Attractions in Tsavo East and Tsavo West national park
Attractions in Tsavo East and Tsavo West national park consist Wildlife, Bird species, Lugard falls, Mudanda rock, Aruba dam, Shetani Lava flow, Lake Jipe, Mzima springs, Ngulia Rhino sanctuary and many more.
Tsavo East National Park Attractions
Wildlife
Being the largest park situated in a semi-arid area, Tsavo East national park has got a vast number of wild animals, larger mammals and herds of dust which consists of the famous Elephants known as red Elephants because they roll in the red volcanic soil found in the park, other members of the African big 5 such as Lions, Black Rhinos, Cape Buffaloes and Leopards, Senegal bush baby, Bush buck, African wildcat, Blue and Bush duiker, Masai Giraffe, East African Hedgehog, Spotted and Striped Hyena, Impala, all Mongoose species, Velvet monkeys, plain and Gravy Zebras, all Squirrel species and many others wild animals.
Bird Species
Tsavo East is abundantly blessed with prolific bird life that ranges between 500 and above which is a top birding destination and the following are the most spotted birds; The magnificent Golden-breasted starling, golden pipit, Vulturine guinea fowl, the southern Somali ostrich, Red-winged Lark, Rosy-patched bush shrike, Love bird, crowned crane as well as migrant bird species from Europe and so many others.
Galana River
This is the second longest river in Kenya and the northernmost marking point running through the heart of the park. This river rises in the Gatamaiyo Forest as the Athi River and enters the Indian Ocean as the Galana River hence Indian Ocean being its starting point.
Lugard Falls
These falls are formed as the Galana River passes through a volcanic rock creating rapids and falls as the water plunges into a large pool below and creates a strong forceful sound. This is an interesting geological eco system worth visiting. The falls were named after the first British Consul in East Africa Captain Lugard
Yatta Plateau
This is the world’s longest Lava flow formed from Ol Doinyo Sabuk Mountain which runs above the Athi River along the western boundary of the park. It is renowned for its huge expanse of the flat thorn bush which covers a dense bush land
Mudanda Rock
Mudanda rock is a 1.6km monadnock of stratified rock that acts as water catchment that supplies a natural dam which is an excellent spot that hosts a big number of Elephants and other wild animals especially during the dry season. While at this rock, Tourists get a perfect view of the park
Aruba Dam
Aruba dam is a man-made dam which staunches the waters of river Voi that flows from the Taita hills in the southwest. It is also a perfect wildlife sighting spot since it’s a source of water to animals.
Tsavo West National Park Attractions
Wildlife
Tsavo West national park is a home to over 70 animals including the African big 5 and mammals which include Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Kobs, Gazelles, Kudus, Zebras, and Rhinos, Wilde beests, Elands and many more wild animals.
Bird Species
Tsavo West national park hosts a vast number of different bird species where by some are migrant notable birds consisting Collared sand martin, European Bee-eater, White stork, Egyptian Vulture and many others. There are some common birds such as Eastern black-headed Oriole, Golden Palm weaver, Pied Kingfisher, Vulturine Guinea fowl and many others.
Lake Jipe
Lake Jipe is a small shallow lake found in the East of the northern Pare Mountain of Tanzania along the Kenya-Tanzania border in the village of Nghonji. The lake is fed by Lumi River. The lake is a home to endemic fish, hosts different water birds and large mammals.
Mzima springs
These are four natural springs which act as natural reservoirs under Chyulu hills in the north. This is one of the most popular attraction which hosts hippos and crocodiles and it was featured by a wildlife film makers known as Alan and Joan Roots in a nature documentary called Portrait of a spring which made it famous.
Shetani Lava Flow
Shetani means Devil in Kiswahili and the local people believed that it was the devil emerging from the earth in form of Lava flow which was formed a hundred years` ago. This lava flow is a vast expanse of black folded lava spread 50kms across the savannah near Chyulu hill and it is approximately 4km away from the west of the chyulu gate of Tsavo west national park on the road to Amboseli. Shetani Lava Flow is the reason as to why Tsavo West national park is referred to as the Land of Lava.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Ngulia Rhino sanctuary is a home to over 80 black rhinos. This was intended to help park rangers easily monitor these endangered rhinos aiming at combating poaching.
Lumo Community Wildlife Conservation
Lumo community wildlife conservation lies in Taita hills conservation which links Tsavo ecosystem to the shimba hills in the neighboring Kwale County. This place has exceptional Fauna and beautiful landscape full of Savannah and bushy areas which hosts a variety of wildlife.
Click here to see the Safari Guide to Tsavo National Park
