Tsavo East National Park - Location and Description
Tsavo East National Park is part of the Greater Tsavo National Park that includes Tsavo East and West National Parks and the Chyulu Hills and consists mostly of miles and miles of dry flat thorn-bush, semi-arid acacia scrub and narrow woodland dominated by acacia. Wonderful Baobab trees are also a common sight in the Park. Tsavo East is located about 200km south east of Nairobi, on the main Nairobi to Mombasa road.
Tsavo East National Park - Topography and Vegetation
Tsavo East has a wide diversity of habitats ranging from bushy grasslands, open plains, rocky outcrops, semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Swampy marshlands occur near Voi River. This has made it possible to host a wide variety of wildlife. Though big in size, some parts of Tsavo East are not open to tourist over the years but today, restricted access is allowed. North of Galana is a true wilderness.
Wildlife and Game Viewing in Tsavo East National Park
Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Tsavo East National Park including the ostrich, and migratory birds like kestrels and buzzards. Tsavo East is home to all of the Big 5 including large amounts of "red" elephants, black rhinoceros, buffalo and Lions. plains game include giraffe, antelopes, zebra, buffalo, waterbucks etc
Major attractions in Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East's Main Attractions include
- Yatta Plateau - one the world's largest and longest lava flow (300 km long).
- Lugards Falls and the Galana River - Easy access to the rapids and possibility to spot majestic landscapes along the river.
- Mudanda Rock is an outcrop rock of 1.6 km long with a large dam at its base. There is possibility to walk at the top of the rock, enjoy the cool breeze and watch wildlife drinking in the dam.
- Aruba Dam - built in 1952 across the Voi river, this dam attracts many bird species and migratory species.
