Divided into 3 parts by the Tiva and Galana rivers, the Tsavo East National Park is Kenya's largest National Park covering an area of 11,700sq kms. But its huge size has also been its enemy and the park has been hard hit by poachers who slaughtered horrifying numbers of rhinos, elephants and other species.

At just over 21,000 km sq, Tsavo National Park is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Because of its size the park was split into two, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, for easy administration. Midway between Nairobi and Mombasa the area boasts volcanic hills, four rivers, more than 60 major mammal species and 1000 plant species.

Tsavo East, across the highway, has rolling scrub-covered hills and is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo. Other places of interest in the area are the small village of Makindu with its Sikh temple and nearby Makindu Handicrafts Co-operative; the Lava Flows of Shetani and Chaimu which offer fun caving; and Taveta, which can be used as a base to enjoy swimming with the pygmy crocodiles in Lake Chala or exploring Lake Jipe by motorboat or traditional dugout canoe.

It is a hot, waterless dry region with an annual rainfall of less than 51cm recorded, and has a large diversity of landscapes from the gorges of Lugard falls with its water carved rocks to the natural catchment at Muanda.

The park has dramatic sights of large mammals including great herds of elephant, antelope, hippos, black rhino, eland, lions and giraffe plus a host of birdlife. It is an ideal place for exclusive camping, game circuts and adventures and is the greatest of all Kenya's parks. The middle section of the park has many rock and cave paintings.

Fact File on Tsavo East National Park

Area : 11,700 sq km Altitude: 200 to 1000 m [656 - 3280 ft]

Access from Nairobi / Mombasa: By Road : 270kms ( 5 hours )

Location : In Eastern and Coast Province, South East of Nairobi

Animals : Numerous - The Big Nine, and plenty other herbivores and birds

Vegetation : Open savannah and light patches of bush, cactuslike euphorbia trees

Facilities : Few lodges and camp sites

Attractions : The Big Five, rock and cave paintings

Tsavo West has a rolling volcanic landscape and is home to the "big five" animals. It also offers a temporary home to a huge number of migrating birds between October and January.

Tsavo West National Park was established in 1948 and is bordered by Taita Hills to thorests at the water margins. It covers a total area of 9065 sq kms and hosts a wide variety of wildlife species from the 'Big Five' (Lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant), numerous other carnivores, gazelles to over 150 bird species.

The park also has the Mzima springs, Shaitani Lava Flow which consists of caves, three craters, basalt flows and lava splashes. It is also rich e east and Tanzania to the south east with areas of unending succession of fantastic views across the plains dotted with fin graphite, marble and sulphite deposits.

Fact File on Tsavo West National Park

Area : 9065 sq km Altitude: 200 to 1000 m [656 - 3280 ft]

Access from Nairobi / Mombasa: By Road : 275kms ( 5 hours )

Location : In Eastern and Coast Province, South East of Nairobi

Animals : Numerous - The Big Nine, and plenty other herbivores and birds

Vegetation : Open savannah and light patches of bush, cactuslike euphorbia trees

Facilities : Lodges and camp sites are available

Attractions : Mzima springs, Big Five, Rhino sanctuary