How big is Tsavo West National Park?

Tsavo West National Park Size: Area, Landscape, and Key Facts.

How big is Tsavo West National Park? Whenever tourists think about a safari trip to Kenya, what usually comes to mind is the endless scenery of land meeting sky. The Tsavo West National Park represents this kind of setting. It covers an astonishingly huge area of 9,065 square kilometres (about 3,500 square miles). It is helpful to consider the scale of Tsavo West when one considers the fact that Tsavo West is already bigger than several smaller nations and almost four times the area of Luxembourg. Tsavo West comprises half of the greater Tsavo conservation area, an ecosystem covering more than 22,000 sq. kilometres, which is almost 4% of the total land mass of Kenya.

Tsavo: The Story of Two Giants, Tsavo West and Tsavo East.

Tsavo began as one park but was eventually cut into two by the Nairobi to Mombasa highway and Lunatic Express railway line. Although Tsavo East is bigger than its counterpart with a surface area of about 13,000 square kilometres, Tsavo West has been referred to as the rougher and more varied “young brother”.

Tsavo East is known for its flat savannah and the Yatta Plateau, but Tsavo West is an amalgamation of volcanic hills, craters, and lush water sources covering an expansive area of 9,065 km². The expansive land area means that, despite being a top tourist attraction, Tsavo West is rarely crowded since there is a lot of space for visitors in an environment referred to as exclusive.

Diversity of the Landscape.

Because of the sheer size of Tsavo West, there is a wide diversity of landscapes existing in one park. The northern part of the national park has the Chyulu Hills, and also the area has volcanic landforms such as the Shetani Lava Flow, a massive black landscape of about 50 square kilometres. The closer one gets to the middle of the park, the landscape gradually changes to open plains and acacia forests, offering an ideal environment for the iconic “red” elephants of the park.

In the south, the park stretches towards the border of Tanzania, where the expansive Lake Jipe offers a gleaming source of fresh water. The park’s extensive size means that it functions as a link between the northern and southern migration corridors of East Africa.

Strategic Significance of an Area of Such Extensive Size.

The vastness of Tsavo West is not simply an environmental issue but a practical necessity when it comes to the existence of the large animals found in Africa. Large animals like the African elephant and the black rhino need vast territories to find sustenance through changing seasons. These animals can express themselves naturally within the 9,065 sq. kilometres of space without always being on guard against human encroachment.

This land also allows for setting up the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, which is a “park within a park” of 90 sq. kilometres wherein rhinos reproduce under very strict security. Without the buffer zone provided by the rest of the park’s territory, protecting such sensitive species would be exponentially more difficult.

**Chyulu Hills, Tsavo West National Park, Kenya**

Planning Your Expedition Across the Vastness.

Best Time to Visit Tsavo West National Park.

Given its size, visiting Tsavo West is best done during the dry seasons (June to October and December to February). In this period of time, the thick brush starts thinning, and the wildlife starts moving towards perennial watering places like Mzima Springs, thus making it easier for one to spot them in the large landscape.

Where to Stay In Tsavo West National Park.

Being such a large area, the place where you decide to stay will determine the parts you can reach. Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is conveniently situated next to both the springs and the volcano areas, while Severin Safari Lodge is a quieter spot inside. Those who want to visit the south will find Lake Jipe Safari Camp a serene place near the Tanzanian border.

How to get to Tsavo West National Park.

Tsavo West National Park is located on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

By road: Entrance into the park is through the Mtito Andei gate, which is about 240 km from Nairobi, or through the Tsavo gate from the coastal region.

By air: Various airstrips like Kilaguni Airstrip and Finch Hattons Airstrip provide daily flights to and from Nairobi, Mombasa, and Entebbe Airport.

By rail: The Madaraka Express Train provides the quickest and most beautiful route to and from either Nairobi or Mombasa.