Although Tsavo West and Tsavo East were once a single mega-park, they were separated decades ago, along a line coinciding with the Mombasa highway – and they feel like quite distinct national parks with different eco-systems: the open, flat-to-undulating plains and scattered bush of Tsavo east national park and the much more wooded, hilly landscapes, dotted with volcanic cones and dramatic, black lava flows, that characterise Tsavo West National Park.

The park has one of the most diverse landscapes in East Africa, with several volcanic craters and interesting hills.

To the south of Tsavo West, the Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary, directly bordering the well-known Taita Hills Game Sanctuary, is one of Kenya’s most successful new community conservation initiatives. If you’re interested in Lumo safaris you’ll find there’s just one lodge on the conservancy and that it shares a common border with the Taita Hills Sanctuary.

Walking safaris can be organized at Lions bluff lodge with is in Lumo Santuary.
While the most photographed lodge is Salt Lick lodge which looks magnificent on stilts.
Most guests will drive-in or be driven to Tsavo West from Nairobi, Mombasa, or enter from the adjacent Amboseli National Park. The main access routes are through Chyulu Gate from Amboseli and Mtito Andei Gate from Nairobi. Visitors from Mombasa will make use of Tsavo Gate near Manyani.
Airport – There are three main airstrips in the Tsavo West National Park at Kilaguni, Finch Hattons and Ol Donyo Wuas. However, many of the lodges have their own private airstrips.
Tsavo West Highlights & Attractions
• Walking safaris during which you can explore the Chaimu volcanic crater
• The underground viewing hide which allows you to get a different perspective on Hippos and Crocodiles from underwater at the Mzima Springs
• See the Shetani flow where a volcano erupted and created a river of magma that has hardened
• Sundowner at Poachers look out.

The Experience
Today the region is much more tranquil, and is known for its Red-coloured Elephants, which love to dust bath in the red colored soil. The park has many interesting geological features due to volcanic activity. The park is massive, and the wildlife is spread out, so you will need to take some time to see the wildlife and fully appreciate this national park. Walking safaris are a great way to take in the beautiful savannah scenery as well as see the Shetani Lava flow. This is estimated to have been from an eruption 200 years ago. It covers an area of 50km square and has interesting caves to explore such as the Shetani Cave.
The main focus of the park is on the Mzima Springs which produces 350 million litres of fresh water a day, and in fact provides most of Mombasa’s water supply. There is an underground hide here which provides a window into the antics of Hippos underwater as the water is so clear.

Tsavo West National Park Accommodation

Finch Hattons Camp
Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Ngulia Safari Lodge
Rhino valley lodge
Severin safari camp
Kitani Bandas
Lions bluff lodge in Lumo sanctuary
Sarova Taita hills lodge in Taita hills sanctuary
Sarova Saltlick lodge in Taita hills sanctuary
Voyager ziwan in a private santuary

Climate
The Tsavo West National Park has a moderate climate as it is located close to the equator. The temperatures range between 20 and 30 °C. There are two wet seasons, the long rains between March and April and the short rains between November and December.