Tsavo West National Park: An Overview
Location
Tsavo West National Park lies in Kenya’s Coast Province in the southwest of the country. It is divided from neighbouring Tsavo East National Park by the A109 Nairobi-Mombasa road and a railway line. The distance from Nairobi is approximately 168 miles by the A109.
Size
Tsavo West National Park covers around 3,000 square miles.
History
Dating back to the Stone Ages, Tsavo West National Park once enjoyed a thriving economy through the trade of ivory, cowry shells, animal skins and most likely slaves. In 1898 the construction of the Uganda Railway line took place, an event that led to what may be one of Tsavo West’s most famous tales. It is recorded that 28 men of African and Indian descent were stalked and killed by two maneless male lions, who were listed in history as the ‘Maneaters of Tsavo’. In 1963 the now called Kenya Wildlife Services took over management of the park, which remains one of Kenya’s most remarkable national parks to this day.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entry to Tsavo West National Park is USD52 per adult and USD35 per child.
Hours of Operation
The gates of Tsavo West National Park open at 6.30am and close at 7.00pm
By Road
Travelling from Nairobi, the drive takes between four and a half and five hours. The journey of 168 miles is along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway or A109. The drive takes five hours from Mombasa. Entry will be through any of the five gates: Tsavo gate, Mtito Andei gate, Chyulu gate, Ziwani gate and Maktau gate.
By Air
Guests of Tsavo West National Park can fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, the trip taking approximately one hour. There are various air strips visitors can land in, namely Tsavo gate airstrip, Ziwani airstrip, Kamboyo airstrip, Jipe airstrip, Kilaguni airstrip, Finch Hattons airstrip and Maktau airstrip.
Weather & Climate
The climate in Tsavo West National Park is mostly moderate in the dry, winter months from June to September, reaching a high of around 77F during the day, while summer days between December and early March can reach up to 90F. The short rains fall in November and December, with the longer rains prevailing in March and April.
Embarking on a safari in Tsavo West National Park can be enjoyed at any time of the year, the seasons presenting a variety of landscape features and wildlife wonders. For optimal game viewing, however, visiting in the winter months of June to August should be considered. The dry climate and short grass allows for easier animal spotting. Bird lovers will find Tsavo West National Park a bird watcher’s paradise when visiting in January and February.
Avoiding Crowds
Consider taking your Tsavo West National Park safari just before the busy winter season, June, offering mild temperatures and great game viewing without the crowds. September and October are wonderful times to be in Tsavo East, with fewer visitors around. Peak season travel is July and August, so planning to travel outside these months will see fewer safari vehicles on the Tsavo West plains.
Value for Money
Lodging ranges from comfortable tented camping to luxury lodges, all with access to the amazing wildlife that roam the diverse landscape of Tsavo West National Park. With a variety of accommodation options, easy access on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and proximity to Mombasa for a “beach & bush” combination, enjoying a safari at Tsavo West National Park definitely presents a value-for-money safari experience.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in Tsavo West National Park
Home to the “Big Five”, visitors have a fantastic chance of sighting predators such as lion and leopard, with buffalo, black rhino and elephant roaming the plains in search of food and shade. Plains game often seen on a safari include giraffe, zebra, gerenuk and the magnificent Kudu to name a few. A rich bird life is prevalent in the park with over 400 species of birds to be spotted, among them the Basra Reed Warbler, close to being on the endangered list.
The Terrain
The diverse landscape of Tsavo West National Park includes vast plains, swamp areas, rocky outcrops and volcanic craters. Its beautiful scenery creates the perfect backdrop for the variety of wildlife that traverse the land. Witness animals lazing near riverine or wandering through acacia woodlands.
Game Drives
Game drives in Tsavo West National Park are conducted in 4×4 safari vehicles, mostly closed with a pop-up roof, some more exclusive lodges and camps offering the safari experience in an open 4×4 vehicle. Guests usually head out before sunrise for a morning game drive and again in the late afternoon, stopping to capture an African sunset during your safari outing.
Guided Walking Safaris
Bush walks and nature hikes are possible within Tsavo West National Park, conducted under the guidance of qualified guides. Hike the hills of Chyulu and take in incredible views, or wander along