Tsavo West Hidden Gems
Hidden Gems in Tsavo West National Park.
Tsavo West Hidden Gems: Tsavo West National Park is one of the most fascinating safari places in Africa, stretching all over southeastern Kenya. Although most of the visitors come to see the traditional big five, by digging deeper into the land, they find a rainbow of untold landscapes, including crystal springs and volcanic flows, as well as mysterious craters and silent lakes not known to many travellers but unforgettable.
In contrast to other nearby parks where the game drive is the order of the day, Tsavo West National Park is a reward for exploring the untrodden route, where fire, water and time have sculpted the landscapes, and wildlife and wilderness intersect dramatically.
Mzima Springs
The most outstanding mystery in the park is, perhaps, the most acclaimed living miracle of nature, Mzima Springs. In this case, rains that started their journey way back in the Chyulu Hills so many decades ago, after draining through porous volcanic rock, spring forth in a torrent in the form of clear, cool springs containing over 250 million litres of water daily, creating a green oasis in the dry savannah.
The springs consist of hippos and crocodiles, although the most outstanding feature is the underwater viewing chamber. Through the window of the thick glass, the visitors observe life under the surface: hippos resting in deep pools, fish busy in the sun with the light, and turtles sailing by. It is a rather personal animal experience, which is uncommon in any safari setting.
The springs are surrounded by birds: kingfishers, herons, and weavers colour and sing in the air, and this makes the location an excellent birding and photography destination.
Shetani Lava Flows
Shetani is a Kiswahili devil, and this scenery, 8 km of rough scars of black volcanic rock, does resemble the other world. Being created as a result of an eruption a few centuries ago, the flows cut through the plains of Tsavo West like frozen lava, a venue where the ancient wrath of the earth is in constant show.
Going to the flows makes one feel like they are on a different planet. There is hardly a safari park as unbelievable in terms of geological contrast: the lava fields scattered out of golden grasslands and broken rocks, which gather the sunshine at dawn and twilight. Guided Kenya tours are the best place to go and take photos and get geological satisfaction, but even a drive alongside the flows provides incomparable scenes.
Close by are the Shetani Caves, narrow and dark crevices cut by the same forces as old as the earth. These caves are very fascinating to explore, as they have spikes of stones and unnatural shadows, and even though in some cases hyenas take shelter in these caves, most visitors are more excited about the adventure rather than frightened.
Chaimu Crater
Chaimu Crater is another secret that is located not far away from lava flows. This dormant volcanic cone suddenly rises out of the plains and forms a magnificent panoramic outlook as well as a difficult hiking expedition.
The ascent to the summit is neither official nor busy; thus, it is unique in a way: you get the impression that you have found a spot not many other people have. The panoramas at the rim are across the plains of the park, and on clear days, one can see the distant Chyulu Hills and even Mount Kilimanjaro.
And the silence which now prevails is deep, interrupted only by the wind and the cries of birds of prey that circle the thermals. The view of the sunrise and sunset is a common thing there, and it is also the perfect place for a photographer to have a wonderful time capturing the light of the sun on a landscape that is absolutely wild.
Lake Jipe
Lake Jipe, which is located on the southern side of the park, is a soothing and very thought-provoking lake that should be included among the attractions of the park by the bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Jipe has a rich life despite being smaller than other lake ecosystems. Herons, African fish eagles, pelicans and black skimmers are usually found here, as the shallow water is a favourite of the elephants and antelopes to graze and drink.
It is an ideal place to visit after spending a morning on game drives in the bush, as visitors can take boat trips around the lake into its reed-lined waterways or tour its wetlands on foot with a guide.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
The Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is one of the best success stories of Tsavo West. Black rhinos here were on the verge of local extinction because of the high rate of poaching; however, today they are safeguarded and are gradually on the verge of recovery thanks to the concerted efforts of conservation.
Tourists can do guided drives in the sanctuary and have a better opportunity of viewing these endangered species in their wild habitat, a rare safari experience in the continent of Africa.
The sanctuary is also a testament to the skimpy string of wildlife and man and how the issues of conservation can restore lost marvels to the edge of extinction.
The Poacher’s View
At an elevation of more than 1000 feet over the plains is the Poachers Lookout, which was previously used as a hunting tower and today serves as a spectacular viewpoint for the Kenya safari tourists. It is a mountain with vast views of the grasslands, riverine woodlands, and even the hills of Tsavo West.
There is a twofold heritage of the hill: a monument of the battle against poaching and the lesson of the strength of nature. It is now the quiet spot where one can see the elephants roaming below or the lions resting in the shade during sunset.
Night Drives and Bush Walks
Most of the safari parks will follow the daytime game drives approach, but night game drives and bush walks are offered at Tsavo West, giving a new face to the ecosystem. Crepuscular and nocturnal animals, from leopards stalking in the darkness to hyenas hunting down their food, are visible on headlamps and under starry skies.
Guided walks provide a sensory experience: hearing the rustle of unknown animals, walking on fresh spoor, and being able to discover smaller plant life and the tracks of the animals which people would often miss when driving.
Volcanoes, Water and Wildness.
The contrast between the landscapes and life is what makes Tsavo West National Park really unforgettable, not due to a single attraction but the juxtaposition of both. Lava wastelands are located next to clear springs, wood forests are replaced by open plains, and wildlife is found in loneliness and abundance.
Conclusion
Those who make the time to look outside the highways and by-roads are plunged into a geological philosophical marvel and silent beauty, where each turn brings another secret treasure to be discovered.
