Tsavo National Park
The largest national park in East Africa (21,000 sq. km). The whole territory is divided into two parts by the road between Nairobi and Mombasa: West Tsavo and East Tsavo, adjoining the Taita Hills Private Game Reserve. Eastern Tsavo is larger than Western and drier, so it is visited less. The Tsavo and Athi rivers flow through the park. In the northern part of West Tsavo there are many lakes with crystal clear water, which are fed by the underground spring Mzima. Palm trees, tamarind trees and reeds grow around the lakes. The animal world is concentrated here: elephants, lions, hyenas, leopards, steppe lynx, kudu, gerenuk, oryx. Crocodiles and hippos live in the lakes. Park vegetation: giant baobabs, acacias with garlands of pink and white flowers, desert rose, pink fuchsia. One-day and two-day safaris from Mombasa are organized to the Taita Hills Reserve.
According to 3rjewelry, Tsavo was founded in 1948. It is located in the south of the country and covers an area of 20,800 sq. km. A railway connecting the coast with the central part passes through its territory. In the last century, the landscapes of Western Tsavo were greatly changed. The main reason is the huge population of elephants. Because of their large numbers and weight, they have turned groves of trees into pastures. In 1960, their numbers increased to 50,000. Over time, poaching reduced their number to 5,000. At the same time, the white rhino population also decreased, from 7,000 in 1969 to 100 in 1981. But thanks to measures taken today, poaching has largely reduced its scale. Western Tsavo occupies an area of 9 thousand square meters. km. Its magnificent landscapes combine rocky mountains, uplands, plains and lakes, on the banks of which grow reeds and tamarind trees. On the territory of the national park there is the Ngulia mountain range, the Idave plain and volcanic upland, created by the Great African Rift, the mountains of Kilimanjaro and Kenya. There are many lakes with crystal clear water in the northern part of West Tsavo.
They are fed by the Mzima Springs underground spring, which supplies drinking water to the city of Mombasa. The territory of Eastern Tsavo occupies 11 thousand square meters. km. Unlike the Western one, its landscapes are represented by bush thickets, arid plains, deserts and river systems. Oases grow along the rivers Ati, Tiva, Tsavo and Voi. These rivers are the main source of moisture in the territory. The Galana River flows to the south. Most of East Tsavo is occupied by the highland Yatta plain – the world’s largest frozen lava flow, stretching for 300 km in length. The fauna of Tsavo is diverse. Some species are sometimes difficult to see because of the tall grass, bushes and the large size of the area itself. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, steppe lynx, gerenuk, leopard and other species live here.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli is one of the oldest national parks in Kenya. It is located in the southwest of the country, just 220 km from Nairobi, next to the Tsavo National Parks and Mount Kilimanjaro. And covers an area of 392 sq. km. By Kenyan standards, a very small park – only 392 sq. Km) is one of the most beautiful places in the country thanks to Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m) visible in the distance.
Although the volcano is located in Tanzania, Amboseli offers the best view of its snow-capped peaks. In the hot part of the day, the volcano is hidden by clouds, but it appears in all its splendor at dusk and at sunrise.
Famous writers such as Hemingway and Ruark described these places in their adventure novels. Here began the legend of the Maasai tribe – recalcitrant, proud nomad warriors… This is one of the most visited and popular parks in Kenya.
Since 1948, millions of foreign guests, including Hollywood film companies, could not remain indifferent to the beauties of this area, especially from the majestic, extraordinarily beautiful view of Mount Kilimanjaro, from its mountain peaks receding and hiding in the clouds.
Amboseli National Park differs from other parks in Kenya with an abundance of elephants, such a number is not found in any other of the national parks. Here you have the opportunity to see huge herds of elephants, which calmly and leisurely, in front of your eyes, can walk along the road going into the distance in the savannah.
It is here that you can meet all the representatives of the magnificent “big five” of Africa: leopard, buffalo (there are several species), rhinoceros, elephant and lion. Also here you can see cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, gerenuks, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, Thompson’s gazelles and Grant’s gazelles. Many birds live in these places, among which the terrible marabou vulture – “bush scavenger”. Amboseli is the place to get the most classic African safari experience.