Tsavo East National Park, is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest national park in Kenya, the park is located in the southeastern part of Kenya near the Town of Voi in the Taita-Taveta District of Coast Province, bordering the Chyulus Hills National Park to the west and the Tsavo West National Park to the southwest. Tsavo East inland from the coast, it is 13,747 square kilometers, situated in a semi-arid area previously known as the Taru desert, it was opened in April 1948. The park is 230 kilometers southeast of Nairobi. The park is divided into east and west sections by the A109 road and a railway. Named for the Tsavo River, which flows west to east through the national parks, it borders the Chyulu Hills National Park and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. The park’s diverse landscape is characterized by the vast expanses of the open grasslands, scrublands, savanna, hills, Galana River that provides a lifeline for the park’s incredible variety of wildlife such as the elephnats, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and various bird species.
Attractions in Tsavo East National Park.
Animal species.
Tsavo East national Park is a best wildlife safari destination in Kenya, the animals in the park are incredibly diverse and abundant, making it one of the premier wildlife destinations in Africa. The park is a home of over 675 wildlife individuals with a huge number of lions, the park as well as has mammals and primates that includes the Big 5 mammals, other mammals in the park includes the elephants, leopards, cheetah, buffalos, black rhinos, impala, aardwolf, grevy’s and plain zebras, warthogs ,civet, giraffes, dik-dik, caracal, African wildcat, eland, African hunting dog tree hyrax, black-backed and side stripped and spotted hyena, lesser kudu, gazelles, small spotted genet, greater galago African hare, marsh mongoose, bush duiker, red duiker and many more. Primates in Tsavo east national park includes; yellow baboon, Skye’s monkey and many more, making Tsavo East a true haven for the animal lovers and a place where the beauty and wonder of the African wilderness can be experienced in all its glory.
Bird species.
The bird species in Tsavo East National Park are a true delight, with over bird species recorded within the park’s boundaries, making it a paradise for the birdwatchers and ornithologists. The park’s diverse landscape, which includes grasslands, savannahs, and woodlands supports an incredible variety of the bird golden-breasted starling, golden pipit and vulturine guinea fowl. The park is also the southernmost stronghold for the Somali ostrich. The park’s huge area is a significant wintering ground for migrant species from Europe and migrant birds are present from November to April. Bird species in Tsavo East national park includes African finfoot, Fischer’s starling, Martial eagle, Northern brownbul, Pangani long claw, Red-bellied parrot, Rufous chatter, secretary birds, kori bustards, Taita fiscal, Somali bunting and many more.
Kanderi swamp.
Kanderi swamp in Tsavo East National Park is one of the unique and fascinating ecosystem that provides a tranquil oasis in the park’s arid landscape, the swamp is located in the northeastern part of the park. Kanderi Swamp is a lush and verdant wetland that is fed by the Kanderi River and other seasonal water sources. The swamp is characterized by the diverse variety of vegetation including the papyrus, sedges, and aquatic plants which provide a habitat for a wide range of the wildlife like the hippos, crocodiles and various bird species. During the game drive on a safari in Tsavo East you can spot a variety of wildlife.
Mudanda rock.
Mudanda rock is a serene and scenic watercourse in Tsavo east National Park, this is a perfect attraction that embodies the park’s natural beauty. As the river meanders lazily through the rugged landscape, it creates a massive atmosphere while attraction various tourists to revel in its peaceful environment and witnessing the diverse wildfire that gathers along its banks.
Aruba dam.
Aruba dam is a picturesque and oasis that provides a lifeline for the park’s incredible variety of wildlife. The dam is located east of the Voi gate a water reservoir in Tsavo east national park built in 1952 along Voi River, the dam is one of the wonderful Kenya wildlife viewing spots in Tsavo national park, the dam attracts thousands of animals of the park most especially in the dry season, these animals crowd the dam so as to drink water, also some birds live around the dam, some of the animals that can be spotted includes the duikers, elephants, waterbucks, warthogs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, buffalos and many more.
Yatta plateau.
Yatta plateau is one of the famous attractions in Tsavo East national park and must visit feature while on a Kenya safari in the park, Yatta plateau is the world’s longest lava flow of 290 kilometers formed as a result of lava that formed the Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain during the eruption process. Yatta plateau runs along the western border of Tsavo East national park above Athi River. Yatta plateau is the longest lava flow in the world, the plateau was formed by lava from the Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain during its eruption process, the plateau is characterize by the plain wide valleys as well as shallow spaced alleys which were formed as a result of lava flows.
Galana River.
Galana River in Tsavo East National Park is a majestic and life-giving watercourse that flows gently thoroughly the center of the park, providing sustenance and nourishment to the incredible variety of wildlife that calls the park home, the river provide a haven for a wide range of animal species that is giraffes, massive elephnats, monkeys, antelopes and among many others. The Galana River is also a popular spot for visitors to explore, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, as well as the opportunity to see an incredible variety of the wildlife up close like hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species making it a truly unforgettable safari destination within Tsavo East National Park.
Lugard falls.
Lugard falls is a natural wonder in Tsavo East National Park, this is a mesmerizing attraction that offers the park raw power and beauty. As the Galana River plunges over a series of the rocky outcrops, it creates a spectacular attraction of the water. The Lugard falls were named after Lord Fredrick Lugard as he made his way through the region. The rapids were formed as a result of interruption of the river flow by sculpted channels and rocks. At the bottom of the falls, tourists can see wildlife species buffaloes and hippos as we as crocodiles in the pool formed at the bottom of the falls making Lugard falls a thrilling and unforgettable Kenya safari experience.
Activities to do in Tsavo East national park.
Wildlife drives.
Tsavo East national park offers unforgettable adventure, this is where the tourists enjoy the thrill of exploring the African wilderness, as you venture into the park’s vast expense of savannahs and grasslands, the expert guides from African Vacation Safaris lead you to witness the big five mammal such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and leopards, and others like giraffes, and among many others. And large schools of hippos and gigantic Nile crocodiles including other smaller species of mammals like dik-dik, bush baby and Klipspringers are supported by the park and offer one of the most spectacular wildlife viewings.
Bird watching.
Bird watching is one of the attractive safari activity in the Park, with over 500 bird species, Tsavo East national park offers a truly distinctive and unbelievable birding safari experience, as these include many of the dry-country specials easily spotted such as the Vulturine Guinea fowl, vibrant bee-eaters, rare ostriches, Ortolan Bunting, Bat-like Spinetail, Yellow throated Sandgrouse, Golden-breasted starling and many more, amidst a diverse landscape of grasslands, savannahs, and woodlands, making every moment a thrilling discovery and a treat for the eyes and ears.
Guided nature walks.
Guided nature walks in Tsavo East National Park is unique where the tourists become connected to nature and every step reveals a new wonder, the nature walks can be accompanied by the expert guides, then you experience park’s attractive wilderness, as you are discovering hidden treasures like the ancient baobab trees, vibrant wildflowers and wildlife.
Cultural tours.
Tsavo East national park is one of the best safari destinations where you can experience the gorgeous cultural tours, most of the national parks are bordered by the local Maasai people who have unique cultures which has been diluted with the current modernization, cultural tours in Tsavo are some of the activities and experience guests can enjoy as the guests enjoy their home settlement patterns which are gazetted and well fenced with local materials like thorns, as well as their dances, plays, songs and many more.
