TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK
Tsavo East National Park covers an area of about
12,000 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 road and railway. Much of the park is level, 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 catchment area which supplies
a natural dam at its base. In the dry season, hundreds of el
ephants come to
drink and bathe here.
Location:
Southeast Kenya, inland from Mombasa; Taita District of Coast Province.
Climate:
The weather in Tsavo is pleasant most of the year. There are two rain
seasons. The long rains generally come in March - May and the short rains
from October - December.
