Covering 4% of Kenya’s surface area, Tsavo West, alongside its expansive neighbor Tsavo East National Park have a lonely, lost-in-Africa feel to them, a special feeling you won’t find in most of the savannah parks in East Africa. They offer a chance to see all members of the Big Five in a single day.
Wildlife densities are much lower here compared to Masai Mara, however, there are lots of landmarks that are worth visiting. This includes recent lava flows and Mzima Springs where you will find underwater observation chambers that offer close-up views of a rich concentration of hippos. While Tsavo West is dominated by a rugged, semi-arid landscape, Tsavo East features lots of volcanic hills and rocky outcrops. Just outside the park, you will find more lava flows that make for a great excursion. Weather permitting, the parks offer lovely views of Mt Kilimanjaro and its snow peaks.
The shaggy maned lions of both parks are descendants of the legendary man-eaters that were a nightmare during the construction of a railway through it (in the early colonial days). Some of our best leopard sightings have been here at Tsavo West’s Rhino Valley which lies in the shadow of the dramatic Ngulia Hills. Red-hued elephants and buffalo are also common and best of all, the park is near Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a 90km2 breeding ground that has restored the population of the black rhinos, saving them from extinction. You can take advantage of this proximity to explore the 60 rhinos, some of which are on the verge of being released into the wider park.
Tsavo West comes across as one of the best places to see animals in the antelope family, especially those that thrive in arid conditions such as the skittish lesser kudu, klipspringers, as well the fringe-eared oryx. Generuk can be found standing on its hind legs to reach the foliage of trees and bushes. With some luck, you could chance on the critically endangered Hunter’s hartebeest.