Land of the Legendary “Man Eaters of Tsavo”
Where a man feels at home, outside of where he’s born, is where he’s meant to go. — Ernest Hemingway, Green Hills of Africa
There is something captivating about Tsavo – a feeling of vast space and ancient magic of the truly wild. Thick red soil stains the leathery skin of its sizeable elephant population, and the sight of a herd of red elephants crossing the Tsavo River beneath lush palm fronds is one not easily forgotten.
Tsavo National Park is the largest in Kenya split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West by Mombasa Highway and the railway running from Mombasa to Uganda.
Tsavo West covers a huge variety of landscapes from swamps, natural springs and rocky peaks to extinct volcanic cones, rolling plains and sharp outcrops dusted with greenery.
Mzima Springs
Below the volcanic Chyulu Hills, a natural reservoir of water percolates through the porous rock before eventually emerging filtered, at Mzima Springs. Here, people can enter a glass viewing chamber to watch the life underneath the surface of a crystal-clear pool – including schools of fish, crocodiles, and the resident hippos. The dense dates and raffia palms and an assortment of various other fruiting trees attract a variety of bird and primate life, making the springs a veritable oasis, especially during the drier months.
Ngulia Hills
Rising more than 600m above the valley floor and to a height of over 1800m above sea level, this jagged ridgeline ranks among the prettiest of all Tsavo landforms.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
A 90-sq-km area is fenced off by a 1m-high electric fence to provide a refuge to about 80 highly endangered black rhinos.
Shetani Lava Flow
The spectacular Shetani Lava Flow covers approximately 4km west of the Chyulu gate of Tsavo West National Park towards Amboseli. The lava flow was formed only a few hundred years ago, which local people superstitiously believed that it was the devil himself emerging from the earth, hence the name ‘Shetani’ means ‘devil’ in Kiswahili:
Shetani Caves
Shetani Caves are a result of the same volcanic activity that formed the Shetani Lava Flows.
Chaimu Crater and Roaring Rocks
Southeast of Kilaguni Serena Lodge, these two natural features offer stunning views of the Chyulu Hills and birds of prey circling high above the plains. The Roaring Rocks can be climbed in about 15 minutes; the name comes from the wind whistling up the escarpment and the persistent drone of cicadas.
Poacher's Lookout
A hilltop vantage point offering fine views out over the park, and to the west, the plains of the Amboseli ecosystem and Mt Kilimanjaro.
Lake Jipe
The freshwater lake straddles the border of Kenya and Tanzania and is a popular campsite for locals. Huge herds of elephants come to the lake to drink while large flocks of migratory birds stop here every February to May.
Lake Chala
Another freshwater lake that straddles the border of Kenya and Tanzania, its turquoise water attracts visitors looking for an afternoon swim or boat ride away from the crowd.
CONNECTING FLIGHTS
Travellers from Amboseli can fly to:
SEASONS
High:
21st December 2022 - 28th February 2023
1st June 2023 - 31st October 2023
Low:
1st March 2023 - 31st May 2023
1st November 2023 - 20th December 2023
SCHEDULE | FARES | |||||||
From | To | Depart | Arrive |
| Fares | Low season | High Season | Tax |
Wilson | Finch Hattons | 0730 | 0830 | One-way | $203 | $203 | $25 | |
Finch Hattons | Wilson | 0845 | 0930 | Return | $338 | $338 | $34 |
Fares are valid from 21st December 2022 to 20th December 2023
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