TAITA TAVETA, Kenya – As part of ongoing efforts to enhance conservation, tourism infrastructure, and deepen community engagement, the Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Prof. Erustus Kanga, accompanied members of the KWS Board of Trustees on an inspection tour of key projects within the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Taita Taveta County is home to Kenya’s largest national parks, the Tsavo East and West.
We take a look at some of these strategic tourism and conservation projects in the Tsavo conservation area.
1. 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐨 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
The newly constructed Kasaala Gate is set to significantly boost tourism by opening up the northern sector of Tsavo East National Park. It will create a vital tourism corridor linking Meru National Park to the coastal circuit, while also improving access for visitors travelling from Nairobi via the Kibwezi route.
Funded by the Tourism Promotion Fund and implemented by KWS, the project features a modern visitor gate, ablution facilities, sector offices, staff housing, and a community water point to support neighbouring communities.
2. 𝐍𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 – 𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
In Tsavo West, the team visited the recently rehabilitated Ngulia Rhino Viewing Platform — now a major attraction for tourists seeking to view the elusive black rhino at night. Supported by the Tsavo Trust, this initiative enhances the park’s tourism appeal while promoting the conservation of one of Africa’s most iconic and endangered species.
3. 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐉𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐬 – 𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
Once completed, the renovated bandas at Lake Jipe will offer guests serene lakeside accommodation on the Kenya–Tanzania border. This project promotes low-density, sustainable tourism, creates local employment opportunities, and enhances the visibility of the southern region of the parks as a unique cross-border destination. Shedrick’s Wildlife Trust supported the rehabilitation of the Lake Jipe Bandas.
4. 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐊𝐑𝐑𝐄) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 – 𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞
KWS is working closely with donors and conservation experts under the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion (KRRE) initiative to open new, secure habitats for black rhinos in the Tsavo landscape. The project is aligned with the national rhino strategy and supports:
- Population growth through the expansion of protected habitats.
- Community-based planning that integrates livelihoods with conservation.
- Ecosystem restoration to enhance biodiversity and promote long-term sustainability.
“Together, these transformative projects highlight KWS’s unwavering commitment to delivering conservation with impact—where thriving wildlife, empowered communities, and enriched visitor experiences go hand in hand,” KWS said in a statement.
By investing in strategic infrastructure and collaborative initiatives, KWS believes that it is not only unlocking Tsavo’s vast ecological and economic potential but also reaffirming Kenya’s position as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and world-class conservation.
