Tsavo West National Park, Kenya
"Full of wild beasts, such as rhinoceros, buffaloes and elephants" , unknown missionary's diary, 1848.
Later in 1900 the notorious "Man Eaters of Tsavo", man-eating lions preyed on workers building the great Railway in 1900. The carriage from which the lions pulled a traveler and ate him is on display at the Nairobi Railway Museum.
Tsavo West National Park has important historic connections as well - battleground in World War I where British and German troops battled for supremacy.
The wildlife park, located off the main Nairobi-Mombassa road is relatively easily accessible. It offers splendid views with diverse habitats ranging from mountains, river forests, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. It borders the southern Serengeti plains in Tanzania.
Wildlife: leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile and small mammals including mongoose, hyrax, dik dik and the nocturnal porcupine.
It is an excellent park for visitors who enjoy walking, offering a number of nature trails and the opportunity to explore the Chaimu volcanic crater. Guides are available. Mzima Springs is a star attraction, a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos. Chyulu Hills National Park is an extension of Tsavo West National Park. The Chyulus are a volcanic mountain range with a mix of cones and barren lava flows, of which the most interesting is Shetani, meaning "Devil" in Kiswahili. Game often seen in this area: buffalo, zebra, giraffe, oryx, lion, leopard and numerous bird and plant species. The park offers a number of activities: horse riding, hiking, camping, archaeological and geological safaris with caves to explore and fantastic views across the Amboseli and Tsavo plains.
Tsavo West National Park Key Facts
* Altitude 500 - 6000ft.
* Area 9,065 sq. kms
* Distance from Nairobi 240 kms
* Cave & Geological exploration: shetani lava flow & caves
* Excellent bird watching opportunities: over 600 species
* Mzima springs - Underwater hippos
* Best views of Mount Kilimanjaro
* Chyulu Hills National Park extension of Tsavo West National Park
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