Tsavo West covers an area of over 21,000 square kilometers. This park has some of the most dramatic scenery of all the Kenyan national parks, more so than Tsavo East which consists more of open savannahs. The landscape consists of volcanic hills, sweeping areas of savannah. Tsavo West has large populations of elephants, hippos, leopards and zebras. Lions are present too, but they are hard to spot. The information centre at Kilaguni lodge usually has up-to-date information on the whereabouts of lion and cheetah prides. At the Mzima Springs, there’s a pool full of hippos and crocodiles. Near the Ngulia Safari Lodge is also a hippo pool. Hippo and crocodile spotting is also possible by hiring a boat and getting on Lake Jipe, at the campsite there. The Chaimu Crater is a viewpoint high up, from where you have a stunning view over the park. Eagles, buzzards and falcons can be seen there flying over the park. Some 50 black rhinos, as well as large numbers of elephants and buffaloes, can be seen in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctury, which covers a fenced area of 105 square kilometres within the park
The presence of numerous scenic views in Tsavo West offers more than just animals. You can also enjoy bush walks, camping, hiking, and safari walks. Scrublands, open grasslands, belts of riverine vegetation, and Acacia woodlands fused with all manner of animals and birds make the park a must-visit for any tourist. Some animals easily spotted at the park include hippos, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, gazelles, zebras, crocodiles, and herds of African Elephants. Tsavo West homes a variety of wildlife, and also a black rhino sanctuary. So you are likely to see the critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros and the rest of the big five - the maneating maneless lions, giant elephants, and cape buffalos, leopards. Tall necks of the biggest giraffes in Africa, cute bushbabies, herds of hartebeest, and much more.
The best time to visit Tsavo West is in the dry season from July to September and December to March. These months provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities as the grass is short and the animals are drawn to water sources, especially to the river banks and watering holes in front of lodges. It is generally advised to avoid March to May, the long rainy season and October to November, the short rains. However, Tsavo West is a semi-arid climate, and rainfall is more infrequent than other parks, so this is a great park to choose if you are travelling on the cusp of the rainy season.
Tsavo West National Park has a climate characterized by hot and dry conditions. During the day, expect temperatures around 28°C/82°F, while 18°C/64°F is typical at night. Cool mornings mean warm clothing is a good idea for early game drives. Rainfall peaks in April and November.
Tsavo West offers one of the most exclusive game drive experiences in Kenya. Due to its vast size, you are unlikely to see any other vehicles when out in the bush. Home to all of the Big Five and many rare northern Kenya species, there are plenty of animals to spot. Tsavo West is slightly more challenging than Tsavo East and other national parks in Kenya due to low animal densities, thick shrubbery and dense woodland. However, experienced guides and drivers can increase your chances of finding wildlife, as they know all the best spots. Early morning and evening game drives are recommended, as wildlife is more active during these times. Tsavo West is also a great park to choose if you are travelling on the cusp of the rainy season. Due to its semi-arid climate, rainfall is infrequent, meaning roads and excursions are unlikely to be affected by the rains.
Tsavo West is situated in the southeast Kenya, 232km/144mi from Nairobi and 250km/155mi from Mombasa, and rough takes 4-6 hours driving. Driving to the reserve from Nairobi, Mombasa or another park is a good option depending on your itinerary. If coming from Nairobi, many choose to stop at Lake Nakuru National Park for a short game drive and picnic lunch. There are scheduled flights to Tsavo West from Nairobi Wilson Airport, and several other parks including Maasai Mara and Amboseli. There are also airstrips available for chartered flights.
Tsavo West National Park’s prolific birdlife features more than 400 recorded species. Ngulia Hills, one of the landmarks in the park, is situated along one of the world’s busiest avian migration routes. Bird ringers make an annual pilgrimage here between October and January. Ngulia is the site of Africa’s foremost bird-ringing project, which involves tagging to enable individual bird identification. More than 100 migrant and resident species have been ringed here, the most prolific being marsh warbler, river warbler, red-backed shrike, thrush nightingale and common whitethroat.
