subject: Tsavo West Safari Tour & Lodge Camping Information [print this page] Tsavo West National Park Kenya was established in 1948 and forms part of the Tsavo National Park that includes Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park and the Chyulu Hills. It is situated about 240km south east of Nairobi and about 200km north of Mombasa on the main Nairobi to Mombasa highway.
Tsavo West stretches from Mtito Andei, along the Mombasa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border and consists of mostly semi-arid plains that are broken up with granite rock outcrops (kopjies) and lava fields, but also includes open plains, savannah bush, acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation, palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest. Tsavo West shares its North Eastern boundary along the Highway with Tsavo East National Park.
Tsavo West Kenya is home to all of Africa's Big 5 animals (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino) At Mzima Springs; there are Nile crocodile and hippo. Masai Giraffe, gerenuk, oryx, zebra and impala range through most of the park and you may also see Coke's hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, water buck, Steinbuck, Kirk's Dik Dik, Grant's gazelle and kingspringer. Primates include baboons and vervet monkeys. This is an area where there is malaria and it is recommended that you take the necessary precautions if you visit this area.
Mzima Springs - One of the main attractions in Tsavo West are the Mzima Springs, located 48km from the Mtito Andei Gate and close to both Kilaguni Lodge and Kitani Bandas. The two large pools, connected by a rush of rapids are replenished with two hundred and twenty million liters of crystal-clear water every day, from the underground streams stemming from the lava the Chyulu Hills, 40-50 kilometers away. This fresh water at Mzima forms a haven to a huge variety of wildlife including hippo and crocodiles, but is an important source of drinking water for many animals including elephants, lion, gazelles, zebra and giraffe.
The upper (or long) pool is the favoured hippo wallow, while the crocodiles have retreated to the broader expanse of water lower down. There is a car park at Mzima and you are permitted to walk down to the water following a path, from here you may be rewarded with a sighting of animals coming down to the waters edge to drink as well as that of Hippos in the water. It is also worth walking around this lower pool where, if you're stealthy, you have a good chance of seeing crocodiles, just make sure there's not one on the bank behind you.
Chaimu Crater- Just west of the springs is the Chaimu Crater, this volcanic crater is less than 200 years old and composed mainly from black coke. It is well worth the tour and you can climb by foot. Animals to look out for in this area include klipspringer and the lesser Kudu antelope.
Lake Jipe - Located in the southwestern corner of Tsavo West is Lake Jipe. 10km long and 3km wide it has huge reed beds and although there is game present, it is the rich bird life that is most impressive here. Pied Kingfishers, palmnut vultures, black herons and African skimmers, Purlpe Gallinule, Black Herons, the Pygmy Goose and the Lesser Jacana are all found in this area around the lake.
Tsavo West has a good selection of accommodation including includes luxury lodges; safari tented camps as well as public camping campsites.
Tsavo Safari Lodges
Finch Hatton's Tented Camp - tented lodge is located in Tsavo West, and is known for its quality and comfort. The lodge has 35 furnished tents, a restaurant, lounge and bar areas. Finch Hattons tented camp is not fenced, and wildlife may be seen in and around camp.
Kilaguni Serena Lodge - The first lodge built in a Kenyan national park, it is constructed from volcanic stone. There are about 55 rooms Mt. Kilimanjaro as do the restaurant, bar and observation decks face.
Ngulia Lodge - Located on an escarpment near the rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West, Nguila Lodge was built in 1969 and has excellent views of the park. There are 52 rooms, all with ensuite bathroom and balcony.
Voyager Zawani Luxury Tented Camp - Located on the banks of a river on a private 30,000-acre farm on the western edge of Tsavo, with a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro, it offers easy access to the wild attractions of Tsavo West National Park. It has 25 tents with ensuite bathroom and private veranda facing the river.
Severin Safari Camp - A tented lodge not very far from Mzima Springs in f Tsavo West. Severin safari camp has 22 tents with ensuite bathrooms and private verandas. The main lodge has restaurant, bar, lounge with wireless Internet, gift shop, spa, swimming pool.
Camping at Tsavo National Park - There are 3 public campsites with water and toilet facilities only these include the Kamboyo Campsite (8 kms from Mtito Andei gate), Chyulu Campsite (1 km from Chyulu gate) and Lake Jipe Campsite (on the lakeshore). There are also a wide selection of "special" (private) campsites are available in the park that ones at Royal Little and Chyulu Gate.
Self Catering Accommodation
Lake Jipe Bandas - These are located on the lakeshore and consist of three cottages or "bandas", each with 2 single beds with nets, water, outdoor cooking area and kerosine lamps.
Kitani Bandas - The Kitani Safari Camp consists of 8 cottages, each with a double bedroom (2 single beds with bedding's and net), hot water, bathroom and WC plus an equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area.
Ngulia Self-service Bandas - has 6 self-catering cottages or "bandas", each with a double bedroom (2 single beds with bedding and nets), bathroom and WC plus a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor dining area.
Kamboyo Guest House - Located less than 10 kilometers from the park headquarters at the Mtito Andei gate.
by: Edwin Muriithi
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