Tsavo West National park
Represents about 30% of Kenya’s park area and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and scenic mountain landscape. The park is a vast expanse of savannah stretching from Mtito Andei along the Mombasa – Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The north-eastern boundary along the highway adjoins Tsavo East National Park; but Tsavo West has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbour.
Chyulu Hills
There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges. Part of the park towards the Chyulu Hills (famous for challenging motor rallies), is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of recent volcano.In the far south-west corner, on the Kenya – Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which is in the park. This attractive lake is fed by run-off water from Mount Kilimanjaro and the North Pare Mountains.At Mzima Springs, in the north of the park, water that has filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.Major Attractions –Recent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential for geological and cave exploration and hiking; Mzima Springs and underwater hippo and fish watching; Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary; Lake Jipe; Mount Kilimanjaro; elephants; diverse bird and plant species.
Wildlife
Leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, plains game, crocodiles, mongooses, hyraxes, dik-dik, lesser kudus and porcupines. Prolific birdlife with 600 recoded species. Activities Boat excursion on Lake Jipe; bird watching at Lake Jipe; annual bird ringing at Ngulia Lodge; hill and rock climbing at Chaimu and Ngulia Hills.
