Tsavo East National Park: “the Theatre of the Wild”
Tsavo East is famous for Man Easters lions that attacked and almost brought to a halt the construction of Kenya-Uganda Railway. It is also home to Lugards falls, Yatta Plateau, Large herds of elephants Rhinos, Hirola (Hunters Hartebeest) and other wildlife.
Tsavo National Park with an area of 21,812 Km2 is the largest Park in Kenya. In May 1948 Tsavo National Park was divided into East and West for administrative purposes. The two Parks are divided by Nairobi–Mombasa railway /road.
Parks Sceneries and Attraction:
• Yatta plateau – It is about 290Km long and is one of the world’s longest lava flows.
• Lugards Falls on the Galana river – This is not a true falls but a series of rapids. Visitors can walk down to the river to view the rapids.
• Mudanda rock; This is a long rock outcrop that is about 1.6Km long. There is a dam at the base.
• Animals can be seen drinking. Visitors can walk along the rock and enjoy a cool breeze as well as view wildlife at the base.
• Aruba Dam – was built in 1952 across the Voi river. The dam attracts many animals and water birds can be seen at this dam.
• Tsavo/Athi rivers confluence – when the two rivers join they form the Galana river.
• Large herds of elephants Rhinos, Hirola (Hunters Hartebeest) and other wildlife.
Historical facts and details of the park:
• Captain Lugards a European explorer passed through the area on his way to Uganda and had a drop over at the Lugards Falls area.
• During the World War I (1914-1918) British forces built fortresses along Tsavo river to counter threats from invading German forces from Tanganyika (present Tanzania) – whose intention was to blow up the Tsavo river bridge that was vital to British Communication.
• The Waliangulu and Kamba tribes used it as a hunting ground prior to gazettement.
• Dr. Krapf journeyed on foot through this area in 1848 crossing the Tsavo River on his way to Kitui – first European to see Mt. Kenya.
• Construction of the railway reached Tsavo river in 1898. During the construction of the bridge Lions (Man eaters of Tsavo) terrorized the workers, killing over 130 people before being killed by Col. Patterson.
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.
