Kenya - Parks

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Lake Turkana
Surrounded by an arid, extraterrestrial landscape that is often devoid of life, the long body of Lake Turkana droops down from the Ethiopian border, extending nearly 200 miles from north to south and 30 miles at its widest point. It is Africa's fourth largest lake, fondly called the Jade Sea because of its breathtaking color. 

Turkana is home to a burgeoning population of crocodiles, who are unmolested, by poachers because the lake's waters are heavily alkaline: a trait that makes their skin worthless. Consequently, some them grow to monstrous sizes, and swimming in the lake is risky. Fishing, however, is of course safe and very good here. The world's largest fresh water fish, the Nile perch, lives in the lake, and it can get up to 400 pounds. 

There are two national parks in the Lake         Turkana region, both of them islands. Three volcanic cones are a major attraction of Central Island, which could just as easily be called Crocodile Island: it has the largest crocodile breeding ground in the world. South Island, the other park, is also volcanic and full of the giant reptiles. One of the most thrilling ways to see the crocs is by night; when a flashlight is shined over the water, their retinas reflect a deep, luminous red over great distances.

Malindi-Watamu Marine Reserve
Malindi - Watamu, located on the central coast, is one of Kenya's best marine parks. The town of Malindi, in fact, is home to the International Bill Fishing Competition, which takes place every January. The reserve itself begins 100 feet offshore and extends three miles out to sea, its main attraction being its spectacular reef, which starts about a kilometer offshore. A particularly charming way to dive Kenya is from the deck of a dhow, which can be chartered in the ports.

Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park is huge. Over 11,747 square kilometers of bushy grasslands, open plains, and semi-arid acacia scrub make up Kenya’s oldest and largest Game Park. Tsavo is credited with one of the world’s leading biodiversity strongholds. From red brown rivers surrounded by green grass and doum palms, to the endless plains covered in red dust, with a single surviving acacia tree, the scenery is constantly changing.

Tsavo’s stunning views over the plains of Africa include the Yatta Plateau, the largest lava flow in the world, Mudanda Rock, which resembles a smaller version of Ayers Rock, and the incredible Lugard Falls. Tsavo receives very little rain, and the brilliant sunshine and fantastic scenery make it perfect for those interested in photography.

If the scenery isn’t enough for you, don’t worry! Tsavo abounds with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and lion. And while you are chasing the big ones, there are always waterbuck, gazelle, zebra and kudu to watch. Not to mention over 500 species of birds!

Ever seen a pink elephant? In Tsavo, you will see nothing else. Covered in a fine layer of red dust to stop the biting insects, Tsavo’s elephants are certainly not gray! With over 4,000 elephant in the area, this is the park to visit if elephants are your passion.

Famous also for its past, Tsavo became known worldwide in the late 1890’s for the man-eating lions which slowed the building of the Mombasa-Nairobi train tracks. For several months, two large male lions terrorized the railway workers and brought work to a standstill until they were finally killed. Whilst those two animals are no longer in Tsavo, their descendants are; it is not unusual to see large prides of up to 16 lions lazing under a shady bush.

With half the park area banned to vehicles, Tsavo still enjoys true wilderness. Walking or mobile camp safaris are the only way to penetrate this area, and even then only with special permission. The proximity of the Indian Ocean makes Tsavo a popular destination for many safari travelers, who wish to rest and relax either before or after their safari.

Easily accessible, Tsavo offers the choice of a quick introductory safari or the space to allow a detailed exploration of the wonders of Kenya’s wildlife over several days.

Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park is a 9,000 sq km game park in southern Kenya, located about 200 km south-east of Nairobi. Separated only by the Mombasa/Nairobi road from Tsavo East, Tsavo West is part of the entire Tsavo eco-system.

Famous for the Mzima Springs, with its unique underwater hippo observatory, and for the Shaitani lava flows and Chaimu volcanic crater, the park offers plenty of opportunity to explore on foot. In addition, the park has recorded over 600 species of birds. The park also holds an important rhino sanctuary and is famous for elephant. 

Prior to the park's establishment in 1948 with its sister park, Tsavo East National Park, the Waliangulu people roamed the park hunting elephant with bow and arrow. British forces in World War I built forts along the Tsavo River in defense of Von Lettow Vorbeck's intrusion from the south and engineers built a railway through the bush land, encountering man-eating lions.

Since that time, much has changed. Over 1,000 miles of road exist. The Kenya Wildlife Service maintains numerous vehicles, buildings, bridges and roads. In addition, there are over 300 personnel involved in protecting the wildlife, maintaining the Park and serving the visitors.

The park offers numerous accommodation options including Finch Hattons Camp, one of Kenya's best luxury tented camps, built around a series of hippo pools. 

Tsavo is a vast ecosystem where the relationship between wildlife and its environment has been allowed to take its own natural course. The park offers diverse habitats including mountains, rivers, forests, plains, lakes and wooded grassland. 

Game includes: leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, plains game, crocodile, and plenty of additional small mammals, birds and insects.

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