Tsavo West National Park

Overview

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest national parks on the planet which covers 4% of Kenya. Tsavo National Park refers to both Tsavo East and West National Park, which are separated by a road and railway line. The two parks have separate ecosystems: Tsavo East National Park is complemented by open fields and scattered bush while Tsavo West National Park has a hilly landscape with volcanic cones and lava flows.
Tsavo West is more geologically different, from the landscape of the lake and spring to the park's ascendable precipices. The clear Mzima Springs, taken care of by clear water separated through the Chyulu Hills' volcanic stone, are overflowing with elephants, hippos, crocodiles and endemic fishes that can be seen submerged. The park is also home to the Big Five, but wildlife viewing can be a bit slow at times.

High Season

December to March and July to October

Best Time to Go

June to September and January to February

Pros & Cons

Amazing wildlife experience all year round with all of the Big Five Available
Birding is best with Dry-country specials
Chances to spot rare black rhino in the Ngulia rhino sanctuary
Mount Kilimanjaro can be viewed on a clear day
Hippos can be spotted underwater at Mzima Springs

Very limited area for tourism activities
Wildlife density is comparatively low

Map in Kenya

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Tsavo West National Park through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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Wildlife & Animals

Tsavo West has very limited options for wildlife but mostly all species are available. All of the Big Five are available. Lions, cheetahs and leopards can be frequently spotted in the region. It also has hyenas who are forever on the scent of their prey. Elands, plains zebra, gazelles, Grevy’s zebra, hunter’s hartebeest, and lesser kudus are often seen feeding on the 118 plants found in the Tsavo West National Park.

Wildlife Highlights

Wildlife viewing in the Tsavo West is good all year round. However, the Best time will be in the Dry season from June to October. Wildlife is simpler to spot since vegetation is more slender and animals assemble around predictable water sources.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

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Birds

Tsavo West National park is an enormous number of over 400 bird species. Ngulia Hills, one of the tourist spots in the park, is arranged along with one of the world's most active avian migration routes. Bird ringers make a yearly journey here between October and January. Ngulia is the site of Africa's principal bird-ringing (labelling to empower individual bird distinguishing proof) project. Some of the rare bird species in the parks are a big lark, waterway songbird, red-upheld shrike, thrush songbird and normal whitethroat.

Best Time for Birding

Bird watchers can visit the park year-round to spot the resident bird species. Migratory birds can be spotted from November to April. The peak months in the short and long rains are November and April with heavy rain a possibility, leading to bird-watching activities being disrupted.