Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, its slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds is Africa’s highest peak and Mount Meru, another spectacular volcanic cone that is ideal for hiking. Indeed, Tanzania is a land of contrasts and majesty, presenting Africa at its most wild and unexplored affair. The sun-baked beaches of Zanzibar, the vast herds of game grazing on the Serengeti plains and the slow volcanic eruption of Ol Donyo Lengai, all these present the ideal African taste unspoiled for centuries. With so much natural wealth, it’s no wonder that Tanzania has something for everyone.
Visiting or even reading about Tanzania evokes feelings of ‘the best Africa has to offer’ – wonder, adventure, challenge, relaxation – just inexhaustible. This is because, while Tanzania’s most famous and world-renowned destinations are the highlights that bring visitors from around the globe, there’s much more to see and do than most people think. These are characterized by unique and diverse places and endless options of things to do. These venture from main destinations to far-off the beaten track such as little-known but spectacular Swahili ruins on the southern coast to the hunter gatherer tribes of the northern highlands.
Climbing is the highlight of most visitors’ experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Masaai Steppe, that belongs to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ — the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres — is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak.
Serengeti is easily Tanzania’s most famous national park, and it’s also the largest, at 14,763 square kilometres of protected area that borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park. Its far-reaching plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of acacia trees, have made it the quintessential image of a wild and untarnished Africa. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara attract visitors from around the world, who flock to the open plains to witness the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet. More than a million animals make the seasonal journey to fresh pasture to the north, then the south, after the biannual rains making it one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make dazzling days in the sun.
Overlooking Lake Natron and the bushland of Kenya to the north is, Ol Donyo Lengai, which means ‘the home of God’ in Masaai. This active volcano is seemingly, one of Tanzania’s most spectacular and undiscovered climbs. The volcano erupts sporadically, sending small streams of grey lava down the crater rim and spitting hot ash high into the air. The climb, undertaken overnight so that hikers can experience sunrise over the Rift Valley escarpment, is highly challenging but rewarding.
With so many parks and itineraries to choose from, safaris to Tanzania are often divided into regional circuits, or groups of game parks whose geographical proximity and topographical variations make up a varied and diverse group. Some of the circuits are of course more travelled than others. Tanzania’s northern circuit alone easily attracts the majority of tourists. But the northern circuit’s fame and popularity means that other equally stunning but less well-known locations remain little-visited attractions whose beauty is known to only a select few. The southern circuit contains the Selous Game Reserve – Africa’s largest game reserve which is bigger than Denmark! Although the northern circuit is the most famous, venturing off the familiar path inevitably rewards you with the phenomenal scenery and wildlife experiences.
Besides the obvious natural attractions Tanzania has to offer, the country’s towns and cities also make pleasant stops, with plenty to do and see. Many of Tanzania’s coastal cities were founded as port towns from which valuable goods were transported across the Indian Ocean by sailing dhows. On the mainland, many inland towns were important rest stops for trade caravans on their way to Central Africa or Lake Victoria, or returning back to the East African coast. In the northern highlands, many small towns were founded by the Germans as centers of colonial administration and agriculture. Today, Tanzania’s towns and cities still specialize in trade and agriculture, and are the centers of economic activity in their regions. Besides their obvious importance for the country’s local economy, the towns and cities of Tanzania have many historical and cultural sites of interest and definitely worth a visit.
PKP-African Safari desk, Natural Track Safaris
Landing at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport in Nairobi Kenya is an experience met with unique thrill and anxiety. Even for those whose purpose of travel has nothing to do with wildlife viewing, there is always unavoidable wildlife encounters right from the first turn to the city.
Located on the south of Nairobi, the airport was in the ancient years a free land where wild animals roomed freely. That is no doubt the reason why up to date, there are occasional wildlife encounters around these area. Not enough, few kilometers from the airport is the world’s only urban national park which offers untold wildlife experience within less than half an hour drive from the city centre.
Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, once known as a green city under the sun. Its perfect geographical location has turned it into a world’s cosmopolitan with great opportunities and international interactions. Interestingly, with all the diverse opportunities that Nairobi has to offer, it is unfortunate to note that many lay terribly undiscovered.
