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.

Tsavo is a model national park in both layout and its geophysical, animal amd plant diversity. Tsavo West has more than 2000 km of well maintained, all weather, roads. Good signposting leads the visitor from one natural wonder to another.

Chief among these must rank the marvel of Mzima Springs, replenished with two hundred and twenty million litres of crystal clear water every day, from the underground streams stemming from the lava massif known as the Chyulu Hills, 40-50 km away. Mzima forms a haven for a rich wildlife pageant with elephant soaking half immersed in the waters, hippo, apparently weightless, tip-toeing across the bottom, crocodiles basking on the bank or swirling through the water; gazelles, zebra and giraffe wandering around the banks through the thick acacias and raffia palms together with hundreds of chattering monkeys and birds.

There are well marked nature trails, an observation platform and an underwater glass tank which provides a special vantage point to view this remarkable oasis.

Not far fron Mzima Springs, along a well-marked track, lies the precipitous magnificence of the Ngulia escarpment at the foot of the Ngulia Hills which rise to 1825 metres. Each year from late September to November, Ngulia has become the base of a unique phenomenon. Attracted by the lights of Ngulia Lodge, thousands of migrant birds descend through the mists which are prevalent at this time of the year to be netted, ringed and released. It has become one the the bird wonders of the world and provides vital information on the migratory routes and habits of many species common to the northern hemisphere. Reports of ringed birds have been received from as far north as St Petersburg, and from countries as widely seperated as Oman, Malawi, Iran and Germany.

Apart from the elephant population there are many lion - some undoubtedly the descendants of the famous Maneaters of Tsavo! Among the less common animals to be found at the fringed-eared oryx, the gerenuk and lesser kudu. The carnivores in addition to lion include serval, hyena, leopard, cheetah and caracal.

The landscape is dominated, especially off the hills by the giant baobab, a tree which is reputed to live a thousand years. After the rains the park is showered with white and pink ipomea, the morning glory family, and the acacia trees are festooned in feathery masses of white and pink blossoms. The desert rose, somewhat like a miniature baobab, produces fuschia-pink flowers of striking beauty at almost any time of the year.

This feast of wildlife, flora and birds combines to make Tsavo of special interest - an interest perhaps made greater by geological activity evidenced by a mass of recently extinct volcanoes and massive lava flows. It is also possible to make an excursion to the Chyulu Hills National Park which abuts tsavo to the north west. The Chyulus are one of the world's newest mountain ranges; the most recent volcanic peak was formed only 500 years ago. A four wheel drive track leads to this peak - Shaitani - from the Chyulu gate and it is simpkle to walk to the caves on the side of the volcano. It is a breathtaking landscape of rampant ferocity and the vistas to Kilimanjaro are unbeatable.

At the other end of Tsavo West, in the south west corner, lies Lake Jipe, bisected by the border with Tanzania it is a favourite haunt of bird watchers and boats are available for ardent ornithologists.