| Much of the area is savanna and plains, but there are also acacia woodlands, shrubs,
semi deserts, palm groves, gallery forests along the rivers, rocky hills and mountain
forests. The only lake within this area is Lake Jipe in south-western Tsavo West.
Many species, many elephants
As
to numbers of species, Tsavo may be compared to Kenya's prime park Masai
Mara, and has some species that are absent in the Mara, for example gerenuk,
oryx and Grevy's zebra. There are some 7,000 elephants, many lions and some rhinoceros,
even though the rhino population was heavily decimated by poaching during the
1900's. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Tsavo, including
eight different hornbills, all eight East African vultures and eleven types of
herons. Both common ostrich and Somali ostrich are found in the area, even though
the latter only appears north of the Galana River in Tsavo East, i.e. in non-tourist
areas. Tsavo West
Tsavo West has more visitors than the other
parks in the area, and has a good road network for game
driving. The Tsavo River, which is one of two permanent rivers, passes
through northern Tsavo West, attracting wildlife. Mzima Springs are also found
in this area, offering clear water and observation points below surface level,
where you may see fish and hippos. The route between the springs and Tsavo Gate
are considered the best game driving area. Just west of the springs is
the Chaimu Crater, a volcano crater that you may visit on foot. The Shatani Caves
north of the river can also be visited. Lake Jipe in south-western Tsavo
West has huge reed beds and a rich bird life. You may see for example pied kingfisher,
palmnut vulture, black heron and African skimmer. Tsavo East
Tsavo East is drier than Tsavo West. Much of the park is closed for tourists,
who are restricted to the areas south and west of the Galana and Athi Rivers.
Athi, which extends from Nairobi,
joins with the Tsavo River from Tsavo West and continues towards the Indian Ocean
as the Galana River. The areas north of Galana and Athi are mainly dry shrubs
and plains. The main attractions of Tsavo East are the Lugard Falls, found
just east of where the Tsavo and the Athi join, the Mudanda Rock, where a natural
permanent dam attracts wildlife during dry seasons, and the Yatta Plateau, which
is one of the world's largest lava fields. The areas south of and along the Galana
River are usually the best for game driving. Tsavo bird life
Birders
are likely to enjoy the rich and varied bird life of Tsavo. Nice species to look
for are great white and pink-backed pelican, African open-billed stork, wooly-necked
stork, hadada ibis, glossy ibis, secretary bird, black eagle, long-crested eagle,
martial eagle, lammergeier, palmnut vulture, gabar goshawk, pallid harrier, vulturine
guineafowl, crested bustard, African jacana, three-banded plover, black-headed
plover, crowned plover, two-banded courser, black-faced sandgrouse, olive pigeon,
Diedrik cuckoo, great spotted cuckoo, Hartlaub's turaco, African orange-bellied
parrot, rufous-crowned roller, African pygmy kingfisher, carmine bee-eater, little
bee-eater, green wood-hoopoe, Nubian nightjar, African scops owl, African dusky
flycatcher, African paradise flycatcher, isabelline wheatear, Retz's helmet-shrike,
black cuckoo-shrike, red-tailed shrike, red-billed firefinch, blue-capped cordon-bleu
and amethyst sunbird. 
Lodges and camps
Accommodation is available in many lodges
and tented
camps, and also in camping
sites and in hotels in for example Voi.
Tsavo
West
 Kilaguni
Serena Safari Lodge is situated in Tsavo West and was the first lodge in a Kenyan national park,
built from volcanic stone. The lodge offers good standard and has some 55 rooms, which like the
restaurant, bar and observation decks face Kilimanjaro. A waterhole outside the restaurant attracts
elephants, buffalos, zebras and other animals.
More about Kilaguni
Serena Safari Lodge Web site: www.serenahotels.com
| Finch Hattons is a tented lodge in western Tsavo
West, and is known for its quality and comfort approach to tented safaris. The
overall style is colonial elegance. The lodge has 35 furnished tents, restaurant
(with six-course dinners), lounge and bar areas, library, gift shop, and swimming
pool. The main safari activities offered are game drives and bush walks. Finch
Hattons is not fenced, and wildlife may be seen in and around camp. Web
site: www.finchhattons.com Ngulia
Safari Lodge, built in 1969, is perched on an escarpment near the rhino sanctuary
in northern Tsavo West, offering fine views of the park. The lodge has 52 rooms,
all with ensuite bathroom and balcony. There is a restaurant, two bars, swimming
pool, floodlit waterholes, gift shop, and conference facilities. The lodge offers
game drives in the park. Web site: www.safari-hotels.com Rhino
Valley Lodge is a basic tourist class lodge set on a hillside in northern
Tsavo West, with great views of the park. There are 16 normal rooms, and 6 self-catering
bandas with kitchenette. The lodge has restaurant and bar. The activities offered
are game drives and nature walks. Web site: www.tsavocampsandlodges.com Voyager
Ziwani Safari Camp is situated by a river outside of western Tsavo West. It
has 25 tents with ensuite bathroom and private veranda facing the river. There
is a restaurant, a lounge bar, a gift shop, and an airstrip. The camp offers day
and night game drives, bush walks, and various outings in the surroundings.