For many, Nairobi is either somewhere to arrive and quickly transfer to another destination or for a place for a brief – often reluctant – overnight stop before going home or heading for game parks. In fact, most visitors arriving at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport afterward transfer immediately to nearby Wilson Airport for their short flight to the bush, or pick up their safari van for the overland trip to their lodge or camp. And they do exactly the same in reverse on their way home.
Not only does Nairobi have great hidden treasures, there are also great attractions within reasonable distances that can be explored within a day or two for a reluctant vacationer. Already mentioned above, the world’s only wildlife capital – Nairobi national park. Covering 117 sq km, it is also East Africa’s oldest game park. It is its influence that makes it common to see giraffe or herds of antelope on your drive into the city.
The park is host to number of innovative conservations efforts: Nairobi Safari Walk is Kenya’s new conservation based recreation facility. The combination of skilled and creative landscape design, unique wildlife species and detailed interpretation, renders the facility supreme in tourism and conservation education. With a combination of three simulated, forests, wetlands and Savannahs, you can have an opportunity to learn about their valuable resource and how they can contribute to its conservation.
Adjacent is the Nairobi animal orphanage the oldest animal orphanage in Kenya. Set at the entrance of Nairobi National Park with lush vegetation contrasting against the red dust and clay soil, this educational and training facility is often home to more than 20 different animals and bird species. It is a refuge and rehabilitation centre for wild animals found abandoned or injured throughout Kenya.
David Shedrick wildlife trust is located on the southern part of the park. It is a small flexible and environmentally significance charity that helps save the lives of orphaned Elephants and Rhinos who are ultimately released back into the wild. You have an opportunity to see the orphaned and rescued elephants and rhinos everyday from 1100hrs to 1200noon and participate in feeding program.
Further down is giraffe centre. Managed by African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, the center’s effort is to conserve the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Take part in feeding the thrilling and beautiful giraffes, learn more about them, take a nature walk in the nearby nature trail and stretch your arm in donating to this noble conservation effort.
Also along this area is where you find privately managed Mamba village – a fantastic experience with reptiles of all kinds such as snakes, monitor lizards and large African crocodiles. A few meters is ‘Bomas of Kenya’ where every evening from 1500hrs, you have an opportunity to experience diverse cultural feats and breathtaking acrobatic performances. You can also tour the cultural villages to feel the real taste of African culture.
As for Nairobi itself, this is a city of wonderful restaurants serving fine, locally grown food in convivial surroundings at the affordable prices.
For shopaholics, there can be no finer experience than a visit to the village market. This not only contains an excellent assortment of small shops and lager stores but is also the place to be seen at weekends. You can enjoy large cup of Kenya coffee and a light meal in the plaza. Village market is the probably the best place to buy locally made handicrafts and curios. On Saturdays at the city High Court Parking and on Sunday at Yaya Centre, there are handicrafts markets too.
Nairobi is worth more than just a quick pass by. Karibu Nairobi!
PKP- African safari desk
Natural Track Safaris
The ancient explorers and rail builders in Kenya were the first people to discover the diverse theatrical episodes of what is now Africa’s largest wilderness conservation area – the Tsavos. The recent branding of the two unique national parks has not only described the natural truth of these jewels, but has already given them their ideal identity and distinction from each other.
Tsavo East is branded “theatre of the world” while Tsavo west is known as “the ancient land of lion and lava”. The twin National Parks of Tsavo East and West together form one of Africa’s largest wilderness reserves. This single National Park is larger than the island of Jamaica. Tsavo as a whole consists of 10 million acres of pure wilderness, incorporating savannah, ranges and hills, acacia and montane forest, and an extensive river system.
The vast plains of Tsavo are crossed by the main Nairobi-Mombasa railroad. This historic railway was, in 1899, the scene of one of Africa’s greatest Adventure stories. Two large lions actively preyed on the railway workers as they built a bridge over the Tsavo River, claiming over 120 victims. They evaded hunters for well over a year, and the legend of the Man-eaters of Tsavo was born. The sheer scale of Tsavo gives you a chance to really get away from it all, and to explore the wild in total solitude. On safari here you will see large herds of Elephant, their hides often a luminous red with dust, as well as Lion, Buffalo, Eland, Giraffe Impala, Kudu and possibly Rhinoceros.
