Kenya: Tsavo National Park Map

At just over 21,000km 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. But its huge size has also been its enemy and the park has been hard hit by poachers who slaughtered horrifying numbers of rhino, elephant and other species.

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 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.