What comes to your mind when you hear about a ‘safari’ holiday”? Do you have scenes of you photographed with the ‘Big Five’ wildlife in remote parts of Africa? Or, you getting intimate with amazing open savanna sceneries, wining and dining in the wild before a night in a tented suite? Well, the safari lifestyle is without a doubt mesmerizing and addictive and everyone should have it on their bucket list!
One of the best places to have a true safari experience on a budget is at Tsavo National Park, in Kenya. This Kenya’s biggest and oldest national park will truly get you ticking off safari from your bucket list!
FUN FACTS
Tsavo National Park is located in between Mombasa and Nairobi City in Kenya. It covers nearly 15,000 square kilometers and is among the biggest parks in the world. The railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi split the park into two. So now, Tsavo National Park is considered as having two parts Tsavo East and Tsavo West.
Tsavo East National Park: Tsavo East is the largest of the two and is characteristically the flattest and driest even though it hosts the spectacular Lugard Falls, and Galana river flows right through it! There is a good population of zebras, gazelles, buffalos, lions, hippos, wildebeest hyenas,’ giraffes, cheetahs, and elephants here.
Tsavo West National Park: Tsavo West is mountainous and wetter and is home to Mzima Springs, Lake Jipe, and a lot of small swamps. It also hosts most of the “Big Five” and other smaller animals. Here you also find rhinos, elephants, leopards, hippos, lions, Kudus, Maasai giraffes, and bush baby.
Getting there
Tsavo East is mainly accessed from Mtito Andei gate about 4 hours(224km) driving from Mombasa and 4.5 hours (233.2km) from Nairobi city. Tsavo West is accessed from Voi, at Voi or Manyani gate, about 2.5 hours from Mombasa and 5.5 hours from Nairobi.
There are three options to get to Mtito Andei/Voi from Mombasa city (MBA) or Nairobi (NBO). They include:
- Private taxi
/Self-drive - Using tour operator companies- Depending on your budget you can opt to go online and look up tour companies that provide bush safari packages. Check out bonfire adventures and face2face safaris for deals.
- Chartered flights-Some of the lodges and tented camps within Tsavo park own private airstrips therefore you can fly there directly using a chartered flight once you are already in Mombasa or Nairobi.
Top things to do at Tsavo National Park
- Game drives- spot the extraordinary Big Five in waterholes as nature awakens or late in the evening and enjoy scenic views of snow-capped Mt Kilimanjaro during guided drives.
- Take a guided tour of Mzima springs an amazing oasis full of crocodiles, hippos, monkeys, migrant fish, and bird species.
- Visit the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to quickly catch a glimpse of elephants, leopards, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, zebras, and gazelles.
- Visit Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, an easily accessible animal conservancy with lots of spectacular wildlife to view.
- Walking safaris through the bush.
- Hiking and rock climbing at Roaring rocks.
- Enjoy scenic views of Lugard Falls on Galana river or Shetani lava flows created by volcanic eruptions.
- Birding watching -Tsavo Park has a good number of unusual bird species and migrant birds for bird enthusiasts.
- Dine in the wild- Enjoy amazing sundowners as you end your day with sumptuous meals, under the stars in front of a fireplace at tented camps or lodges within the park.
- Photograph the blackest rhinos in Kenya at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
Places to stay
Below is a list of handpicked accommodation facilities that will give you a memorable experience within Tsavo National Park:
- Satao Camp – This is an unfenced property in the middle of the park, with luxury tented suites that overlook some of the most popular wildlife waterholes. You are assured of sighting the Big Five animals right, from your verandah as they drink water.
- Galdessa Camp offers beautiful views of the Galana River and wildlife sightings as you dine. Guided walking safaris are available to offer guests magical bush experiences.
- Lions Bluff Lodge is easily accessible by road and close to Lumo sanctuary and Taita Hills Conservancy.
- Salt Lick Safari lodge hotel consists of rooms that are elevated on stilts with verandahs facing waterholes ensuring that you enjoy uninterrupted views as animals quench their thirst. It has a private airstrip where chartered flights can land.
- Finch Hattons Luxury tented camp
- Ashnil Aruba Lodge
- Sagala lodge
- Voyager Ziwani Camp
- Severin safari camp
- Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
- Voi wildlife lodge
Tips:
Airlines & Flight Prices
Kenya has two main international airports. The largest airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which is located in Nairobi and the second largest is Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa.
Do check Skyscanner or Expedia to see airlines and flights that will take you to Nairobi or Mombasa and their prices.
Malaria
The risk of Malaria is higher in most of parts Kenya. Therefore, ensure you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself like using antimalarial drugs, mosquito repellants, mosquito nets, and completely covering up at night if you are out in the wild.
Climate
Expect temperatures of between 20-30 degrees within the park. Remember to dress accordingly.
I absolutely think Tsavo National Park is worth saving up for! So, where is your dream safari location?