Tsavo West National Park

“Land of Lava, Springs, Man-Eaters & Magical Sunsets” From the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows, Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness. The savannah ecosystem comprises of open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher's Lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. Tsavo West offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world and attractions include elephant, rhino, Hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, Buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.

Park Activities

  • Cave Exploration

  • Game Viewing

  • Underwater Hippo and Fish Watching

How to Get There

  • Distance: 240 km from Nairobi, 250 km from Mombasa (via Mtito Andei Gate).

  • By Air: The park has three airstrips: Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate, Jipe, Kasigau, Finch Hattons, Ziwani, and Maktau (all in good condition).

  • Gates: Tsavo, Lake Jipe, Mtito Andei (Kamboyo HQ), Chyulu, Maktau, and Ziwani.

  • Roads: Main access routes are via Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi. Visitors from Mombasa can use Tsavo Gate near Manyani. The park is also accessible via the Taveta-Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani, and Jipe Gates.

Attractions

  • Mzima Springs: A stunning spectacle where 50 million gallons of crystal-clear water gush from parched lava rocks, creating one of Africa’s most picturesque scenes.

  • Ancient Lands of Lions: In 1898, construction of the Uganda railway was halted by two voracious man-eating lions, which terrorized the Tsavo region for over nine months.

  • Shetani Lava Flow: A vibrant volcanic landscape formed by molten lava that erupted about 200 years ago, believed by locals to be the work of the devil.

  • Poacher’s Lookout and Roaring Rocks: Panoramic vantage points ideal for observing wildlife herds.

  • Game Drives: Offers some of the world’s most magnificent game viewing opportunities.

  • Ngulia Sanctuary: A haven for the endangered black rhino, recovering from rampant poaching in the 1960s.

  • Lake Jipe: Straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border, teeming with aquatic life and a hotspot for birdwatching.

  • First World War Site (East African Campaign): A historic site of the “gentleman’s war” fought in the thorny scrub and dense forest of Tsavo West, with guided tours of the Crater, Kichwa Tembo, and Mzima Fort tracing the steps of World War I veterans.

Accommodation

  • Ngulia Lodge

What to Bring

  • Drinking water, picnic items, and camping equipment for overnight stays.

  • Recommended: binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and guidebooks.

Highlights

  • Unique activities: cave exploration, game viewing, underwater hippo and fish watching

  • Mzima Springs: 50 million gallons of crystal-clear water gush from lava rocks daily

  • Famous for the man-eating lions of 1898 during the Uganda Railway construction

  • Shetani Lava Flow: dramatic volcanic landscape formed ~200 years ago

  • Poacher’s Lookout & Roaring Rocks offer panoramic views of wildlife movement

  • Exceptional game drives with stunning scenery

  • Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary: home to endangered black rhinos

  • Lake Jipe: rich in aquatic life and ideal for bird watching, shared with Tanzania

  • Historic World War I site with guided tours to Crater, Kichwa Tembo, and Mzima Fort

  • Accessible by road and air: multiple gates and airstrips including Mtito Andei, Tsavo Gate, Chyulu, Jipe, Ziwani

  • Accommodation available at Ngulia Lodge

  • Recommended to carry: drinking water, picnic items, camping gear, binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and guidebooks