Web site: www.heritage-eastafrica.com
Severin Safari Camp is a tented lodge not very far from Mzima Springs
in northern Tsavo West. It has 22 tents with ensuite bathrooms and private verandas.
A main building has restaurant, bar, lounge with wireless Internet, gift shop,
spa, swimming pool, and views of Kilimanjaro and a floodlit waterhole. The main
safari activities are game drives and bush walks. Web site: www.severin-kenya.com
Tsavo
East
 Satao
Camp is a tented camp in Tsavo East. It has a good bush feeling, and is set close to a waterhole
that attracts many animals. The 20 tents are decorated in safari style. Satao Camp has been built
to allow access for visitors in wheelchairs, and also has game drive vehicles adapted for wheelchairs.
More
about Satao Camp Web site: www.sataocamp.com |
Ashnil Aruba Lodge is situated by the Aruba Dam in southern
Tsavo East. It was reopened in 2008 after redevelopment. The lodge has 40 good-looking
rooms, all with ensuite bathroom, safe and a veranda facing the savanna or the
dam. There is a dining area, bar, lounge, ice cream parlour, swimming pool, gift
shop, and viewing decks. Web site: www.ashnilhotels.com Galdessa
Camp is a good lodge on the southern bank of the Galana River in Tsavo East.
The lodge has 14 semi-tented bungalows, all with ensuite bathroom (safari style
bucket showers) and private veranda. There is a dining area and a lounge. Three
of the bungalows are set apart from the others, have private facilities etc and
can be booked exclusively. The lodge offers game drives and bush walks for activities. Web
site: www.galdessa.com Epiya
Chapeyu Camp is a tented camp set by the Galana River in Tsavo East. It is
the most remote of the camps and lodges in the park. The camp has 15 tents, all
with ensuite bathroom and veranda facing the river. It has riverfront dining deck,
and game viewing platforms with bar service. An airstrip is 5 km/3 mi from camp. Web
site: www.epiya-chapeyu-camp.com Kilalinda
Lodge is a good lodge set on the edge of western Tsavo East, overlooking the
Athi River (which further downstream becomes the Galana River). The lodge has
six rooms in chalets, dining room plus an outdoor dining platform overlooking
the river, and a swimming pool. The activities offered include day and night game
drives, bush walks, river tours, fishing, and fly camping. Web site: www.kilalinda.com Crocodile
Camp is set by the Galana River in western Tsavo East. There are both tents
and bungalows with ensuite bathrooms. The lodge has restaurant, bar, and swimming
pool. Patterson's Safari Camp is a tented camp by a river outside
western Tsavo East. It has 20 standard safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, restaurant,
bar, and gift shop. Web site: www.pattersonsafaricamp.com Ngutuni
Safari Lodge is situated outside of Tsavo East, in a private 40 km2/16 sq
mi game sanctuary. The lodge has 48 rooms, restaurant (dress code for dinner),
bar, gift shop, and a floodlit waterhole. The activities offered include day and
night game drives. Rock Side Camp is a nice lodge set on the side
of hill west of southmost Tsavo East. It offers great views of the surroundings.
It has 23 bungalows/bandas, all with ensuite bathrooms. There is a restaurant,
a bar, and a swimming pool. Web site: www.rocksidecamp.com Voi
Safari Lodge is a tourist class lodge situated just outside Voi (i.e. close
to Tsavo East). It is built on a hill and offers wide views. It has 52 rooms,
restaurant, bar, swimming pool, conference facilities, and waterholes. Web
site: www.safari-hotels.com Voi
Wildlife Lodge is a large tourist class lodge situated just outside Voi (i.e.
close to Tsavo East). It has 72 rooms plus tents, all in all accommodating 300
guests. There is a restaurant, two bars, spa, health club, conference facilities,
badminton, volleyball, and children's playground. Web site: www.voiwildlifelodge.com Tsavo
Lodge and Ndololo Safari Camp around the Voi Gate of Tsavo East offer
budget accommodation. Web site: www.tsavocampsandlodges.com
|
