Tsavo East National Park
Size: ca. 11,747 square kilometres
Founded: 1948
Distance from Nairobi: ca. 232 kilometres (Mtito Andei Gate), 325 kilometres (Voi Gate)
Distance from Mombasa: ca. 250 kilometres (Mtito Andei Gate), 175 kilometres (Voi Gate)
Highlights:
The Tsavo East National Park at nearly 12,000 square kilometres is the largest national park in Kenya. Large impressive elephant herds walk slowly through the bushy grasslands. The other members of the Big Five – rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards – are also to be discovered in this park. Tsavo East National Park invites you to explore the dry grasslands and the green river banks on the search for waterbucks, kudus, gerenuks, zebras, crocodiles, the rare Hunter antelope and over 600 bird species. The park lies not far from Mombasa and a safari tour can easily be combined with a beach holiday on Kenya’s fantastic coast.
Description:
The Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park are staples of many safaris in Kenya. They cover an area of over 21,000 square kilometres. The protected area was divided into two parks, separated by the road and railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi.
The Tsavo East National Park is the largest national park in Kenya and with an area of 11,747 square kilometres it makes up 40% of the total area of Kenya’s national parks. The park is known for its large “red” elephant herds. The animals get their red colouring from the striking red earth in the area, which they rub as dust or mud on their thick skin. This iron oxide-rich laterite soil protects the elephants from intense sun exposure, parasites and contributes to their general skin care.
The vegetation consists out of flat grasslands and acacia trees, some of which create dense dry forests. In the north, the park turns into a semi-desert, creating a beautiful contrast to the gallery forests found on the banks of the Galana River, Tiva River and Voi River to the south. Particularly in the dry season, these rivers and numerous waterholes attract many wild animals from the region. Here you will have the chance to observe several animals at one location.
A visit to Tsavo National Park is worthwhile any time of the year. Not only will you find Kenya’s largest elephant herds here, but also the Big Five. Apart from rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards, there are also cheetahs. In the rivers, crocodiles and hippos lurk, while 600 bird species, many of which are waterfowls, decorate the trees, grasslands and sky above.
Due to its proximity to Mombasa, you can easily combine a safari in the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park with a relaxing beach holiday on Kenya’s coast.