Tsavo East National Park: An Overview
Location
Tsavo East National Park is located in Kenya’s South East, near the coast. It is approximately 110 miles from the town of Voi and approximately 260 miles from the capital city, Nairobi, and is known as the largest National Park in Kenya. Tsavo East lies in the Taru Desert and borders the Chyulu Hills National Park in Kenya, east of the southern Kenya Rift Valley.
Size
The park covers an area of around, 5300 square miles.
History
Although traversed by traders in the mid-600s, in 1949 the Tsavo East National Park was officially gazetted, when the A109 was built, dividing the Tsavo National Park into Tsavo East and Tsavo West. Along with Tsavo West, the park is known as one of the largest parks in Kenya. The park is named after the Tsavo River, which flows from West to East through the park.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entrance fees to Tsavo East cost approximately USD$60 per person per day for those visiting for a day and for those guests staying at one of the camps or lodges in the park.
Hours of Operation
The Tsavo East National Park is open from 6am to 6pm.
By Road
Travel from Nairobi by Safari Jeep or scheduled transfer is a 230-mile drive and will take approximately six hours. The route will take guests south-east along the Uhuru Highway and eventually merge with the A104/Mombasa Road. The drive from Mombasa is 125 miles and will take approximately three hours.
By Air
Flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Tsavo East National Park will take 60 minutes and 30 minutes from Mombasa. Guests can fly into Voi Airport and take a three-hour transfer or fly into the Kilaguni or Finch Hattons Airstips in Tsavo West, and do a road transfer to their respective lodge or camp in Tsavo East National Park.
By Train
This is a unique way to travel from either Nairobi or Mombasa. The journey on the Madaraka Express will take approximately two hours and forty-five minutes from Nairobi and one and a half hours from Mombasa. The train will pull into the Vol Terminal, where representatives from various lodges and camps will meet guests to transfer them to their accommodation.
Weather & Climate
The winter is the best time to embark on a safari in Tsavo East, as the air is dry, temperatures cooler and low vegetation make it ideal to view animals. June, July and August make up the winter months and while evenings and early mornings can be chilly, the days are usually mild.
Avoiding Crowds
Peak season draws safari-goers from all over the world. This can mean many vehicles out on game drives and possibly several vehicles around a key sighting. Travelling in the “green” season or low season not only means less vehicles in the parks and reserves, but they also bring with them incredible wildlife events and experiences, such as birthing season or the great migration.
Value for Money
Travelling outside of High or Peak Season will ensure you still get a qualified safari, at a lower price. Qualified guides know the tracks and trails of the parks and reserves well and will be able to show guests where the wildlife will be gathering at that time of year.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Tsavo East
Tsavo East National Park is famous for its “Red Elephants” due to the colour of the soil in the park. Other animals often spotted in the park are the Dik-Dik, the Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk and Porcupine. There have been over 500 species of bird recorded in Tsavo East National Park.
The Terrain
The terrain of Tsavo East National Park is mostly flat, with savanna and grasslands covering the land. You can find acacia trees and some rocky areas scattered around. The Yatta Plateau and the Lugard Falls are key features of the park. The Aruba Dam is a wonderful place to spot an abundance of wildlife.
Game Drives
This is the most popular way to experience wildlife in the Tsavo East National Park is by either early morning, full day or late afternoon game drives. These can be conducted in an open-vehicle which is provided by specific lodges or in an enclosed 4×4 vehicle with large windows for optimal viewing.
Guided Walking Safaris
There is an option in the Tsavo East National Park to do a guided walking safari. This will mostly take place along the Galana River, conducted by a qualified safari guide.
Excursions to Local Villages
Visit local villages and support local communities through local product purchase and donations. Visit Voi Town and interact with locals during your visit.
Visits to Aruba Dam, Lugard Falls or Mubanda Rock
Enjoy an outing to beautiful sites and locations such as the Aruba Dam, situated on the Voi River or the Lugard Falls, formed where the Galana River splashes into a sparkling pool below. Walk up the Mubanda Rock to capture outstanding views across Tsavo East.