Mudanda Rock
Elephants at the pool in dry months.
Waraho Mwangi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dr Peter James Chisholm — CC0 · CT Cooper — CC BY 3.0 · CT Cooper — CC BY 3.0 · Dr Peter James Chisholm — CC BY-SA 4.0
Tsavo East National Park is among Kenya's largest parks, covering 13,747 square kilometres and forming an area of about 22,000 square kilometres with Tsavo West. It is a land of wide, dry plains, known for its red earth and for watching animals in open country. It was established in April 1948 on semi-arid land once called the Taru Desert. Here the Athi and Tsavo rivers join to form the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River. Along its western edge runs the Yatta Plateau, described as the world's longest lava flow at 290 km. Its main stops include Mudanda Rock, a large outcrop that feeds a natural dam below, drawing hundreds of elephants in the dry season. Lugard Falls is a series of white water rapids on the river, and Aruba Dam is another place to watch wildlife. Giraffes, zebras and gazelles appear along the way. Distances are long and the roads are dirt, so you need a high vehicle with a driver or an organised tour. Dry months are best for seeing animals near water. Tsavo West is 117 km away in a straight line, and operators sell trips that combine them. Leave the vehicle only where allowed, and bring water, sun protection and mosquito repellent.
Elephants at the pool in dry months.
White rapids on the river.
A lava flow 290 km long.
Taita-Taveta County, southeast Kenya
It helps, or a high vehicle with a driver, as distances are long and roads are dirt.
The dry months, when animals gather near water.