From the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows, Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness. The savannah ecosystem comprises open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher's Lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. Tsavo West offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world and attractions include elephant, rhino, Hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, Buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.
June to October : Dry Season
Pros:
Cons:
November to May: Wet Season
Pros:
Cons:
Tsavo West is best visited in the dry months from June to October and January to February, the same as Tsavo East. Although the park can be visited any time of year, wildlife viewing during the height of the Wet season (November, April, and May) is not recommended. The vegetation is dense in the wet months, making it more difficult to see animals, which tend to spread out anyway due to the abundance of water.
Wildlife densities in Tsavo West aren’t that great, but everything is there. There are many elephants, and they are often covered in red dust, giving them an eerie appearance. The park is also known for its maneless lions and big herds of buffalo. Despite poaching in recent years, black rhinos have been on the comeback in Tsavo since the late ’80s when they were close to being locally extinct. The drive-through rhino sanctuary increases your chances of spotting one.
Similar to Tsavo East, Tsavo West NP has a climate characterized by hot and dry conditions. During the day, expect temperatures around 29°C/84°F, while 18°C/64°F is typical at night. Cool mornings mean warm clothing is a good idea for early game drives. Tsavo West’s altitude varies from 419 to 1,677m (1,375 to 5,502ft). Temperatures fall by roughly 6.5°C for every 1,000m you ascend (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft), so there are wide climatic differences within the park. Rainfall peaks in April and November.
From the sight of fifty million gallons of crystal clear water gushing out of from the under parched lava rock that is the Mzima Springs to the Shetani lava flows, Tsavo West is a beautiful, rugged wilderness. The savannah ecosystem comprises open grasslands, scrublands, and Acacia woodlands, belts of riverine vegetation and rocky ridges including the Poacher's Lookout where visitors can see the teeming herds in the plains below. Tsavo West offers some of the most magnificent game viewing in the world and attractions include elephant, rhino, Hippos, lions, cheetah, leopards, Buffalos, diverse plant and bird species including the threatened corncrake and near threatened Basra Reed Warbler.
Tsavo West is best visited in the dry months from June to October and January to February, the same as Tsavo East. Although the park can be visited any time of year, wildlife viewing during the height of the Wet season (November, April, and May) is not recommended. The vegetation is dense in the wet months, making it more difficult to see animals, which tend to spread out anyway due to the abundance of water.
June to September:
The coolest months are also full of sunshine, but very little rain.
The ‘short rains’ followed by the ‘long rains’ comprise the Wet season. In between these two wetter periods is a drier stretch which falls in the months of January and February.
Tsavo West is considered a very safe destination. This is generally the case with Kenyan parks and reserves as they do not usually suffer from crime. However, it’s always good to exercise safety precautions in the cities and towns between parks.
Seek your doctor’s advice regarding vaccinations that you will need before a trip to Kenya. The main health concern for visitors is malaria. It is advisable to take antimalarials as well as other precautions, such as covering up exposed skin in the evening and using mosquito repellent (with at least 30% DEET). If there isn’t a mosquito net in your room, it is advisable to spray it before bedtime. Malaria risk is worst in the peaks of the rainy seasons from April to May and October to November.
Similar to Tsavo East, Tsavo West NP has a climate characterized by hot and dry conditions. During the day, expect temperatures around 29°C/84°F, while 18°C/64°F is typical at night. Cool mornings mean warm clothing is a good idea for early game drives. Tsavo West’s altitude varies from 419 to 1,677m (1,375 to 5,502ft). Temperatures fall by roughly 6.5°C for every 1,000m you ascend (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft), so there are wide climatic differences within the park. Rainfall peaks in April and November.