Maktau South Gate is located next to Maktau North Gate and is one of the most developed gates of Tsavo West National Park. It is larger than Maktau North Gate and has several tourist facilities, including toilets and a refreshment center.
It also hosts a Kenya Wildlife Service ranger base and the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters for the southern part of Tsavo West National Park.
The gate is found on the southeastern border of Maktau town, just a short walk from the Voi–Taveta road. Visitors can pay by credit card at this gate and get detailed information about Tsavo West National Park.
The gate can be accessed by road or by air through Maktau Airstrip, which serves both Maktau North and South Gates.
All park entry fees must be prepaid through the bank, and cash is not accepted. Credit cards are often used at the park gates. The gates are the only official entry and exit points to the park.
At any gate, visitors must check in with the park authorities before entering. Passing through the gates marks the beginning of your safari in Tsavo West National Park. This park is one of Kenya’s premium national parks and attracts a large number of visitors each year. It is a must-visit on many Kenya safaris.
Tsavo West is sometimes called the “Park of the Man-Eaters” because of the famous lions that killed many railway workers during the construction of the East African Railway.
It is the second largest protected area in Kenya after Tsavo East National Park, covering about 9,065 square kilometers. The park is also one of the few located close to the Kenyan coast.
All gates of Tsavo West National Park are connected by good roads from different parts of Kenya. Visitors can use any gate depending on their location and do not have to enter only through the main gate.
The main gate, Mtito Andei Gate, is located along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway (A109 road).
Some gates of Tsavo East National Park include:
- Sala Gate
- Voi Gate
- Manyani Gate
- Buchuma Gate