The relative proximity of Tsavo East to the coast makes it an ideal safari destination for those staying on the coast, or wishing to combine a safari and beach holiday. Many coast based visitors combine a safari to Tsavo with visits to the Shimba Hills and Taita game sanctuaries, Amboseli National Park, or the Chyulu Hills.
The Joint mass of Tsavo West and Tsavo East National covers a massive 4% of Kenya’s total land area. Tsavo East the larger of the two, lies to the east of the Nairobi –Mombasa road, equidistant between Nairobi and Mombasa, and offers a vast and untapped arena of arid bush which is washed by azure and emerald meandering of Galana River. Guarded by the limitless lava reaches of Yatta plateau and patrolled by some of the largest elephant herds in Kenya
Tsavo east is characterized by the famous ‘Elephant in Eden’ experience – the sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images of Africa. The beautiful Aruba dam located on the north bank of the seasonal Voi River is visited by thousands of animals and a great game viewing destination. There is also Mudanda Rock – this whale –backed Rock towers above a natural dam and acts as a draw to thousands of Elephants.
The longest lava flow in the world- at 300 kilometers in length, the heat shimmering edge of Yatta plateau is the longest lava flow in the world and an ornithological paradise that attract migrating birds from all over the world. Lugards Falls – Named after Captain Lugard, the first proconsul to East Africa, the falls feature bizarrely eroded rocks through which the waters of the Galana River plunge into foaming rapids and crocodile –infested pools.
The slightly larger Tsavo East is generally flat, with dry plains across which the Galana River flows. Other features include the Yatta Plateau and Lugards Falls.
Tsavo West National Park is more mountainous and wetter than its counterpart, with swamps, Lake Jipe and the Mzima Springs. It is known for birdlife and for its large mammals. It is also home to a black rhino sanctuary.
Of all the point of attraction in this majestic reserve, Mzima springs are not to be missed. These natural springs produce 50 million gallons of fresh sparkling water daily. These waters are alive with shoals of barbell, Hippopotamus and waterfowls. A unique underwater observatory has been built that gives you an incredible view of this crystal clear underwater world, where massive hippos glide silently through swirling shoals of barbell. The springs have created a sprawling wetland paradise of giant Raphia palms and oases alive with water birds.
Both Tsavo East and West are ideal for those who enjoy solitude and a chance to explore wilderness without encountering other people. Lodges and Camps tend to be remote and accessible by long drives or air transfer. Of the two Parks, Tsavo East is the more remote and less visited. Many of these can organize game walks and other activities.
Enjoy your solitude adventure in Tsavos!
PKP-African safari desk
Africa is a festival continent. Throughout the whole continent, colorful and vibrant festivals range through musical, religious, cultural and harvest to mention but a few. One if this great event is the international camel derby and Festival held in Maralal, Kenya.
The derby is acknowledged as a stiff international sport and a great way to create awareness of the brisk onset in the desertification of Kenya, while also promoting better camel husbandry among the people of Kenya and the benefits of these spitting, kicking yet adorable creatures in arid environments.
The Derby takes place at Maralal, Samburu District, centered at Yare Club & Camp, just four kilometers south of Maralal town on the Nyahururu road. In addition to the camel races you will also find cycling races, donkey rides for the timid, darts, different challenge events, local dancing displays and stalls.
“Hit ‘em up, move ‘em out, raw hide” is the theme of this awe-inspiring annual event which is a blend of culture, colour, action, adventure and the finest camels of the north.
The derby, which has been running since 1990 attracts entries from America, Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, Spain, France, Japan, and South Africa to mention but a few, who gang up to compete against the reigning Kenyan Champions. The camels are chosen by judges for these races depending on handlers, strength and potential for speed. It is not a surprise to find a camel get up to 25 km an hour when racing.
