Located on the edge of the Taru Desert, Voi is a bustling market town in southern Kenya’s Taita-Taveta County. It’s surrounded by estates where sisal fibre is grown and is a major safari hub as a gateway to several national parks and wildlife conservancies.
Things to do in Voi
Sprawling east of Voi is Tsavo East National Park, which is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya. It encompasses more than 13,500 square kilometres of grasslands and savanna that provide habitat for the “Big Five” (lions, black rhinos, cape buffalos, elephants and leopards). Also within the park are the river cascades of Lugard Falls and the world’s longest lava flow, the Yatta Plateau.
On the opposite side of the highway is Tsavo West National Park, which is more mountainous and famed for its spectacular scenery. Highlights of the park include the bird-filled shores of Lake Jipe and Mzima Springs, which attracts hippos and Nile crocodiles. In addition to its wildlife sightings, Tsavo West National Park is renowned as a rock climbing destination due to its soaring cliff faces.
Closer to Voi is the Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy, a small wildlife sanctuary that hosts elephants, Masai giraffes and lions. It was established in 2001 by the Lualenyi, Mramba and Oza ranches to continue the Taita community’s long history of co-existing with wildlife. Hartebeest, impalas and Thomson’s gazelles can regularly be spotted on the plains, together with a wide diversity of birdlife.
Getting around Voi
Voi is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Mombasa and Moi International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are five hours away. Regular trains connect to the Voi railway station and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.