Tsavo West National Park
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This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (April 2008) |
| Tsavo East National Park | |
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| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location | Kenya |
| Area | 7065 km² |
| Established | 1948 |
| Governing body | Kenya Wildlife Service |
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Area: 7065 km2. Location: south-west of the Nairobi-Mombasa road and east of Kilimanjaro. Though smaller than the sister park Tsavo East National Park Tsavo West is a more popular destination on account of its magnificent scenery, Mzima Springs, rich and varied wildlife, good road system, rhino reserve, rock climbing potential and guided walks along the Tsavo River. The park is operated by Kenya Wildlife Service.
[edit] History
[edit] Geology
[edit] Lava Flows
[edit] Mzima Springs
[edit] Lodges
[edit] Kilaguni Lodge
[edit] Ngulia Lodge
[edit] Rock Climbing
In 1978 Bill Woodley, then the warden of Tsavo West, invited the Mountain Club of Kenya (MCK) to explore the cliffs in the park. The setting for climbers is superb with elephant roaming the plains below the cliffs and eagles, vultures and falcons circling on thermals around the crags with Kilimanjaro frequently visible on a clear day. The rock-climbing is some of the best in Kenya, solid gneiss walls are often covered in holds and free of vegetation. Cracks and corners abound, but tend to be more vegetated. The most impressive piece of rock, the 300m high east face of Kichwa Tembo, attracted the first explorers and resulted in the ascent of Great Tsavo Chimney. Mastadon took 3 visits before it was completed. A more recent route, Ivory Tower on Elephant Rocks, ranks with the best and hardest bush climb in Kenya. Generally pegs need not be carried. Unless climbing in the shade, an early start is advisable as it often gets very hot on clear days.
The permit the MCK has to climb here, and to camp by the Tsavo river, is a special privilege and every effort must be made not to jeopardise this situation by careless actions. Other climbers should initially contact the MCK if wishing to climb here.
Details of climbs and access procedures: Rock Climbing Guide to Kichwa Tembo
MCK: Website
