Tsavo East National Park is a breathtaking place to see wildlife. It’s a huge, semi-arid wilderness populated by elephants, sometimes in large groups the red Tsavo dust, and special lions. Tsavo’s wild and sunlit plains host other highlights, from cheetahs on the hunt to species such as the main track through the park, it can feel like a real adventure.
Wildlife
Tsavo East is home to four of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo). Although the park officially has rhinos, the species hasn’t been here in years. The park has elephants, and you’ll commonly find them with a reddish appearance from the unique red soil of the area. Tsavo is also famous for its maleness lions.
SCENERY
If you stay close to the park’s main Thoroughfare, you’ll experience barren plains, grassland, and semi-arid shrub. The plains on either side of Aruba Dam can be good for cheetahs. A slight detour brings into play the Kanderi Swamp, popular for its elephants, and the Via River with lush riverine forests. nearby, Mudanda Rock, a towering rock formation, offers sweeping views from the summit. The wild, croc-filled Galena River runs through the north.
Activities
The only two activities permitted in Tsavo East National Park are wildlife viewing and birding, both of which you’ll most likely enjoy on a guided game drive. Self-guided game drives are possible in theory, although they’re not very common in Kenya.
Weather & Climate
Conditions stay hot and dry throughout the year at Tsavo East, with the exception of the park’s higher altitudes where it gets progressively cooler as you head up the hills. The Wet season November-May gets particularly hot, especially during the break between the rains at year’s end and during the later long rains. The Dry season June to October brings a little relief from the heat.
Best time to visit
Tsavo East dos not always look its best in the Dry season June to October, when the sky is hazy from the dust, but this is the best time to spot animals. The dry, hot months of January and February are also good. the grass is much shorter than in the Wet season November to May, so the wildlife is less easily concealed behind the vegetation. And, of course getting wet is not an issue
