Tsavo West National Park : Tsavo National Park is an iconic safari destination and largest National Park in Kenya; they are divided into two Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Park which is 267 kilometers from Nairobi to the Taita-Taveta county on the Kenyan coast. More so, Tsavo West alone covers an area of 7,065 Square kilometers and managed by Kenya Wildlife Service. The park is popularly known because of its magical game viewing in the world and being home to the famous Big five ‘’Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinoceros and Buffaloes’’, other animals’ species which call Tsavo West National Park their home including; Hartebeest, Kudus, giraffes, Hippopotamus, impala, bushbuck, Genet, Oryx, Zebras, Warthogs, Hyraxes, Gazelles, Dik-Dik, Duikers, Elands, Baboons, Spotted hyenas, Caracals, Klipspringer antelope, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Porcupine among others.
Tsavo National Park is one of the best tourist destinations in Kenya, because of its highest population of wildlife species and easy accessibility of both road and airstrip within the park. The national park combined East and West lying across several Eastern and coastal counties of Taita- Taveta county, Tana River County, Kitui County and Makueni County.
Here is the highlight of attractions of Tsavo West National Park include;
Mzima Springs
The Mzima Springs is one of the wildlife attractions in the park, Mzima is home to huge number of hippos and crocodiles. The hippos submerge themselves in the waters during the day to escape the hot sun and graze in the savannah to cool up during the night. Fruiting trees species around the Mzima Springs like Date, Water berries and fig free offer source of food to Vervet monkeys and other birds in the park.
These springs are a source of four natural Springs lied in the west side of the Tsavo National Park estimating 48 kilometers from Mtito Andei. More fact, the source of the spring is believed to be a natural reservoir under Chyulu Hills to the North Chyulu Hill that holds volcanic lava rocks which are too hard for water to flow through, it is believed that the rain water can flow through the rocks for over 25years under the rocks below running for 50 kilometers and emerge at Mzima Springs. This natural filtration offers the clear Mzima spring which flows through a series of pools and rapids. Then, two kilometers downstream the spring is solidified by lava flows and the spring disappear below the surface and resurfaces again.
Shetani lava flow
The Shetani is a Swahili word which means the Devil.
Historically, the locals spotted fire flowing on the surface of the land, something which the local to believe that was the devil himself emerging from the ground.
This Shetani lava flow lies 4 kilometers to the west of Tsavo West National Park and on the road to Amboseli. They are believed to have been formed over 500 years ago. Then, black Shetani lava stretches 8 kilometers wide and 1.6 kilometers width and 6 meters deep as a result of volcanic eruptions.
The last eruption around this place occurred about 200 years ago. The Shetani lava can be reached through the Amboseli -Tsavo Road. They are also fascinating features formed as a result of the volcanic like Caves which are believed that be inhabited with predators like Hyenas.
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
This is privately perfect owned sanctuary in Taita- Taveta county adjacent to the Tsavo West National Park and Lumo Conservancy. The sanctuary is home to variety of wildlife species which can combined in Tsavo National Park’s wildlife. This contributes largely to the government through revenue collected from Tourism.
It is home to animals’ species such as Cape buffaloes, Lion, Leopard, African Bush Elephants, Dik -Dik, Kudu, Impalas, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Zebras, Hyenas, Hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle many other animals including virous bird species.
Historically, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1971 by the Hilton International, located in Taita Taveta county and estimates 220 kilometers from Mombasa and covers 368 kilometers south of Nairobi. The sanctuary covers 28,000 acres ‘’110square kilometers’’.
LUMO Conservancy
Lumo community Wildlife conservancy is a community owned conservancy lied near Mwatate in Taita Tavete county. It is found in the Tsavo Conservation Area and it is home to the famous Man- eaters of Tsavo. It also acts as a transit corridor of wildlife between the Tsavo Conservation Area in Kenya to the Mkomazi Game Reserve Tanzania.
Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy was created in 2001 and got formalized in 2009 through the signing of a Trust Deed between the primary land holding of Mramba, Oza and Lualenyi. The Taita Community has for a long time had a good co-existence with wildlife ensuring its protection.
The three community ranches have played a great role to the wildlife and tourism as follows; Lualenyi ranch contributed 28,000 acre, Mramba ranch contributed 10,000 acres and Oza ranch contributed 10,000 acres forming 48,000 acres, forming LUMO Community Wildlife Conservancy. The conservancy is home to variety of wildlife such as Elephants, Lion, Leopards, Cheetah, Buffaloes, Elands, Hyena, Hartebeest, Wild dogs and Wildebeest among others.
Roaring rocks of Tsavo West National Park
The Roaring rocks are located near the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, which is a sanctuary for the black rhinos. From its top, one can be able to have the panoramic views of the Tsavo West National Park. It is the best place to see lions and it’s the reason why it was named roaring rock.
It is also believed that the roaring rocks got its name from the strong winds that hit the rock with a roaring sound.
Chaimu crater
Chaimu crater is also referred to as Devil crater in Kamba community, the indigenous community around the Tsavo Conservation Area. It is a tall raising hill covered by the bright black colour of the lava stones. Climbing this hill leads you to the top of the hill which offers great view below.
Five Sister Hills
These hills offer beautiful coned shaped and resembling one another thus offering a stunning scenery. The hills are close to one another and so identical that it looks like a reflection of the other thus making up the beautiful landscape of Tsavo West National Park.
Game Viewing
Tsavo National Park offers a perfect game viewing with thick vegetation cover it need a bit of patience compared to other open field parks ‘’Maasai Mara’’. Tsavo West National Park is popular home to famous Big five animals ‘’Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinoceros and Buffaloes’’. Other animals to observes in Tsavo West National Park includes; Kudus, Giraffes, Hippopotamus, Elands, Baboons, Spotted hyenas, Caracals, Impala, Bushbucks, Genet, Oryx, Zebras, Warthogs, Hyraxes, Gazelles, Dik-Dik, Duikers, Klipspringer antelope, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Porcupine many more.
Travelers can decide to combine Kenya wildlife safari with Uganda’s primates tour through visiting great mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda –Gorilla Trekking. Safaris.
Note; It is privileged to visit Bwindi a home to half of the remaining mountains in the wild that still exists.
A visitor from Kemya can reach Uganda’s Bwindi National Park for Gorilla trekking, through flying from Wilson Airport in Kenya to Uganda’s main landing Airport ‘’Entebbe International Airport’’. If you want to fly to Bwindi -can use a domestic flight Aero link to fly you to Kihihi Airport a nearby Airstrip to the park. Or else take drive from Kampala capital city to the Bwindi which is 8 to 9 hours’ drive.
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