Kenya is blessed to have a wealth of phenomenal and spectacular National Parks for visitors to enjoy unforgettable wildlife safaris. And, you will be blessed to visit one of the Parks in this blessed country, and you will enjoy everything about Tsavo West National Park.

History, Location, and Size of Tsavo West National Park

Set in the southeastern part of Kenya, within the Coast Province (Taita-Taveta County), Tsavo West National Park is part of the extensive Tsavo Conservation Area. Established in 1948, the Protected Area is also bordered by the spectacular Chyulu Hills National Park as well as Tanzania’s Mkomazi Game Reserve.

This 906500-hectare National Park’s landscape is marked by Volcanic Hills and rocky terrains, verdant riverine forests, swampy areas, Mzima springs, and the spectacular Lake Jipe. This Protected Area is separated from the adjoining Tsavo East National Park by the Nairobi-Mombasa road and railway. Thanks to its breathtaking scenery and the stunning Mzima Springs, this park is the most popular destination.

Top things to see in Tsavo West National Park

Wildlife

Tsavo West National Park is renowned for its impressive wildlife species, which make up the main attractions here. You will most likely see the zebras, Eastern black Rhinos, lesser kudu, African bush elephants, Grant’s gazelles, African wild dogs, Thomson’s gazelles, leopards, bushbabies, nocturnal porcupines, Masai giraffes, Cape buffaloes, dik-diks, Hartebeests, lesser kudu, lions, Hippos, crocodiles,

Birdlife

Beyond birds, Tsavo West National Park is home to a diverse array of birds, totaling 500 species. The Park’s and ivory palms, acacia–Commiphora bushland, riverine woodlands, grasslands, and baobabs provide a natural habitat for several extraordinary species that include African green-pigeon, white-bellied bustards, purple-crested Turacos, spur-winged goose, mourning collared dove, Harlequin quail, white-faced whistling-duck, yellow-billed stork, crested guinea fowl, Augur Buzzard, black-bellied bustards, African open bill, Shelley’s francolins, Black crake, Gray-crowned crane, Eurasian marsh-harrier, Hildebrandt’s francolins, dwarf bittern, slender-tailed nightjars, African goshawk, Eurasian nightjars, Vulturine guineafowl, long-tailed cormorant, knob-billed ducks, Malachite kingfishers, and others.

Tsavo West National Park also supports populations of Greater flamingos, red-billed hornbill, Black stork, red-fronted barbet, white-bellied go-away bird, emerald-spotted wood-dove, speckled mousebird, saddle-billed stork, black-headed heron, speckled pigeon, ring-necked dove, Abyssinian scimitar hill, red-billed ducks, Hadada ibis, African darter, yellow-throated sand grouse, blue-napped mousebird, chestnut-bellied sand grouse, woolly-necked storks, black kite, freckled nightjar, Blue quail, the black faced sand grouse, Kori bustard, Buff-crested bustard, and many others.

Landscape

Tsavo West National Park’s landscape is equally impressive, with photographers enjoying views of lush vegetation, volcanic hills, rocky outcrops, verdant forests, and Mzima Springs, among others.

Top Things to Do in Tsavo West National Park

Let Alba Wonders Africa experts guide you through the best adventures in this mesmerizing Safari destination. These include;

Game Drives

No visit to Tsavo West National Park can be complete without a game drive through the varying ecosystems, especially open savannahs and woodlands. There’s an option of driving through the Protected Area between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, to encounter lesser kudu, African bush elephants, African wild dogs, Eastern black Rhinos, Cape buffaloes, Grant’s gazelles, bushbabies, Masai giraffes, porcupines, Thomson’s gazelles, leopards, and zebras who roam freely through the Protected Area.

Birding

As if the abundance of wildlife isn’t enough of a reason to explore Tsavo West National Park, 500 different species of birds can be found in different natural habitats. This makes the Park a twitcher’s paradise and a perfect place to watch Augur Buzzard, African open bill, black-bellied bustards, and crested guinea fowl.

Also, make sure to keep your eyes directed at the sky and during game drives to tick the Harlequin quail, mourning collared dove, purple-crested Turacos, spur-winged goose, yellow-billed stork, and white-faced whistling-duck, among others, off your list.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris are a perfect way to uncover the best of Tsavo West National Park, with an opportunity to use all your senses to track animal footprints and sight plant and bird species in the company of armed Ranger guides.

Village/cultural tours around Tsavo West National Park

In an attempt to empower villages/communities around Tsavo West National Park, steps were taken to convert these places into incredible tourist hot spots. However, village tours allow visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultures and lifestyles of local Masai and Kamba communities. Here, you will visit traditional homesteads to learn about the people and their unique cultures, purchase their arts and crafts, which in the end empowers them to support their families.

When should you go to Tsavo West National Park?

Tsavo West National Park is phenomenal to visit any time of the year. However, the dry months, from June to September and December to February, offer the best game viewing experiences. During these months, the bush dries back and trees shed their leaves, hence making it easier to observe wildlife gathered around the shrinking waterholes.

Naturally, peak game viewing also implies peak tourist season, with the months of July and August being the busiest times of the year.

The wet months, typically from March to May and October to November, bring verdant vegetation as well as colder temperatures, hence creating a vibrant and lush landscape. Much as animals are more dispersed and more difficult to spot, these months also provide opportunities to witness dramatic landscapes as well as birding. These months coincide with the low season, hence fewer visitors, and provide more peaceful and intimate safari experiences.

The demerit of this season is that some roads and game tracks become impassable due to muddy and slippery conditions.

Where to stay during your Tsavo West National Park safari

Some of the accommodation options used by Tsavo West National Park include Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Voyager Ziwani Safari Camp, Soroi Lions Bluff Lodge, Ngulia Safari Lodge, Severin Safari Camp, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Rhino Valley Lodge, Satao Tented Camp, and many others.

Getting to Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park is located nearby 240 kilometers/about 5 hours’ drive from the City of Nairobi. The Park is accessed via Mtito Andei Gate (the main entry point), Tsavo Gate, and Lake Jipe Gate.

For visitors planning to fly into Tsavo West National Park, the best airstrips to use are Jipe Airstrip, Kilaguni Airstrip, Finch Hattons Airstrip, and Kamboyo Airstrip.