TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK

Tsavo East National Park covers an area of about 13,000 km2, 40% of Kenya's parks' total area. This vast park lies in low semi arid country at the Eastern edge of the inland plateau, North of the main Mombasa-Nairobi Highway. Much of the Park is open country with scattered rocky ridges and outcrops. Due to its size, the park is one of the world's wildlife and biodiversity strongholds. The Yatta plateau, a long flat topped lava ridge runs along the Western boundary of the Park. Beneath it flows the Athi River which joins the Tsavo River just above the Lugard falls, to become the Galana River, a permanent river that cuts right across the park. The seasonal Tiva and Voi rivers are important features of the Northern and Southern sectors respectively. There are scattered seasonal pools, swamps and dams but relatively few sources of permanent water. One of the great spectacles of the park is the Mudanda rock between Voi and Manyani. This 1 1/2 km long outcrop is a water catchments area which supplies a natural dam at its base. In the dry season hundreds of elephants come to drink and bathe here.  The weather in Tsavo is pleasant most of the year. The long rains generally come in March - May and the short rains from October - December. The following are major attractions in Tsavo East.