Air Strips and Entrance Gates of Tsavo West National Park
Air Strips and Entrance Gates of Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park is one of the most popular and largest Kenya safari parks that provides a spectacular combination of scenery, wildlife, and history. The park is more than 9,000 square kilometres and thus requires strategic entry points and airstrips to enable visitors to access it. Depending on whether you are driving or flying into the park, it is important to know the location of park entrance gates and airstrips so as to plan your itinerary in an effective way. Tsavo West has various gates located along its borders and also has well-maintained airstrips that connect the park to major tourist destinations in Kenya, such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Amboseli.
Tsavo West, Main Entrance Gates
Mtito Andei Gate
Mtito Andei Gate is the main and most used gateway into Tsavo West National Park, especially to those visitors who are travelling along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway (A109). This gate is in the middle between the two cities and is a good place to begin a game drive in the northern sector of the park. It is also the main point of entry to administration since there are ticketing offices and ranger posts.
Chyulu Gate
Chyulu Gate is located on the northern border of the park, near the Chyulu Hills and is the most convenient gate to enter the park by visitors who come in through Amboseli National Park. It offers a beautiful access to Tsavo West, particularly for those who are undertaking an Amboseli and Tsavo West safari. The surrounding scenery in this area is green in the wet season and is are great birdwatching area.
Maktau Gate
Maktau Gate is located along the southeastern edge of Tsavo West and is a great alternative to tourists entering the park by road, either through the coastal city of Mombasa or the Taita Hills. This gate is not as busy and therefore is preferable to those travellers who do not wish to enter the park in a too-busy way.
Tsavo Gate
On the western side, this gate is found close to the town of Tsavo, and it is another gate that can be used to enter the park via the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. It is perfect for tourists who would like to visit the western and central areas of the park and not get through the more crowded northern section.
Air Strips of Tsavo West National Park
To accommodate the visitors who would want to save on travelling time or those who want to access Tsavo West directly via other parks, the park has a number of airstrips strategically positioned to cover various sectors of the park. Charter flights and scheduled safari services often use these airstrips.
Kamboyo Airstrip
It is among the most utilised airstrips in Tsavo West, and it is located near the Kamboyo Headquarters. It offers easy access to the north of the park with such attractions as Mzima Springs and the Shetani Lava Flow.
Kilaguni Airstrip
Kilaguni Airstrip is located near the renowned Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge and is the best choice of airstrip for guests who stay in the middle of Tsavo West. It is a maintained airstrip that has links to the Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Amboseli and the Kenyan coast.
Ziwani Airstrip
Ziwani Airstrip is located in the Ziwani area, where the scenic dam and birdlife are found. It is an easy point of entry for those who travel directly to Ziwani Safari Camp or those who are visiting the western limits of the park.
Lake Jipe Airstrip
This airstrip is on the southwestern border of Lake Jipe and is thus ideal for visitors who would have concentrated on the remote and less-visited regions of Tsavo West. It is a serene place to begin the wilder adventure in the park.
Kasigau Airstrip
Kasigau Airstrip is situated in the Kasigau region bordering Tsavo East. It is mainly utilised in conservation and privately managed safari activities, although it can be utilised as an alternative to special itineraries.
Travel Tips about Airstrips and Gates
Booking flights early is recommended (in case you will be using charter services) because schedules may be few.
Check your pick-up with your lodge or tour operator-most have free transfers to the airstrip.
Bring IDs and park entry tickets; they can easily be checked at the gates and airstrips by the rangers.
Remember park hours of operation; the gates normally open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM.
You need to plan your route depending on where your accommodation is located so that you do not have to travel unnecessarily through the vast distances in the park.
Conclusion
Tsavo West National Park airstrips and entrance gates are more than just entry points, as they are the gateway into one of the most diverse safari landscapes in Kenya. Depending on which gate you come in through, the bustling Mtito Andei Gate, the picturesque Chyulu Gate or flying in to Kilaguni Airstrip, all entrances present a spectacular welcome to the spectacular landscape and rich wildlife in the park. Being familiar with the whereabouts of these points and the relationship they have with the major attractions will enable you to make the best of your time in Tsavo West.
