Which is the Largest national park in East Africa? Tsavo National Park is situated in the southeastern province of the Republic of Kenya. The national park holds the privilege of being the largest national park in East African countries due to the fact that it covers approximately 22,681 square kilometers. The national park was gazetted in 1948 and it is commonly known as dwell of the wild. The National Park is bisected into east and west by the Nairobi to Mombasa railway and road. The national park is home to captivating diverse habitats, wildlife, and magnificent mountain landscapes. Tsavo East National Park, situated in southeastern Kenya near Voi in Taita Taveta County, is part of Tsavo National Park, which is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks by a railway line. Tsavo National Park is named after the Tsavo River, which flows through the park. The outlook of Tsavo East National Park is generally flat with savannah grasslands, and it is also semiarid. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and various antelope species.
Tsavo West National Park is composed of volcanic landscapes, rugged hills, and diverse ecosystems. The park features the scenic Mzima Springs, a series of clear pools fed by underground streams that provide a home for hippos, crocodiles, and a rich diversity of birdlife. Another popular attraction in Tsavo West is the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a protected area dedicated to the conservation of the endangered black rhino. You can also explore the Shetani Lava Flow, a black lava plain, and marvel at the magnificent views from the park’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Both Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks offer a plethora of opportunities for wildlife experiences, including game drives, guided walks, and birdwatching. There are various accommodation types within the parks, ranging from luxurious lodges to basic campsites, where you can choose to stay during your safari.
Amazing safari things to do at Tsavo National Park
Game drives
Game drives are one of the most famous activities in Tsavo National Park where tourists will get the opportunity to explore the park in a comfortable way on a safari with an experienced game guide. Game drives in Tsavo National Park are done using open-roof safari vans or land cruisers that take the tourists closer to the wildlife including animals. Game drive safaris in the park are mostly conducted in three sections that’s morning, evening game drives and full day game drives. During the game drive along, you will follow a network of game viewing tracks, there are plenty of animals to see including Elephants, Buffalo, Zebra, Hippos, Lions, Rhinos, Giraffes, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik-Dik, Lesser Kudu, Leopard, and many other mammal species. As one of the most scenic semiarid plains in East Africa, the game drive in Tsavo provides an opportunity to see gentle hills blending in beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.
On a game drive during the day, you get to be driven following the tracks, through the semiarid plains, acacia and baobab trees and into the habitat of beautiful mammal species in the Tsavo National Park. Some other animals to be spotted out while on a day game drive such as the antelopes, Eland, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Lions, Kobs, Gazelles, Dik-dik, Topis, Zebras, Impala, Rhinos, wildebeests, Kudu among others.
Tsavo National Park also offers a night game drive where visitors will be able to explore the park with the armed guide park ranger to spot the nocturnal animals, especially the serval cats, civets, and leopards. You will be guided by your flashlight and an experienced ranger and it only takes 2 to 4 hours.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching in Tsavo National Park is one of the most exciting activities to do while on a Tsavo safari. The park is home to over 600 different bird species but surprisingly over 100 bird species are migratory birds that come from different parts of the works, making it the ideal destination for bird-watching expeditions. These colorful migratory birds always spend about 2 to 3 months before they return back. Birdwatching safari in Tsavo National Park is carried out in different birding spots within the east and west national parks and it’s most fascinating during the country’s rainy seasons which run from Murch to May and then November. During this season the birds breed and the park receives a huge number of migratory birds. During your bird watching safari in the park, you’ll have an opportunity to spot a number of colorful birds such as Ostriches, White-Faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Blue-Billed Teal, Northern Pintail, Helmeted Guineafowl, Eastern Crested Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, Yellow-Necked Spurfowl, Greater Flamingo, Little Grebe, Ring-Necked Dove, African-Green-Pigeon, Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse, Black-Bellied Bustard, Eurasian Nightjar, Mottled Spine tail, Gray Crowned-Crane, Blacksmith Lapwing, African Jacana and Black-Headed Gull among others
Walking safari
Waking safaris famously known as nature walks are some of the most thrilling activities offered to visitors on Kenya safari in Tsavo National Park. This is one way visitors can explore the hidden gems of the semiarid plains of the Tsavo. Tsavo National Park management offers nature walks in some areas of the park with a ranger guide. During the walking safari which takes 2 to 4 hours, you will follow different hiking trails where you will be able to have more time and engagement concerning birds, animals and more so the fascinating semiarid plains.
Camel riding safaris
Camel riding safaris are also one of the most thrilling activities to do while on a Kenya safari in Tsavo National Park, this captivating activity is commonly conducted in the east Tsavo National Park, the park is home to the most astonishing breathtaking landscape in Kenya, on these safaris, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the park’s hidden treasures while riding atop a majestic Camel and take in all that nature has to offer. From sightseeing exotic wildlife up close to crossing rivers on your trusty steed, a camel-riding safari in Tsavo National Park is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years to come.
Rock climbing
Tsavo National Park offers some of the best rock-climbing adventures in Kenya. The most impressive rock climb is the famous 300m Kichwa Tembo rock which attracted the first adventure and later, the second expedition to conquer the impressive Tsavo Chimney. Other hiking and rock-climbing areas include the Ngulia Hills, Mastodon and Ivory tower. These viewpoints allow you to have a panoramic view of the landscapes, large herds of elephants roaming the vast plains and flocks of birds in the park. The rock climb usually happens in the morning hours before the heat of the sun becomes intense and for safety purposes, climbers are escorted by an armed ranger.
Visiting Mzima Springs
The Mzima Springs is a famous water hole for abundant wildlife including the large herds of elephants, buffalos, Zebras, and Gazelles which gather here especially in the heat of the day to quench their thirst and get a cold bath. The spring is also home to a vast number of Nile crocodiles and hippos. The surrounding acacia trees harbor the Frolic Blue and Vervet Monkeys. Tsavo National Park has various eye-catching tourist attractions to watch during the safari.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about which is the largest National Park in East Africa. and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Kenya.
