Mombasa, Kenya- Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo National Park is Kenya’s largest protected area and home to larger mammals, such as elephants, hippos, and zebras. It is about 95 miles from our port in Mombasa.

The drive to and back was an experience in itself. The road to the Park is two-lane and moderately (for the area) well-maintained. It is also heavily trafficked by trucks from the port city. A weigh station for all vehicles except cars/ SUVs (us) backs up traffic literally for miles, making a relatively short drive into a challenging experience.

It all started reasonably well…

Note the dirty windshield… more about that later.

Some roadways are in better condition than others

until everything stopped, and trucks backed up as far as we could see.

Trucks were backed up on the roadway and the shoulders.

What to do?

Option 1: creative driving.

On the shoulder.
Weaving between trucks into the other lane with no concern about oncoming traffic.
If construction zones, ignore barricades and drive through, including on unpaved sections being built.
In villages, parking lots and parallel streets if viable options.

On the shoulder and then between the two trucks into the oncoming lane.

Option 2: people watch

Option 3: look at the interesting scenery and trucks

Option 4: ponder where would be good lodging and dining places along the road

The Break Point Hotel

“avalable”

The “Rolex Hotel &”… something

“CALIFONIA”

“Self contained rooms” available

We finally arrived… after about three hours!
(the ride back was equally exciting, with the added drama of heavy rain, muddy splash water, and no windshield wiper on the driver’s side!)