Shetani Lava in Tsavo West National Park
The Sheana Lava flow is the most unusual and fascinating natural wonder that one should visit during the Kenya safari. This rocky, charred terrain is a product of volcanic activities of the ancient world and a tribute to the rugged, untouched beauty which spreads over the Kenyan southeastern wilderness. Although most people visit the Tsavo National Park with the aim of meeting the elephants and predators, a visit to the Shetani lava gives a visitor an off-the-beaten-track experience of revealing the geological processes that have created the dramatic landscape of Tsavo West.
What is the Shetani Lava Flow?
The Shetani Lava is a large black lava plain in the Tsavo West, which was a result of the Shetani lava flows that arose about 200 years ago. ‘Shetani’ is the Swahili word for devil and local folklore held that the fiery eruption was the devil himself coming out of the ground. The rugged surface of the Shetani Lava is a contrasting feature to the nearby savannah and woodland, forming a moon-like surface with twisted volcanic rocks, craters, and caves that are hidden.
The lava flows are more than 50 kilometres long and up to 9 metres deep in certain places, creating complex shapes which are very interesting to geology lovers and photographers. This old lava field is one of the most accessible volcanic sites in a Kenyan national park and a must-visit site as you drive through the Tsavo West.
Scenery and Wildlife near Shetani Lava
Although the lava fields are too barren to sustain much vegetation, the environs of the lava flows are teeming with animals. Herds of elephants can be seen scratching in the lava fields, and klipspringers and hyraxes find their way through rocky outcrops with surprising ease. Raptors like Verreaux’s eagle and augur buzzards will be circling overhead, looking to find their lunch among the rocky hills that bird watchers can observe.
The surroundings are rich green in the Chyulu Hills, just close to the site, with a panoramic view of the Shetani Lava and the Tsavo plains. You can look up and see the distant hills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and this contributes to the surreal beauty of the scenery.
Things to Do in Sheana Lava
A visit to the Shetani Lava is one of the interesting things to do when on your Tsavo West safari. Tours of lava flows with knowledgeable rangers enable the visitor to traverse the surface of cooled lava, noting the flow patterns of rope-like pahoehoe lava and jagged formations which witness the history of the volcanic eruption. The lava tubes and caves may also be visited, and some of them harbour bats and other small animals.
A photographer will have unlimited chances to take photographs of the black lava in contrast with the bright sunsets in Tsavo. The stunning contrasts serve to create impressive images, especially at the golden hours when the low sun illuminates the textures of the lava.
The Shetani Lava is also an excellent teaching ground for geology students and lovers of all geological matters and volcanology in particular, since the volcanology aspect easily shows the cooling and solidification process of lava.
When to Visit Sheana Lava
The most appropriate time to visit the lava in the Tsavo West National Park is during the dry seasons that may fall between June and October and January and February. During these seasons, the weather is clear, and the lava fields are more easily accessible for walking and taking photos. Besides, there are more wildlife sightings around the local waterholes, thus allowing you to merge your lava exploration with the usual game viewing in Tsavo West.
In the rainy seasons, the environs might be muddy, and some of the tracks might be very tricky, but the rains also add a certain shade of green that contrasts so well with the black lava, adding another photographic value.
Reach Shetani Lava in Tsavo West
Shetani Lava is situated in Tsavo West National Park, which is conveniently accessible by road (roughly 250 km and 200 km) via Nairobi or Mombasa. The park is easily accessible via the Mtito Andei and Chyulu Gates. At the park gates, you can drive to the Chyulu Hills and the Shetani Lava region, where the Shetani Lava fields can be visited with Kenya Wildlife Service rangers or the guides of your lodge.
A 4×4 vehicle is recommended since it might be a bit bumpy, especially around the lava fields. Most of the safari lodges and camps in Tsavo West guide to the Sheana Lava and include the trip together with wildlife drives within some of the best locations within the park.
Accommodation in Sheana Lava
Several accommodation facilities are available in and around the Tsavo West National Park, which offer easy access to Shetani Lava. The Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Finch Hattons Luxury Camp and Severin Safari Camp are some of the lodges that provide comfortable accommodation, great game drives and guided tours to the Shetani Lava fields.
To the budget travellers, Tsavo West also offers affordable public campsites and bandas without sacrificing exposure to the Shetani Lava and other places of interest like the Mzima Springs and the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.
Mix Shetani Lava and Other Tsavo West Must-sees
Although Shetani Lava is an attraction on its own, it can be easily integrated with other attractions in Tsavo West to provide a full Kenya safari experience. Discover the hippos and crocodiles in the pristine Mzima Springs, track black rhinos in the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, or enjoy sundowners while admiring the expansive Tsavo plains.
To the north of the Shetani Lava, there are more volcanic features, caves and hiking in the Chyulu Hills. This combination enables you to enjoy the best of volcanic landscapes, wildlife experiences, and the spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro in a single visit.
Final Thoughts
The lava in the Tsavo West National Park is an interesting feature of your Kenya safari, where you get to understand more of the geological history of the region, besides the great wildlife.
Book your We invite you to book your Tsavo West safari with us and experience the ancient, raw power of Kenya’s volcanic past beneath the expansive African skies.
