Tsavo West National Park covers 7065 km², approximately 30% of Kenya’s area under parks, and contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife and a mountainous scenic landscape. The park is a massive area of savanna stretching from Mtito Andei, along the Mombassa-Nairobi road and south to the Tanzanian border. The North Eastern boundary along the Highway adjoins Tsavo East National Park, but Tsavo West has more various topography and a more diverse array of habitats than its neighbor.

The park’s habitats contain open plains alternating with Savannah bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops and more extensive ranges and isolated hills; belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets and on the Chyulu hills, mountain forest.

There are numerous rocky outcrops and ridges and part of the park, towards the Chyulu Hills, is of recent volcanic origin with lava flows and ash cones including the Shetani lava flow, an example of a recent volcano.

In the far south western corner on the Kenya Tanzania border is Lake Jipe, part of which is in the park. This v attractive lake is fed by runoff from Mt. Kilimanjaro and the North Pare mountains.

At Mzima Springs, in the North of the park, water that has filtered underground from the Chyulu Hills gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools.

Location:
The park is situated along South Eastern Kenya, inland from Mombassa, and the altitude ranges between 200 – 1000m.

Climate:
Temperature ranges from 20 – 30o C and rainfall from 200mm – 700mm. Two ran seasons: Long rains – March/April & Short rains – Nov/December.

Access;
The park can be accessed through routes like Chyulu Gate from Ambos Eli and Mitt Andei Gate from Nairobi (240 km) and Mombassa. Visitors from Mombassa also use Tsavo Gate near Manyani. The park can also be reached via Taveta-Voi road through Maktau, Ziwani and Jipe gates. It also has an Airstrip that make it easy visitors who are likely to use the following Gates as there entrance;Kamboyo, kilaguni, Tsavo gate, jip, kasigau, Finch Hottons, Ziwani and Maktau airstrips are in good condition.

Attractions and Activities;

Recent volcanoes, lava flows and caves with potential for geological and cave exploration, and hiking. Mzima Springs & underwater hippo watching Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Jipe, Mt. Kilimanjaro, elephant, rhino, diverse bird and plant species. Activities of the park are; Boat excursion at Lake Jipe; Bird watching at Lake Jipe; Annual bird ringing at Ngulia lodge; Hill and rock climbing at Chaimu and Ngulia Hills.

Accommodation facilities include:(Ngulia Lodge; Kilaguni Serena Lodge; Severing Safari Camp/Lodge; Finch Hattons) Campsites: Lake Jipe (public); Kamboya (public); Royal Little (special); Simba (special); Kenge (special); Kudu (special) and others are; Kamboyo guesthouse, Tsavo West Information Visitor Centre. Banda’s (Lake Jipe; Kitani.