Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park, The southwest part of Kenya is home to Tsavo West National Park. It is in the Coast Province. The A109 Nairobi-Mombasa road and a railway line separate it from the nearby Tsavo East National Park. Taking the A109, the trip from Nairobi is about 168 miles.

Size

It’s about 3,000 square miles big, Tsavo West National Park.

History

From the Stone Ages onward, Tsavo West National Park had a thriving economy based on the trade of ivory, cowry shells, animal skins, and most likely slaves. In 1898, the Uganda Railway line was built. This may have been the start of one of Tsavo West’s most famous stories. Two male lions without manes were known as the “Maneaters of Tsavo” because they killed 28 men of African and Indian descent and followed them. The park, which is now called Kenya Wildlife Services, was taken over by them in 1963. It is still one of Kenya’s most interesting national parks.

Fees and permits to get in

It costs USD52 for adults to enter Tsavo West National Park and USD35 for kids.

When they are open

Tsavo West National Park’s gates are open from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm.]

How to Get There

By Road

It takes between four and a half and five hours to drive from Nairobi. The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, or A109, is used for the 168-mile trip. From Mombasa, it takes five hours to get there. You can enter through any of the five gates, which are the Tsavo gate, the Mtito Andei gate, the Chyulu gate, the Ziwani gate, or the Maktau gate.

 

By Air

People who want to visit Tsavo West National Park can fly from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. The flight takes about an hour. Tsavo Gate Airstrip, Ziwani Airstrip, Kamboyo Airstrip, Jipe Airstrip, Kilaguni Airstrip, Finch Hattons Airstrip, and Maktau Airstrip are some of the places where tourists can land.

Best Time to Visit

Climate and weather

In Tsavo West National Park, the weather is mostly mild during the dry winter months of June through September, when highs reach about 77F. In the summer, from December to early March, highs can reach up to 90F. The short rains happen in November and December. The big rains happen in March and April.

You can go on safari in Tsavo West National Park at any time of the year, because each season brings a new set of scenery features and animal wonders. But if you want to see the most wildlife, you should think about going in the winter, from June to August. The dry weather and short grass make it easy to see animals. If you like to watch birds, Tsavo West National Park is a great place to go in January and February.

Staying away from crowds

If you want to go on a trek in Tsavo West National Park, June is a good time to go because it is mild and there won’t be many people there. September and October are great months to visit Tsavo East because there aren’t as many people there. The busiest months for travel are July and August. If you plan to visit outside of those months, you will see fewer safari cars on the Tsavo West plains.

Good Value for Money

You can stay in comfortable tents or high-end hotels, and from all of them you can see the amazing animals that live in Tsavo West National Park’s varied landscape. With a range of places to stay, easy access from the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, and closeness to Mombasa for a “beach & bush” experience, Tsavo West National Park is a great place to go on safari for a good price.

Wildlife & Landscape

Wildlife that people like to see in Tsavo West National Park

There is a great chance that tourists will see the “Big Five.” Predators like lion and leopard live in the park, and buffalo, black rhino, and elephants roam the plains looking for food and shade. Giraffe, zebra, gerenuk, and the beautiful Kudu are just a few of the plains animals that you might see on a tour. Over 400 kinds of birds can be seen in the park. The Basra Reed Warbler is one of them, and it is very close to being put on the endangered species list.

 

The Ground

The scenery of Tsavo West National Park is very different. It has large plains, swamps, rocky outcrops, and volcanic craters. Its beautiful scenery is the perfect background for the many kinds of wildlife that live there. Watch animals resting by a river or walking through acacia forests.

Safari Experiences

Game Drives

In Tsavo West National Park, game drives are done in 4×4 safari vehicles, most of which are closed with a pop-up roof. However, some more upscale hotels and camps offer safaris in 4×4 vehicles that are open. Guests normally leave before dawn for a morning game drive and again in the late afternoon, stopping to take pictures of the African sunset.

 

Safaris with a guide

In Tsavo West National Park, you can go on nature hikes and bush walks with the help of trained guides. You can hike in the hills of Chyulu and enjoy breathtaking views, or you can just stroll along the sides of a river and watch your favorite animals from afar while learning about the interesting plants and animals that live nearby.

Lodges & Camps

People who want to stay in Tsavo West National Park can pick from different lodges and camps based on style, size, and location. While luxury tented camps offer a more private stay, larger hotels may be better for families and groups who like a more lively atmosphere.

Tsavo West National Park Lodging – Distance from Park Entrance

Lodge or Hotel Distance to park entrance (in miles)
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge 10 miles from the Mtito Andei Gate, travelling in an easterly direction
Voyager Ziwani Camp 40 miles from the Mtito Andei Gate, travelling in a southerly direction
Severin Safari Camp 17 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in an easterly direction
Sarova Salt Lick Safari Lodge 20 miles from Mwakitau Gate in a northerly direction
Lionsbluff Lodge 30 miles west of Voi
Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp 34 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in an easterly direction
Maneaters Camp 30 miles from the Mtitio Andei Gate travelling in southerly direction
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