Encompassing an expansive stretch of land between the capital city of Nairobi and the Indian Ocean, Tsavo is Kenya’s largest national park, so large that the government has divided the region in two to facilitate its management and administration. Both parks offer an array of lodges, tented camps and self-catering accommodations. In addition to a copious amount of wildlife, including the “big five” (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo), the parks feature a wide range of topography and habitats. Dry lava flows, natural springs and caves formed by the region’s volcanic activity add drama to the landscape.
Tsavo East boasts large herds of elephants, rhinos and other game animals. The park also has several geographical features worth exploring, including Mudanda Rock, a long outcrop of lock that acts as a natural dam. Visitors can hike along the rock and view animals drinking from the water below. The Lugard Falls, which is actually a series of white-water rapids, is another popular destination. There are several air strips located within the east side of the park to accommodate fly-in safari visitors, many of whom combine the trip with a visit to Kenya’s nearby coastal resorts. The park is easily accessible by road and railway as well.
With a landscape that stretches into the Chyulu Hills, Tsavo National Park West features a more rocky terrain than its eastern counterpart, making the park an attractive destination for rock climbers. The park is also home to the Mzima Springs, which are four natural springs where water collected through the region’s porous volcanic rock comes to the surface. The springs support populations of hippos, and underwater hippo-watching is a popular tourist activity.