Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is a national park in Kenya with an area of 13,747 km². It was established in April 1948 and covers a semi-arid area previously known as the Taru Desert. Together with the Tsavo West National Park, it forms an area of about 22,000 square kilometers. The Tsavo River flows west to east through the national park, which is located in the Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province.

Tsavo East National Park is generally flat, with dry plains across which the Galana River flows. Other features include the Yatta Plateau and Lugard Falls. Inside Tsavo East National Park, the Athi and Tsavo Rivers converge to form the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. Most of the park consists of semi-arid grasslands and savanna.

Why visit Tsavo East national park?

Tsavo East National Park is considered one of the world’s biodiversity strongholds, providing undeveloped homes to vast numbers of animals.

Famous are the Tsavo lions, a population whose adult males often lack manes entirely. As of 2006, there were about 675 lions in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem.

Things to do in Tsavo East national park

Tsavo National Park has a diversity of attractions and activities which visitors can participate in. These attractions range from flora and Fauna to the other naturally built aspects in the park.

Game viewing

Nothing equates to a gaming experience at the Tsavo East National Park. For many years, the park has become a tourist destination for curious game lovers worldwide. It has a lot to offer regarding its game and wildlife.

It teems with animals such as the red-dust elephant, Hirola, leopard, rhino, lion, hippo, buffalo, crocodile, Gerenuks, waterbucks, Lesser Kudu, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, and hartebeests. The best time for wildlife watching is mornings and late afternoons since most animals tend to sleep through the hot midday sunshine.

Walking safaris

Tsavo East National Park is a popular safari destination for bush walks. With its vast savanna filled with wildlife, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the park’s natural beauty on foot. From leisurely strolls along the banks of the Galana River to more challenging hikes through the rugged terrain, bush walks in Tsavo East provide an unforgettable safari experience for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or an adventurous trek, there’s something for everyone in this stunning national park. A tour of the park takes about 2-4 hours and is a great option for those who want to experience some of the best wildlife in East Africa. Tsavo East National Park has numerous walking trails and points of interest, so it’s easy to create your own route as you go.

Bird watching

With over 500 bird species, Tsavo East National Park offers a truly distinctive and unbelievable birding experience. These include many of the dry-country specials easily spotted such as the Vulturine Guineafowl, Ortolan Bunting, Levant Sparrow, Savi’s Warbler, Bat-like Spinetail, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Golden-breasted Starling and the Golden Pipit. The park is also the Southern hotspot of the Somali Ostrich and migrant species from Europe. Other species include Black-headed Lapwing, red-winged lark, Rosy-patched Bush Shrike and the Eastern chanting Goshawk.

 Camel Riding Safaris

Tsavo East National Park is a home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Kenya. But if you really want to experience the wild side of Tsavo East National Park, you should consider taking a camel riding safari. On these safaris, you can explore the park while riding atop a majestic camel and take in all that nature has to offer. From viewing exotic wildlife up close to crossing rivers on your trusty steed, a camel riding safari in Tsavo East National Park is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years to come.

Visit the Mudanda Rock

Hanging over a natural dam close to the Manyani dam, this massive 1.5km long rocky outcrop attracts herds of elephants and other wildlife to drink water especially in the dry season. The inselberg acts as a water catchment, supplying the natural dam below it. The outcrop also gives a vantage point for the varied wildlife that freely roams the park and spectacular views of the park.

Visit the Yatta Plateau

This prehistoric lava flow located to the North of Galana River stretches about 300km and is considered one of the oldest lava flows in the world. Visitors can enjoy refreshing scenery accompanied by the history of its formation.

Visit the Aruba Dam

The dam was built in 1952 and acts as a water reservoir, attracting different wildlife species This offers another opportunity for visitors to come across these animals while engaging in other activities in the park. Buffalos, elephants, dik-dik among other animals are often spotted here.

Where to stay at Tsavo East national park?

Tsavo East National Park hotels are fairly priced. The park offers a variety of housing options for you. There are camps such as the Finch Hatton’s camp, Satao camp, Severin Safari Camp, and Ithumba camp.

Other good Tsavo East National Park lodges and camps include Kilanguni Serena camp, Lion’s Buff lodge, Nguuni Lodge, Severin Kitana Bandas, Tsavo Safari Camp, and Voi wildlife lodge. We also recommended the Man-eaters safari camp, Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge, and the Voi Ziwani and others.

The best time to visit Tsavo East national park

The best time to visit Tsavo East National Park is in January and March. This is the dry season in Kenya, and the lack of rainfall makes it easier to spot wildlife. In addition, the cooler temperatures make hiking and other outdoor activities more comfortable.

However, you should be aware that accommodations fill up quickly during this time of year. As a result, planning is essential for those who wish to visit the park during the dry season.

How to access Tsavo East National Park?

Traveling by road is the best way to get to Tsavo East if you are in Kenya for a few days. The road trip from Nairobi to Tsavo East can take about 7-hr while from Mombasa is about 4-hrs. We transfer our clients in comfortable safari vehicles.