Affordable East Africa Travel: Discover This Hidden Gem National Park for Only 435 Yuan

Day 25 of My Kenyan Public Transport Adventure: Exploring Tsavo East National Park

[🌈] Welcome to Tsavo National Park! Established in 1948, this magnificent wilderness is divided into Tsavo East and Tsavo West, covering over 20,000 square kilometers—making it Kenya’s largest wildlife sanctuary.

[🌈] Forget the overrated Maasai Mara! While it may be Instagram-famous, Tsavo is the real king of Kenyan parks. At 20,000 sq km, it dwarfs Mara’s 1,500 sq km. Plus, with recent conflicts between herders and wildlife in Mara (including tragic lion killings), Tsavo offers a more authentic and peaceful safari experience. Let me introduce you to Kenya’s best-kept secret!

[🌈] Tsavo East features endless golden savannahs bisected by the life-giving Galana River. Tsavo West boasts dramatic volcanic hills, palm-fringed springs, and even an underwater observatory at Mzima Springs—perfect for watching hippos’ aquatic ballet and lurking crocodiles!

[🌈] This is elephant paradise! Home to 20,000 red elephants (their distinctive color comes from rolling in Tsavo’s red soil). But the park’s most infamous residents were the “Man-Eaters of Tsavo”—two lions that killed 135 railway workers in 1898, inspiring books and Hollywood movies. You can still visit the historic “Man-Eater’s Crossing” today!

[🌈] The Big Five roam freely here, and Tsavo East offers Kenya’s most accessible safari experience. Imagine spotting elephants, giraffes, and baboons from your train window—the Nairobi-Mombasa railway cuts right through the park!

[🌈] Stay tuned for my next post: How to reach Tsavo by public transport + budget safari hacks + accommodation tips! (Spoiler: I explored this wonderland for less than $50/day!)

[🦁 Pro Tip] Visit during dry season (June-October) when animals congregate at water sources, making wildlife viewing spectacular!