Tsavo West National park and Tsavo East National Park were once a single mega-park, they were separated decades ago, along a line coinciding with the Mombasa highway – and they feel like quite distinct national parks with different eco-systems: the open, flat-to-undulating plains and scattered bush of Tsavo East National Park and the much more wooded, hilly landscapes, dotted with volcanic cones and dramatic, black lava flows, that characterize Tsavo West National Park.
The rugged landscape of Tsavo West is the result of both old and more recent volcanic activity. The park consists of savannah interspersed with open plains, grassland, savannah, mountains, semi-desert, cliffs, and volcanic ridges.
The Ngulia Hills even reach up to 1830 m altitude. Because these heights there are several places with great vantage points. Tsavo West is best known for Mzima Springs, the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, the lava landscape and the ability to climb mountains. In the rainy season, the park turns into a green Landscape