Our final reserve to explore in Kenya on the way from Nairobi to Mombasa was Tsavo East National Park. Tsavo is one of the oldest and biggest reserves in Kenya. We were welcomed the Kenyan way – with many entrances and inspections to confuse the safari enthusiasts like us. The park met us with several women selling souvenirs and jewelry, some thieving monkeys and long red roads.
We settled in our lodge. This time we contemplated the pond outside our terrace and wondered if that evening we’d withstand the assault of the mosquitos so we can see an animal drink from the water. We spend the time before the afternoon safari around the pool. Even though it was autumn and the winter was approaching, it was a true summer for us. A varied international company gathered around the water and started playing water volleyball.
Game drive in Tsavo East reserve
It is apparent that Tsavo is wilder and unblemished by manmade vehicles. There were no narrow roads to lead us to two lions and their early dinner. We had to put effort into spotting them but Tony’s trained eye helped us (once again). Yes, they were eating a huge body, maybe buffalo’s. They were extremely determined and finished it in no time, leaving the gathered jackals to their feast. The interesting part was several hundred meters before, where another lioness crouched in the bushes and we observed whether she was about to attack, which would have been the culmination. It goes like this in the national parks – the scenes unfold quickly and you have the honor of witnessing the circle of life in the savanna or the forest in one of the ten types ecosystems in Kenya.
Tsavo East – the wildest wildlife reserve
Tsavo is a wild place and we didn’t have the courage to get out and take a walk. The other parks weren’t playgrounds but here among the high grass and huge distances and hungry lions we decided not to try to beat our 100 meters record. Those thoughts and feelings were provoked by the slightly grim reality around these parts.
We passed by the lake of our village at sunset and enjoyed a more playful and optimistic outlook on life. A thirsty elephant was trying to drink and bathe while several hippos were guarding their territory. With only some growls and snorts allowed them to understand each other without a fight. The sunset left us with the silhouette of the happy elephant that had gone all the way there to cool down and with the hope that even the harsh reality of these parts allows sometimes for the species to coexist without spilling blood.
We’re going to remember Tsavo East reserve in Kenya with its underlined wilderness. While most of the reserves are actually wild (full of wildlife at least), Tsavo East has even more of that wild-vibe in it. Hard to explain it but easy to feel it when you get there.
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Tsavo National Park entrance fees
Here are the entrance fees for Tsavo in case you want to explore it independently, or at least partially independently. Foreigners pay 90 USD pppd (per person per day) (40 USD per child or student). East African citizens pay 600 KSD pppd (250 KSH for children and students) and East African residents pay should pay 1200 KSH pppd (600 KSH for children and students). Find more info here.
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