Thinking about going on Safari? Already researching where to go? If so, there are so many amazing routes you can choose from. Tsavo west is a lesser known stop on Safari routes and we only chose it because we were finishing up in Mombasa on the coast, it was cheaper to go overland and meant we would see that little bit more. I’m so thankful that we did though as Tsavo West was a completely pleasant surprise and turned out to be our favourite destination of the whole trip (aside from the Masai Mara National Park itself of course!). It inspired me to write these 5 reasons why you should include it in your own Safari route, so as not to miss out on these amazing views and experiences for yourself. Enjoy!
1. See the ‘devil’ lava flow
The eruption only a few hundred years ago, that left a flow of coal black lava, remains visible for miles ahead on the route to Tsavo West. It was named the ‘Shetani’ lava flow by the locals which translates to ‘the devil’ in Swahili. It was believed that it was the devil that arose from the ground. The route to Tsavo West has a Dorothy yellow brick road like feeling as you drive along the twisting terracotta coloured tracks in your Safari vehicle, with the sharp contrast of the black lava enveloping on each side. It’s beautiful and feels almost eerie with no-one or no-sign of Safari animal activity for stretches of road ahead – simply the rolling hills in the backdrop.
2. SWIM WITH CROCODILES AND HIPPOS IN MZIMA SPINGS
…in their underwater viewing platform. Okay, okay, I didn’t actually mean swim with them – that would be crazy! You can however step down into a small glass pod and view them from under the water. Although crocodiles seem much scarier than hippos, hippos are actually more dangerous to locals, killing a handful of local farmers each year. They are extremely protective of their young and if they feel threatened – they can be extremely aggressive. I asked the park ranger (equipped with a large rifle just incase the crocodiles or hippos get too close!) whether a crocodile or hippo would win in a fight, given they share such close quarters, and he assured me that crocodiles often lose when they try and pick off baby hippos for dinner. Adult hippos can open their jaws 180 degrees wide and kill a crocodile. Interestingly though they are herbivores and don’t actually eat crocodiles – they only kill when necessary and are feeling threatened.
3. LEARN ABOUT THE PART THAT TSAVO WEST PLAYED IN WORLD WAR ONE…
Our guide told us about the part that Kenya played in World War One. Little known, it was one of the bloodiest battlefields between the British and German with the fighting happening mostly in Taveta, Tsavo West. You’ll see a number of trees with large oval holes in the trunk, like the one pictured. Our guide informed us that these holes are not only home to snakes and insects but they were also used in world war on by the Germans to hide snipers in to shoot unsuspecting British soldiers. Once the British army caught wind of this – they began blowing up any trees they saw like this with large holes in to take out the German snipers. Having done a bit of research and looking at the size of the tree it seems unlikely that someone could actually fit in there! But there is a local legend of the “Sniper tree” where a German women hid in the tree and shot at British soldiers to avenge the death of her husband. Perhaps just Chinese whispers, perhaps there is some truth in it!
4. SUPPORT ECO-FRIENDLY SUSTAINABLE LODGES LIKE THE STUNNING KILUNGUNI SERANA LODGES
The first in Kenya to be fully solar-powered. They also use sustainable materials for the lodge itself, with the roof made of coconut leaves keeping the inside nice and cool. The views from the bar, restaurant and room balcony are like something out of a movie set with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro visible in the distance. The Serena lodge itself is very unique, with wooden timbers supporting a vast ceiling with traditional elephant posters draped from the rafters like at a centuries old banquet.
5. WATCH SAFARI ANIMALS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR LODGE
The Kilunguni Serana Lodge is positioned perfectly in front of 2 watering holes, where you can sit with a nice cold local Tusker beer in hand (I’d advise asking for a drink cover though after several flies nosedived into our beers!), and watch elephants, giraffes, zebra and even hyenas drink side by side. Night time also offers up a great opportunity to see the animals in their natural environment. We had the pleasure of seeing a whole family of elephants, the babies in the middle, pass by the watering hole right outside our room.
Cheers!
Very Nice! Thanks For Sharing..
Author
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This is an amazing blog and I found it very informative. You have done a great job and keep writing such wonderful articles.
Author
Thanks Poppi for your kind comments 🙂