Size of Tsavo East National Park – Tsavo East National Park is located close to the Kenya-Tanzania border, not far from the coast. The park is named after the famous Tsavo River, which flows through the area and separates Tsavo East from Tsavo West National Park. Another important feature in this area is the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, which cuts across the park, making it easier for travelers to reach it.
Tsavo East is the oldest and largest national park in Kenya. It covers an area of about 13,747 square kilometers. When combined with Tsavo West National Park, the Tsavo Conservation Area covers around 20,000 square kilometers, which is more than 4 percent of Kenya’s total land area. To give an idea of its size, Tsavo East alone is about nine times larger than the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
The park is a very important wildlife area. It has the largest elephant population in the region and possibly in all of Africa, with about 40 percent of Kenya’s elephants living here.
The Tsavo Conservation Area is also home to more than 18 percent of Kenya’s rare and endangered black rhinos. Most of these rhinos are protected in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo West.
The elephant population in Tsavo is slowly increasing at a rate of around 4 to 5 percent every year. However, poaching remains a challenge. Even though poaching is illegal, there have still been cases of wildlife trade in the area, with 2011 being one of the worst years in recent times.
Apart from elephants and rhinos, Tsavo is also home to other rare species, such as the critically endangered Hirola and the endangered Grevy’s zebra. Conservation groups and park authorities are working hard to protect these animals and their habitats.
Today, the Tsavo Conservation Area is one of the most visited wildlife destinations in Kenya. Many visitors explore Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, and Amboseli National Park to enjoy game drives, nature walks, and other safari activities while experiencing the unique landscapes and wildlife that make Tsavo so special.
