Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park is the dramatic and diverse twin of Tsavo East — a spectacular 9,065 square kilometre wilderness of volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear springs, ancient lava flows and lush riverine forests in southeastern Kenya that offers one of the most visually stunning and geologically fascinating safari experiences in all of Africa. Where Tsavo East is defined by its vast open red plains, Tsavo West surprises and captivates with an extraordinary variety of habitats and landscapes that change dramatically with every kilometre driven — creating a safari experience of constant wonder and discovery.
The jewel of Tsavo West is undoubtedly the legendary Mzima Springs — a series of crystal-clear natural pools fed by underground water filtering through ancient volcanic rock from the Chyulu Hills, producing an extraordinary 50 million gallons of pure fresh water daily. Mzima Springs is one of East Africa’s most magical natural wonders — a lush, emerald oasis rising improbably from the surrounding dry scrubland, teeming with hippos, Nile crocodiles, barbel fish and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. An underwater viewing chamber built into the largest pool allows visitors to watch hippos and fish moving gracefully beneath the surface in a wildlife encounter of pure enchantment found nowhere else in Kenya.
The Shetani Lava Flow is one of Tsavo West’s most dramatic and otherworldly natural landmarks — a vast field of jet black volcanic lava stretching across the landscape as far as the eye can see, erupted from the Chyulu Hills approximately 200 years ago and still largely devoid of vegetation. Walking across the Shetani Lava Flow with an armed ranger is one of Kenya’s most unique and unforgettable bush experiences — a surreal moonscape of twisted black rock rising from the African scrubland that feels more like another planet than a Kenyan national park. The name Shetani means devil in Swahili — named by the local Maasai community who believed the lava flow was the work of evil spirits emerging from the earth.
The Chyulu Hills, rising dramatically along Tsavo West’s western boundary, form one of the world’s youngest mountain ranges and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a rolling landscape of ancient volcanic cones draped in lush cloud forest and open grassland that provides a stunning green backdrop to the park’s wildlife areas. The hills are home to Kenya’s longest lava tube cave system, extraordinary endemic plants and a rich diversity of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions and the elusive bongo antelope.
Tsavo West’s wildlife is exceptional and diverse. Large elephant herds, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, giraffes and all manner of antelope species roam freely across the park’s varied landscapes. The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary within the park protects a growing population of critically endangered black rhinos within a specially fenced area — one of Kenya’s most important rhino conservation projects. Ngulia Lodge, perched dramatically on a cliff edge overlooking a floodlit waterhole, delivers some of the most thrilling nocturnal wildlife viewing in Kenya as elephants, buffaloes and rhinos gather below in the darkness.
Tsavo West is also one of Kenya’s premier birdwatching destinations, with over 600 recorded species including the magnificent African crowned eagle, Taita falcon, pel’s fishing owl and an extraordinary concentration of migrant species passing through the Ngulia Hills during October and November — one of East Africa’s most important bird migration spectacles, attracting ornithologists from across the world.
Perfectly positioned between Nairobi and the Mombasa coast, Tsavo West combines beautifully with Tsavo East, Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and the white sand beaches of Diani or Watamu for the ultimate southeastern Kenya safari and beach holiday. Savanna Sojourns Safaris designs bespoke Tsavo West experiences that reveal every extraordinary corner of this magnificent and endlessly surprising park.