In the following, we would like to give you some more information about the places of interest in Tsavo National Park:
Mzima Springs: Mzima- the word means »alive«. This stream of crystal-clear water was made famous by Alan Root's 1983 film Mzima: Portrait of a Spring, which followed crocodiles and hippos in their underwater lives. The area is a paradise for fish, hippos and crocodiles. With luck, some of the night's animal visitors may still be around, while the luxuriant growth around the water reverberates noisily with birds and monkeys.
At the side of one pool, a circular underwater viewing chamber has been built at the end of a short pier. The lava of the Chyulu range to the north filters the water to aquarium transparency prior to its arrival here: the porous rock absorbs the water like a sponge and gravity squeezes it into Mzima Springs. A direct pipeline from here to Mombasa, completed in 1966, is the source of most of the city's drinking water.
During your 45-minutes tour around Mzima Springs, you will be accompanied by a ranger of the Kenya Wildlife Service, who is responsible for your safety. The ranger will give you a lot of interesting information about the local plants, trees and animals.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Mzima Springs: approx. 12 km, journey time: approx. 20 minutes
Roaring Rocks: From the top of the Roaring Rocks, you have a wonderful panoramic view on the Rhino valley and the Ngulia Hills. The Roaring Rocks is an observation point for the protection of the black rhinoceros and the fight against poaching. When the wind rushes through them and hits the rocks, an eerie haunting or roaring is heard, producing a chilling effect on climbers. At nearby Mzima springs, a rich procession of wildlife prevails, as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, gazelles, zebra and giraffe gather at the source of water. From atop Roaring Rocks, a 100 meter high edifice, eagles swirl about the air, keeping watchful purpose over their nesting places. You can comfortably reach the Roaring Rocks by stairs.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Roaring Rocks: approx. 30 km, journey time: 1h, recommended time for visit: approx. 1h
Rhino protection area: Despite all the efforts during the 80s, there was no success in increasing the population of the Black Rhinos. This led to the fact, that this species of rhinos was threatened with extinction. Therefore the African Wildlife Foundation decided in 1986 to build a fenced Rhino Sanctuary at Tsavo West National Park. The goal of the 70 m2 fenced region is to protect the Black Rhinos in the park and preserve this species.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Rhino Sanctuary: approx. 45 km, journey time per way: approx. 1,5h, recommended time for visit: open from 04:00 pm until 06:00 pm.
Chaimu Crater: Chaimu Crater - or the devil's crater translated in Kamba (a language spoken by the Kamba people living in Machakos District) is a tall rising hill clad in the black colour of the lava stones. This recent volcano can be climbed as there is a track leading to the top. Climbing the hill is not easy as it can be very hot and the ground, where no vegetation grows, is not very stable and very slippery. You can walk safely as animals can not follow you on this uncomfortable and rough climb. At the top, the view is really breathtaking.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Chaimu Crater: approx. 24 km, journey time: approx. 45 minutes, recommended time for visit: approx. 1h
Shetani Lava: The Shetani flow, a black lava flow of 8 km long, 1.6 km wide and 5 meters deep, is the remain of volcanic eruptions which were subject of tales among local communities who named the flow "shetani" meaning evil in Kiswahili, after it spewed from the earth just 240 years ago. Climbing the flow is not an easy task as the thick black terrain is composed of uneven chunks of solid molten rock.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Shetani Lava: approx. 40 km, journey time: approx. 1 hour, recommended time for visit: approx. 1,5h
Leviathan: The second largest lava cave in the world. In 1975, the Cave Exploration Group of East Africa discovered what was then thought to be the longest and deepest lava tube cave system on earth, but is was later superceded by Hawaii's 61.5 km long Kazumura lava cave. Dubbed 'Leviathan' after the giant serpent of Hebrew legend, the cave extends over 13 km beneath the hills and can be as wide as half a kilometre in places.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Leviathan: approx. 45 km, journey time: approx. 1,2 h, recommended time for visit: approx. 1h
Taita and Chyulu Hills
Taita Hills is an enchanting place with hills, gorges, pockets of forests, rivers, waterfalls and cultivated fields everywhere. The hills are densely populated as well. The main town called Wundanyi is located between the two summits of the hills, which is the Iyale summit (2,149 m - 7,050 ft.) and the Vuria summit (2,209 m - 7,240 ft.). Taita hills comprise of more than 12 waterfalls or rapids and possess rare species of birds endemic to the area.
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Taita Hills: approx. 90 km, running time: approx. 2h, recommended time for visit: approx. 1h
Distance from Severin Safari Camp to Chyulu Hills: approx. 65 km, journey time: approx. 1,5h, recommended time for sightseeing: approx. 1h
Further information about activities in and around Severin Safari Camp are available here: Experiences.
