Tsavo National Park is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest wildlife reserves, established in 1948 and split into Tsavo East and Tsavo West for easier management.
Key Historical Points:
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Pre-Colonial Era: The area was inhabited by Oromo and Maasai pastoralists, as well as Kamba hunters.
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Colonial Period (Late 1800s): The park gained notoriety during the construction of the Kenya-Uganda Railway (1896–1901) due to the infamous “Man-Eaters of Tsavo”—two lions that killed dozens of railway workers.
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1948: Officially gazetted as Kenya’s first national park alongside Nairobi National Park.
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Post-Independence (1963): Became a major tourist attraction, known for its red elephants, diverse wildlife, and scenic landscapes.
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1989: Tsavo was divided into Tsavo East (more arid, open plains) and Tsavo West (lush, mountainous, with Mzima Springs).
Today, Tsavo remains a vital wildlife conservation area, home to the “Big Five” and a key part of Kenya’s tourism industry.
