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Area:
Tsavo West National park has an area of 9065
km2. Separated from Tsavo East
National Park by Nairobi- Mombasa road, the park extends from Athi River in the North to Tanzania border. Tsavo is
also the home of the man eaters of Tsavo, the lions which brought the
construction of the railway to a standstill. The local people believed that
the lions were reincarnated chiefs protesting the invasion of their land by
foreigners. A visit to Tsavo West National Park is best combined with
excursions to Chyulu hills National Park and Taita Hills Game Reserve.
Other attractions in the vicinity include Lake Jipe
Established: Gazetted
in 1948, Tsavo West National Park is an ideal destination for those
interested in hard adventures. While game watching is ideal in
Tsavo West and particularly Mzima Springs, the nearby Chyulu Hills
National Park (see below) offers hiking and caving
opportunities. Rock climbing is possible at Tembo peak and Ngulia hills.
Climate:
In Tsavo West temperature ranges from 20o C - 30o C and
rainfall from 200mm - 700mm. The park Experiences two rainy seasons: Long rains - March/April & Short rains- Nov/December.
Habitats:
Tsavo West has a variety of habitats
including open plains, savannah bush, semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands, rocky
ridges and outcrops, extensive ranges and isolated hills, belts of riverine vegetation, palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.
Physical Features/ Attractions;
The main
physical features in are Shaitani lava flow
, Cyulu
hills, Lake
Jipe , Mzima
springs, Mt.
Kilimanjaro Chaimu
crater Roaring
rocks.
Mzima springs are
perhaps one of the greatest wonder of Tsavo West National Park. Water gurgles from the underground and
forms large expanse of pools, which provide habitats for colourful fish,
hippos and crocodiles. A glass
observation tank allows one to view this aquatic undisturbed. The springs are the main source of water
for Mombasa municipality.
Mammals: Besides the lions, Tsavo West National Park has a large concentration of herbivores and predators. These include the Bush
back, dik dik, duickers, eland, gazelles, gerenuk, wildebeest, hartebeest, impala, klipspringer, lesser kudu, fringe eared Oryx, steinbok, suni,
buffalo, elephant, maasai giraffe, hippos, black rhino, cheetar, aardwolf, caracal, hyena, lions, leopard,baboons
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary:
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary covers
an area of 70 Km2. It has around 50 Black Rhinos.
Lake Jipe
Lake Jipe is reached from Taveta.
One can go for a boat ride in the lake. It is also popular with
migratory birds from Europe between February and May.
With over 600 recorded
species of birds, Tsavo West National Park is a bird watcher's paradise. Lake
Jipe being one of the favoured sites of migratory birds.
Each year from September to November the Ngulia region becomes the base for a large-scale netting and
ringing.
Getting Into Tsavo West National Park
Roads:
Tsavo west can accessed by road from Nairobi or Mombasa.
Airstrips
:
Kamboyo, Kilaguni, Tsavo Gate and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.
Park
Gates:
Chyulu, Mtito Andei, Tsavo, Jipe, Maktau Gate, Kasigau Gate.
Accommodation
/Lodges in Tsavo West National Park:
The first lodge to be constructed in
the park was Kilanguni. It
was opened in 1962 by the Duke of Gloucester.
The lodge affords panoramic views of the park. Its waterhole is frequented by park animals. Others include:-
Campsites & Camping in Tsavo West
National Park:
Lake Jipe (public); Kamboya (public); Royal Little (special); Lake Jipe; Chyulu Gate; Diani Camp; Finch Hattons Camp, Kitani
safari camp,
Bandas:
Lake Jipe; Kitani; Ngulia.
Picnic Sites:
Poachers look out; Chaimu Crater; Shetani caves; Roaring Rocks.
Chyulu Hills National Park
The combination of Beautiful scenery and rugged terrain makes Chyulu Hills
the best hiking destination in Kenya. The main attraction is Leviathan
Cave, the world's second-longest lava tube. Animals include elephants,
buffaloes, elands, forest hogs and an occasional black rhinocerous.
Gates;- Makedo Gate, Kibwezi Gate,
Accommodation at Chylu Hills National Park
Public campsite at Kibwezi Gate (Bring your own camping equipments.
Outisde the park are Umani Springs Camp ( ideal for serious
cavers), Ol Donyo Wuas (Very exclusive and Campi Ya Kanzi and
Nyati Safari Camp.
Taita Hills Game Reserve
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