Shetani Lava is found about 4 km west of the Chyulu Gate in Tsavo West National Park. If you are heading towards Amboseli, you will come across the wide Shetani lava flows.
In Kiswahili, “Shetani” means “devil.” These lava flows formed only a few hundred years ago, and local people once believed that the devil himself had risen from the ground.
The lava covers over 50 square kilometers of land near the Chyulu Mountains. It is made up of dark, hardened volcanic rock and looks like a huge black blanket spread across the Savannah.
The formation is believed to have happened about 500 years ago when locals first saw hot lava erupting and flowing on the ground. They thought it was an evil spirit or the devil, which is how the name “Shetani Lava” came about.
Some small plants have managed to grow among the cinders, but most of the land remains bare. The last major volcanic activity in this area is believed to have taken place around 200 years ago.
From the Amboseli – Tsavo West road, you can follow the lava trail back to the Shetani cinder cone, which has now broken down over time.
Wildlife can be seen around the area, so visitors are advised to be alert. The Shetani Caves, which formed during the same volcanic activity, are located nearby.
These caves can be explored with a good torch or flashlight, but the rocks are sharp, and some animals, such as hyenas, may use them for shelter. Because of this, it is safer to visit with a guide.
Some lodges in Tsavo West offer guided tours to Shetani Lava and the caves, with prices starting at about USD 50 per person.
The lava fields do not have much vegetation, which means very few animals or birds are found there. The place is quiet and still, with the wind being the main sound you will hear.
Visiting Shetani Lava offers a chance to see one of Tsavo West’s most unusual geological features and to learn about the history and local beliefs linked to it.
