Tourist attractions in Tsavo West National Park

Tourist attractions in Tsavo West National Park: Tsavo West national park is one of the most thrilling national parks in Kenya located in the Coast province of Kenya, this popular Kenya wildlife safari destination is part of Tsavo conservation area together with Tsavo East national park and these two parks are separated by a railway and Nairobi – Mombasa A109 route.

Tsavo West national park established in 1948 covers an area of 9,065 square kilometers, this popular Kenya wildlife destination is composed of numerous tourist attractions and these include

Wildlife

Tsavo west national park is one of the best destinations for Kenya wildlife safaris in the magical Kenya, the park is recognized for hosting a big population of wildlife species and is famous for large sized red elephants and man eaters (lions). In Kenya red elephants can only be watched in Tsavo West national park which makes the park an exceptional Kenya wildlife safari destination.

Animals inhabiting in Tsavo West national park live in the open savannah plains, acacia woodlands and riverine vegetation. These wildlife species include lion, elephants, cheetah, wild dogs, antelopes, buffalo, black rhinos, hippos, zebra, hyenas, lesser kudu, klipspringers, gerenuk, mongoose, nocturnal porcupine, fringe-eared Oryx, giraffe, crocodile among others.

The rich variety of wildlife species in Tsavo West national park offer excellent Kenya game viewing experiences in the park while on a Kenya safari.

Bird life

One of the most recognized and top spots for Kenya bird watching you should visit is Tsavo West national park, the park is also declared as an Important Birding Area boosting over 600 bird species including residents and migrant bird species. Birds in Tsavo West national park include thrush nightingale, Taita falcon, Taita fiscal, Somali bunting, Somali Ostrich, Somali bee-eater, Rufous chatterer, river warbler, Shelley’s starling, slender-tailed nightjar, red billed parrot, red backed shrike, Narina trogon, marsh warbler, Northern brownbul, pangani long claw, lesser kestrel, common white throat, Basra reed warbler, African finfoot among others.

Kenya birding tours in Tsavo West national park are best done in the period of November to April when migrating bird species are present in the park, the migrating bird species come from America and northern region of African continent.

Mzima springs

Mzima springs are one of the best spots for viewing animals in Tsavo West national park and a water reservoir, the springs are a group of 4 springs located in the western corner of the park. Mzima springs also known as Mzima pools are situated in a distance of 48 kilometers from Mtito Andei, the springs are surrounded by a batch of thicket vegetation consisting of fruit bearing trees attracting many vervet monkeys and numerous species of birds. Mzima springs are resident for huge population of hippos and crocodiles which you will enjoy viewing on a game drive experience in Tsavo West national park.

Chaimu volcanic crater

Chaimu crater is a tall rising hill of a volcanic nature raising from the endless landscape of Tsavo West national park, Chaimu Volcanic crater is made up of bright black colored lava stones thus creating a beautiful scenery and is a perfect site for Kenya climbing safaris in the Tsavo west national park. Chaimu Volcanic crater is referred to as the devil’s crater by the local Kamba people and its from these people locally slag “Chaimu” where the crater gets its name.

Shetani lava flow

Shetani lava flow is one of the most spectacular attractions in Tsavo West national park situated adjust to Shetani caves, this lava flow is a physical feature of 4 kilometers created in about 200 year ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. Shetani lava flow is the only remaining feature of its kind on earth where magma is seen on the surface of the earth, Shetani lava flow runs approximately 4 kilometers west of Chyulu gate featuring folded black lava spreading about 50 square kilometers across savannah plains adjacent to Chyulu hills. Shetani lava flow holds a traditional significance to the local people as they believe the devil himself emerged through the lava flow to enter earth and because of this belief the lava flow was named Shetani a Kiswahili word meaning devil.

Lake Jipe

Lake is a small shallow alkaline and inter-territorial lake straddling along the border of Kenya and Tanzania, the Kenyan part of this beautiful lake is situated in Tsavo West national park. Lake Jipe is 30 square kilometers and is fed by Lumi River descending from Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Jipe is a great tourist attraction in Tsavo West national park as it attracts a huge concentration of birds such as African swamp hen, Madagascar squacco heron, black heron, African skimmers, Egyptian geese and animals such as hartebeests, lesser kudu, elephants among others which crowd at the lake to drink water. Lake Jipe is a perfect spot to visit while on Kenya game viewing and bird watching safaris in Tsavo West national park.

First World War site- East African campaign

The first World War site (East African campaign) in Tsavo West national park is a historical site commemorating the most bizarre campaign of the World war fought in the bush of the park by the local people. The East African campaign is referred to the gentleman war waged under the code of honor in which local fighters used guerilla tactics adopted from the African Tribal fighters.

First World War site in Tsavo West national park is an amazing site to visit while on a Kenya walking safari in the park.

Visiting Tsavo West national park offers a chance to encounter these beautiful tourist attraction on a Kenya safari.