Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park.

Tsavo West National Park is one of the most angelic conservation areas of Kenya situated in the southern part. It is home to abundant wildlife species scattered over 9065 square kilometers, and  the park is part of the larger conservation area of the Tsavo National Park which is divided into 2 by the A109 highway connecting Nairobi to Mombasa. The conservation area is most famous for its large numbers of red elephants who love to play in the red soil ant molds dotted in the park, the Mzima hot springs, and the Shetani Lava flow. The national park was established in the 1948 as a way of protecting animal species that call this home and is being managed by the Kenya wildlife service.

See: Tsavo East National Park

Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park is abundant there are about 70 species of mammals that have been recorded in the national park and over 500 species of birds, it is one of the best places to see the so-called big five of the wilderness ( African elephants, African buffaloes, Rhinos, leopards and Lions), other popular sights of animals including Zebras, waterbucks, elands, hyrax, crocodiles, bushbucks, hyrax, mongoose, wildebeest, hyenas, cheetahs, fringe-eared oryx, greater and lesser Kudus, to mention a few, some of these animal species are easy to spot while others are rare to see for example the black rhinos and cheetahs.

Tsavo West National Park is also infamously known for the Tsavo man eaters. The Tsavo man-eaters were a pair of lions that gained worldwide attention in 1898 for attacking and killing workers building the Kenya-Uganda Railway. The attacks took place near the Tsavo River, in what is now Tsavo West National Park. Over several months, the lions killed dozens of people, with reports ranging from 35 confirmed deaths to over 100 suspected. The killings caused panic and halted construction until British officer Lt. Col. John Patterson managed to track and shoot both lions. What made these lions unusual was their size and the fact that they lacked manes, which sparked interest among scientists. Their skins and skulls were eventually sent to the Field Museum in Chicago, where they remain on display today. This incident remains one of the most well-known examples of man-eating behavior in lions and adds a unique historical layer to the park’s identity.

The Mzima Spring is one of the most beloved wildlife spots in Tsavo, famous for its hippos and Nile crocodiles that call it home. Because Mzima is quite isolated, these animals rely heavily on its waters—other water sources are just too far away for them to reach by land. At night, the hippos roam the nearby savannah to feed, but during the day, they come back to the cool pools of Mzima. Their presence actually helps support a whole ecosystem. When they defecate in the water, their dung acts like a natural fertilizer. This nourishment allows trees like date palms, raffia palms, waterberries, and figs to grow right along the water’s edge, their roots soaking up the nutrients beneath the surface. These trees then provide tasty fruits for animals like vervet monkeys and many different birds. Beneath the water, tiny creatures feed on the hippo dung, and in turn, fish and cormorants feed on those smaller invertebrates, creating a rich and lively food chain.

Wildlife in Tsavo National Park includes several bird species, for example, the African fin foot, black-faced sand grouse, fischers starling, common white throat, river warbler, martial eagles, African harrier hawks, ostriches, red-backed shrike,falcon, Abyssinian ground horn bill, golden palm weaver, pied kingfisher, eagles owls, guinea fowls, eastern black oriole, to mention a few. The birds are best experienced during the wet season when the park receives migratory species. To enjoy a great birding experience, it is wise to bring binoculars and good cameras.

Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park is best seen while doing tourism activities which include game drives, these bring you closer to wildlife species through the well-distributed trails of the national park, game drives are conducted in the morning, afternoon and evening times when the trails of the park are much drier and easier to access. The park is a haven of birds which are best searched for on guided nature walks, which are led through by an experienced guide from park authorities.

Wildlife in Tsavo West National Park is best seen during the dry season during the months of December-February and June- September, which is also referred to as a peak tourism season. Expect to view lots of wildlife species together with other travelers in the park. What to pack for your Kenyan Safari to the Tsavo West National Park includes long-sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellants, safari shoes, sunscreen, warm clothes for the wet season and any other items of personal nature.

In conclusion, the wildlife in Tsavo West National Park is abundant and can be seen anytime of the year, trips to the national park can be combined with those to other destinations for example the Tsavo East National Park and the Amboseli National Park.

FAQ’s about Tsavo West National Park