Explore Tsavo East National Park

Why Visit Tsavo East National Parks?

Tsavo East National Park is the largest national park in Kenya measuring approximately 13,747 sq. Km. Located in Taita-Taveta County, the park has historical  significance as it’s the oldest park in the country having been formed inApril 1948 together with its counterpart Tsavo West national park. 

 

Tsavo East national park is drained by two key Rivers, Tsavo River and Athi river, which later join to form the famous Galana River. 

 

It was named after the Tsavo River that crosses the park from West to East.

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Wildlife and Attractions

A number of things make this park special, namely: 

The Big Five

  • All african big five (lions, leopards, Elephant, Buffalo and rhinos- both White and black rhinos) can be found here. 

 

  • A distinct attraction is the sight of large herds of dust-red elephants wallowing through the park and rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River. 

 

  • Other species that can be seen are crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, Lesser Kudu, Wildebeests, Gerenuk, Zebras, Giraffes and a prolific bird life featuring over 500 bird species recorded across the park. 

 

  • For this reason, the park is considered as one of the biodiversity strongholds not only in Kenya but across the globe. 

The Yatta Plateau

  • It’s  home to the Plateau famous for being the world’s longest lava flow plateau ,yatta plateau, covering a distance of approximately 300 kilometers. The Yatta Plateau was formed by the hot running lava from the Ol Doinyo Sabuk mountain, and continues to be  a key tourist attraction in Tsavo East national park.

The mudanda rock

  • The mudanda rock  (the inselbergs of mudanda) stretching 1.6 Kilometers serve as a great water catchment area supplying the lower dam with water. During dry seasons animals come here to drink water thus serving as a great game viewing vantage point.

Lugard Falls and Aruba Dam

  • The Lugard falls and Aruba Dam are also attractions found in the park. The Lugard falls was named after the first European explorer ,Frederick Lugard, who was the first European to set foot on these waterfalls. It is located along the Galana river and is a great addition to the marvel of the Tsavo East National Park. The Aruba Dam which was constructed in 1952 is an important feature in this park as it serves as a water reservoir for wildlife during the dry seasons. 

Activities

  • Game Drives: Tsavo East is renowned for its large herds of elephants, often seen bathing in the Galana River or covered in red dust. You can also spot lions, rhinos, hippos, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. 
  • Bird Watching: With over 500 bird species, Tsavo East is a haven for bird enthusiasts. 
  • Walking Safaris: Some lodges offer guided walking safaris, allowing for a closer encounter with the park’s ecosystem.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Tsavo East National Park is during the dry season, specifically June to October and January to February. The sparse vegetation makes it easier to spot animals, and they tend to congregate around remaining water sources, making for excellent game viewing.