Tsavo-East is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest National Parks covering approximately 40% of the total area of all Kenya’s National Parks. It’s beautiful landscape and proximity to the coast make it a popular safari destination.
It is accredited as one of the world’s leading biodiversity strongholds, bushy grassland and open plains alternate with semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where the river banks give rise to lush vegetation. North of Galana is a true wilderness.
Tsavo-East is recommended for photographers with its fabulous light and unbelievable views, in particular the Mundanda Rock and the Yatta Plateau, the world’s largest lava flow. Lugard Falls on the Galana River are remarkable for the shaped water worn rocks. Game includes: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk and zebra and Hunter’s Hartebeest can be seen with its lyre-shaped horns. Home to some of the largest herds in Kenya, the elephants glow red after dust baths, blowing the vivid red dust through their trunks over their bodies.
Some 500 bird species have been recorded in the area, including ostrich and some migratory kestrels, while buzzards stop at Tsavo-East during their long flight south.
Country: Kenya
Park Size: 7,300 sq. miles – 11,747 sq. kilometers
Altitude: 500 – 4,000 ft. | 152 – 1,200 meters.
Ecosystems: Open savannah, acacia scrub, mopane woodlands
Wildlife: Elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk, zebra, hartebeest + 500 species of birds
When to go: Anytime except April
Highlights: Camel safaris, world’s largest lava flow, game drives