Tsavo National Park is the largest park in Kenya. For administrative purposes Tsavo National Park was divided into two parts - Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The division follows the Nairobi–Mombasa railway and road passing through this area.
Here are some interesting historical facts about Tsavo:
 ‘Tsavo’ means ‘Place of Slaughter’ in the Akamba language – a reference to early years when Masai, who were renowned for taking no prisoners, launched periodic cattle raids on the Akamba and Waliangulus tribes, who used the area as a hunting ground prior to gazettement.
Dr. Krapf journeyed on foot through this area in 1848 crossing the Tsavo River on his way to Kitui. He was the first European to see Mt. Kenya.
Construction of the railway reached Tsavo River in 1898. During construction of the bridge lions terrorized the workers, killing over 130 people before being killed by Col. Patterson. The lions came to be known as the ‘Man eaters of Tsavo’.
During World War I (1914-1918) British forces built fortresses along Tsavo river to counter threats from invading German forces from Tanganyika (present Tanzania) – whose intention was to blow up the Tsavo River bridge which was vital to British Communication.
TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
FACT FILE
* Altitude: 200 m – 1000 m
* Area: 11,747 km2
* Distance from Nairobi: 333 km
* Airstrip: 16 airstrips (4 graded)
* Opened: April 1948
HIGHLGHTS
* Spectacular scenery:
Galana River, Lugards Falls, Aruba Dam & Mudanda Rock
* Unrivalled bird watching: resident & migratory flocks
* Fantastic scenery: lakes, tarns, glaciers & peaks
* Game viewing: lion, cheetah, hyena, ‘red’ elephants
* Easy access from the coast
LOGDES & CAMPS: Voi Wildlife Lodge, Galdessa Camp
Tsavo East is one of Kenya's oldest and largest National Parks: covering approximately 40% of the total area of all of Kenya's National Parks. Its beautiful landscape and proximity to the coast make it a popular and rewarding safari destination.
LANDSCAPE
Tsavo East is accredited as one of the world's leading bio-diversity strongholds, bushy grassland and open plains alternating with savannah and semi-arid acacia scrub and woodlands. Green swathes cross the park where the river banks give rise to lush vegetation. North of Galana is a true wilderness.
With its fabulous light and unbelievable views the park is a paradise for photographers, in particular Mudanda Rock, which is a rock outcrop about 1.6 km long. The dam at the base attracts animals to come for water. Visitors can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze as well as view wildlife at the base.
Enjoy more stunning views at the Yatta plateau, which is about 290km long and one of the worlds longest lava flows. Lugards Falls, a series of rapids on the Galana River, are remarkable for the shaped water-worn rocks. Accompanied by KWS Wildlife Rangers one can walk down to the river on foot to get a good look at the rapids while trying to spot the crocodiles, and to follow the river bed for a short while. The Aruba Dam was built in 1952 across the Voi River. The dam attracts many animals and especially water birds can be observed here.
GAME & BIRDS
Game includes: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, crocodile, waterbuck, kudu, gerenuk, and zebra; Aruba Hunter's Hartebeest can be seen with its Lyre-shaped horns.
Home to some of the largest herds in Kenya, the elephants glow red after dust baths, blowing the vivid red dust through their trunks over their bodies.
About 500 bird species have been recorded including ostrich, some migratory kestrels and buzzards which stop at Tsavo East during their long flight south.
Read on for more information about Tsavo West.
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