per cent of Kenya’s park area, and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and a mountainous scenic landscape.

The park is a vast expanse of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei, along the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border.

The Lions of Tsavo West national park Kenya

The park’s habitats include open plains alternating with nsavannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.

There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the park, towards the Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volcano.

In the far south-western corneron the Kenya Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which isin the park. This very attractive lake is fed by runoff from Mount Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.

Chyulu hills

At Mzima Springs, in the Northof the park, water that has filtered underground from theChyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series ofclear pools

Visitors have an opportunity to view animals under water througha glass house, man eaters – caves where 2 lions were shot in Tsavo West by Col. Patterson, railway bridge forms boundary.

Contact details

PO Box 71, Mtito Andei Tel: +254 (0)56 22120, 22483 www.kws.go.ke

Contact person

Senior Warden

Leopard in Tsavo West National Park

Location

South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombasa

Distance from Nairobi

232 km

Size

9065 square km

Park fees

Go to www.kws.go.ke or contacttour operator.

Climatic conditions

Temperature ranges from 20-30°C and rainfall between 200 and700mm. Two rain seasons: long rains in March and April and shortrains – November and December.

Major attractions

lesser kudus in tsavo west national park

Recent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential forgeological and cave  exploration, and hiking. Mzima Springsand underwater hippo and fish watching, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary,Lake Jipe, Mount Kilimanjaro, elephant, diverse bird and plant species.

Wildlife

Leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe,zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile, mongoose, hyrax, dik-dik,lesser kudu and porcupine. Prolific birdlife features 600recorded species.

Access

Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi

Roads: The main access routesare through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi (240 km) and Mombasa. Visitors from Mombasaalso use Tsavo Gate near Manyani.

The park can also be reached via the Taveta-Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani and Jipe gates. Air: Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau, Finch Hattons, Ziwani and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.

Accommodation

Lodges: Ngulia Lodge, Kilaguni Serena Lodge, Severin Safari Camp/Lodge, Finch Hattons KWS self-catering accommodation: Kamboyo Guest House

Best time to visit

All year round

Activities

Boat excursion at Lake Jipe; bird watching at Lake Jipe;annual bird ringing at Ngulia lodge; hill and rock climbing at Chaimu and Ngulia Hills; caving at Shetani Caves.

Other Related Pages

Tsavo West National Park animals watering hole

List of Safari Lodges and Hotels in Tsavo West Park Kenya