With 1872 square kilometers of reserve, Africa’s highest mountain (5895 meters) dominates the area of mountain rain forest, scrub, alpine moorlands, and ice fields. Kibo, the highest peak, is basically one which can be reached by a strenuous walk carried out by fit climbers, and is popular for many visitors where a minimum of five days is required. A fantastic view of Africa can be had from the top on a fine day. Inevitably the area below the snow line is shrouded in cloud. Although a few animals such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and eland may be found, the rare Abbots duiker is the prime attraction. Among the birds of special interest, those of note are Lammergeyer, scarlet-tuffed malachite sunbirds and the mountain chat.

Tsavo is an interesting mixture of extensive plains, steep rocky hills rising abruptly, a few river valleys with their fringes of tall green acacia and palm trees. Altitudes range from 300 meters in the Eastern section to 1,800 meters in the highest peaks of the Ngulia Hills.

The Mzima springs is an interesting feature in Tsavo west. It’s crystal clear fresh waters are a sanctuary to crocodiles, hippo and fish. There is an underground glass observatory where visitors get up-close to the hippos with out the dangers of an encounter. It is fed by numerous rivers, some underground, which flow out of the lava from different directions, forming an oasis in the middle of this otherwise dry scrubby landscape.