Tour Category: Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park is a national park in Kenya with an area of 13,747 km2 (5,308 sq mi). It was established in April 1948 and covers a semi-arid area previously known as the Taru Desert. Together with the Tsavo West National Park, it forms an area of about 22,000 square kilometers. The Tsavo River flows west to east through the national park, which is located in the Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province.

Tsavo East National Park is generally flat, with dry plains across which the Galana River flows. Other features include the Yatta Plateau and Lugard Falls.[1] Inside Tsavo East National Park, the Athi and Tsavo rivers converge to form the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. Most of the park consists of semi-arid grasslands and savanna.

The Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow, runs along the western boundary of the park above the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. Its 290 km (180 mi) length was formed by lava from Ol Donyo Sabuk Mountain. The Mudanda Rock is a 1.6 km (0.99 mi) inselberg of stratified rock that acts as a water catchment that supplies a natural dam below. It offers an excellent vantage point for the hundreds of elephants and other wildlife that come to drink during the dry season.[citation needed] Lugard Falls, named after Frederick Lugard, is a series of white water rapids on the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. Aruba Dam was built in 1952 across the Voi River. The reservoir created by the dam attracts many animals and water birds.

Tsavo West National Park is more mountainous and wetter, with swamps, Lake Jipe and the Mzima Springs. It is known for birdlife and for its large mammals. It is also home to a black rhino sanctuary.