TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK

Tsavo East National Park covers an area of about 12,000 km2, 4 /o of Kenya's parks' total arc This vast park lies in low semi arid country at the eastern e e of the inland plateau, north of the main Mombasa-Nairobi road and railway. Much of the park is level, open country with scattered rocky rid s and outcrops. Due to its size, the park is one of the world's wildlife and biodiversity strongholds.

The Yatta plateau, a long, flat topped lava ridge, run along the western boundary of the park. Beneath it flows the Athi river which joins the Tsavo river, just above the Lugard falls, to become the Galana river, a permanent river that cuts right across the park. The seasonal Tiva an rivers are important features of the Northern and southern sectors respectively. There are scattered seasonal pools, swamps and dams, but relatively few sources of permanent water.

Location: Southeast Kenya, inland from Mombasa; Taita District of Coast Province.

Climate:
The weather in Tsavo is pleasant most of the year. There are two rain seasons. The long rains generally come in March - May and the short rains from October - December,

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
From Nairobi via Voi through the Voi gate or Manyani gate. Similarly, from Mombasa via Bachuma gate. From Malindi, via Sala gate.

Airstrips:
There are six airstrips in the southern part of the park and thirteen in the Northern part. There are no scheduled flights to the park but chartered light planes ca be used.

Park gates: Bachuma, Sala, Manyani.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS 1

* Large herds of elephants and other wildlife.

* Popular legend of Tsavo "The man-eaters of Tsavo".

* Yatta plateau - it is about 290 Km long and is one o the worlds longest lava flows.

* Lugards Falls on the Galana river - This is not a true falls but a series of rapids. Visitors can walk down to the river to view the rapids

* Mudanda rock - This is a long rock outcrop that is about 1.6 Km long. There is a dam at the base. Animals can be seen drinking. Visiters can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze s well as view wildlife at the base.

* Aruba Dam was built in 1952 across the Voi river r. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this darn.

* Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence - when the two rivers rivers join they form the Galana river.

FACILITIES

Lodges: Voi Safari Lodge.

Tented Camps: Sala; Westerveld; Galdessa Camp; Epiya Chapeyu ; Tsavo Safari; Mukwanju.

Campsites: Kanderi; Sobo; Roka; Ndololo; Aruba; Ithumba; Rhino Bend; Kyulu; Tundra; Mack; Mukwanju

ACTIVITIES

Game viewing; Walking Safaris along the Galana Bird watching

WILDLIFE

Reptiles: Crocodile, Python, Gecko, Lizard, Puff Aider.

Insects: Grasshopper, Butterfly, Beetle, Bee.

Major Animals:

Aardwolf; Ant Bear; Baboon, yellow; Bats (several); Buffalo; BushBaby; Bushbuck; Caracal; Cat, African Wild; Cheetah; Civet, African; Dik-dik, Kirk's; Dog, Hunting; Dormouse, African; Duiker, Blue; Duiker, Bush; Duiker, Red; Eland; Elephant, African; Fox, Bat-eared; Galago, Greater; Gazelle, Grant's; Genet, Large-spotted; Genet, Small-spotted; Gerenuk; Giraffe, Masai; Hare, African; Hare, Spring; Hartebeest, Coke's; Hartebeest, Hunter's; Hedgehog, East t African; Hyaena, Spotted; Hyaena, Striped; Hyrax, Rock; Hyrax, Tree; Impala; Jackal, Black-backed; Jackal, Side-striped; Klipspringer; Ku u, Lesser; Leopard; Lion; Mongoose, Banded; Mongoose, Dwarf; Mongoose, Large Grey; Mongoose, Marsh; Mongoose, Slender; Mongoose, Whit -tailed; Monkey, Black faced Vervet; Monkey, Sykes; Oryx, Fringe-eared; Otter, Clawless; Pangolin, Lesser Ground; Porcupine, Crested; Rat, Car •; Rat, Giant; Rat, Naked Mole; Ratel; Reedbuck, Bohor; Rhinoceros, Black; Serval; Shrew, Spectacled Elephant; Squirrel, Bush; Squirrel, East African Red; Squirrel, Striped Ground; Squirrel, Unstriped Ground; Steinbok; Suni; Warthog; Waterbuck. Back