Tsavo East National Park

The sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa.

A Leopard at the Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park | Background Info

Tsavo East Nationa Park forms part of the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.

Tsavo East covers more than 13,700 km², making it nine times larger than the Maasai Mara. It has lovely scenery and its attractions include the Mudanda Rock and Yatta Plateau, the world's largest example of lava flow. The park is probably best known for its enormous herds of red elephants that dust themselves with the red-oxide soil so typical of Tsavo. Other species to be on the lookout for are the endemic desert warthog, hirola (also known as Hunter's hartebeest) and Peter's Gazelle.

Apart from its teeming elephant population, another main attraction at Tsavo East is its sheer vastness. Even less developed than Tsavo West, the eastern sector feels far more remote and wild. Sometimes, it's possible to go on game drives all day without encountering another vehicle. Tsavo National Park makes a great addition onto any Kenyan safari itinerary.

Experience Tsavo East National Park

Wildlife Haven

Tsavo national park hosts a recorded number of 675 wildlife individuals with a huge population of lions which the park is famous for. Wildlife species found in Tsavo East national park include mammals and primates.

Mammals found in Tsavo East national park include elephants, leopards, cheetah, buffalos, black rhinos, gazelle, impala, aardwolf, Grevy’s and plain’s zebra, warthog, waterbucks, warthogs, civet, dik-dik, caracal, African wildcat, African hunting dog, duikers that is, eland, African dormouse, stripped and spotted hyena, tree hyrax, black-backed and side stripped jackal, lesser kadu, gazelles, small spotted genet, greater galago, bat-eared fox, African hare, species of mongoose such as banded mongoose, dwarf mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, marsh mongoose, slender mongoose and white-tailed mongooseand species of duikers such as bush duiker, red duiker and blue duiker among others.

Primates found in Tsavo East national park include Skye’s monkey and yellow baboon

Excellent Birding

If you are looking for a great bird habitat in Kenya, Tsavo East national park shouldn’t miss on top of your list, this park is recognized among the best destinations of Kenya birding safaris boosting over 500 bird species. Birds recorded to be living in Tsavo East national park include ostriches, kestrels, buzzards, starlings, weaver birds, kingfisher, hornbills, secretary birds, herons, eastern chanting- goshawk, eurocephalus, female eastern paradise, golden pipit, martial eagle, Rufous chatterer, slender-tailed nightjar, Somali bee-eater, Shelley’s starling, African finfoot, lesser kestrel and many more. These birds include resident bird species and migrant species, migrant species come from Europe and northern countries of Africa and they arrive in Tsavo East national park in the period of November to April.

Kenya's oldest and largest national park, Tsavo East's rugged volcanic landscape, is a haven for Kenya's northern and southern species. It is located halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa and is ideal for those who wish to combine their Safari with a beach Holiday.

Topography

Tsavo East National Park terrain varies between open plains, semi arid acacia scrub and woodlands. The most scenic section is along the Galana River which flows throughout the year and provides a corridor of lush greenery among a frequently harsh and arid landscape. At Lugard Falls the entire river disappears into a rocky grove so narrow that it is possible to stand astride the cleft with the Falls immediately below.

Tsavo is not a reserve to come and tick off large numbers of big game. Rather, it is about relaxing and enjoying the animals and birds in a true wilderness. Elephants in big herds are possibly the main attraction of the park with many converging on the rivers and waterholes to drink in the dry season. Many of these elephants are "red", and this unusual colour is created by taking dust baths in the brick-red earth. Lions are not uncommon and it is also a good park to see lesser kudu as well as buffalo, common waterbuck, eland, gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx, impala and Maasai giraffe.