The camel races are broken into two main events over a number of days. The first – Novices and Amateurs is for those who wish to ‘spectate’ in style. It is a 10km race where you hire a camel and handler for the day, saddle up and join in the furious hairy ride. The PRO’s Elite Camel race is next, a 42km marathon over a measured distance, passing the Maralal Township and running through semi-desert environments. No handlers or assistants are allowed to be used; you’re left to the mercy of the desert and your own devices or imagination. Its just fun and adventure of untold magnitude!
The experts say, “The derby is a mecca for adventurers, nomads and camels alike set in the spell binding country of Kenya!” It is also voted one of the Kenya’s most exciting events.
The derby started as a fun event to promote this little known gem of a place, Maralal, in Northern Kenya while at the same time seeking to raise awareness of the camel, its habitat and the people who live there – the Samburu community. It has since grown to an international event attracting contestants from all over the globe. Most people choose to camp, and bring the kids to enjoy cycling, horse riding and more.
PKP-African Safari desk
The pilgrim is here, wildebeests, Zebras !!! The Magnificent ‘mass movement’ of the beest, one of greatest shows on earth is again here with us. …
Africa is changing at a rapid pace and human encroachment into wildlife reserves has continued to erase the traditional routes and wildlife migratory corridors. Coupled with development and massive changes of the way of life, the image of wildlife roaming free in the jungles of Africa is slowly getting expunged. Fortunately, Kenya in tropical Africa still holds on to its charisma of an open limitless land. It is one of the places in Africa that still prides in wildlife diversity and concentration.
One of these amazing places is Maasai Mara national reserve. With its ideal location; – south west of Kenya, 290 kilometers from Nairobi, Mara’s profusion of wildlife and remoteness implants memories in-buyable with money.
The wildebeest migration is a recent phenomenon with 60’s and 70’s marking the biggest boom with about 250,000 individuals. The number has since then risen gradually to the current population of over three million individuals. Add to it an estimated 1.5 million zebras, thousands of gazelles and hundreds of impalas and the result is one of the most magnificent scenes in the world. This massive display of ungulates attracts hundreds of big cats as the population provides abundant prey while the giant crocodiles lie in wait, patiently, as the herds come to cross the river or to drink.
Many have described it as the world’s biggest spectacle, while others have come back time and again, to witness this panoramic faction of wild animals’ itinerant freely through unspoiled savage wilderness. While the drama culminates, the air fills with clicks of cameras flicking tirelessly to capture this unique world re-known spectacle.
However, as the phenomena may seem to astound and amuse scores of visitors and conservationists, tally the Maasai community out of the glee. To them, the phenomenon is a big calamity as the wildebeests transmit diseases to their herds and poison the waters with their fetal sacs and also compete with their vast boran cattle herds for pasture and water.
This world famous migration is a circle of life which in simple terms means ‘there isn’t a start or an end’ but just where the herds are sited at a particular time subject to availability of pasture. The plains of Ngorongoro conservation Area in Serengeti are a favored spot as grass abounds and the wildebeest find a safe place to grace. It is also here that over five hundred thousand new calves are born and many are taken by the nearby waiting jackals or hyenas. Casually speaking, the gnus (wildebeest) go to Mara for ‘honeymoon’ and then proceed to Serengeti for breeding. The new born’ have little time to strengthen their legs since soon after they are born, the pilgrim” continues.
By April, the rains are over in Serengeti and the plains have dried up, thus these natural lawn mowers have to instinctually abandon the exhausted grasslands of southern Serengeti. They therefore gather and commence the extensive stride northwards and westwards to the already tall grass of the western corridor near the shores of Lake Victoria.
The pioneers of this pilgrimage are the majestic herds of zebras. They prefer the long shoot of the coarse grass thus leaving behind shorter grass favored by the wildebeests. In late June to July the mass start pouring into the Kenya’s Masai Mara reserve where fresh tender and mineral rich grass is already waiting. Here they meet the resident Mara populations which add up to a hundred and fifty thousand individuals. Also commonly referred to as the Loita plains herds, they spend most of the season northeast of Mara. When it gets dry, they pour into the interior of the Mara in search of greener pastures.
The migrating herds spend roughly three to three and half months in the Mara crossing through Sand River (a tributary of the Mara River) along the boundary of Kenya and Tanzania. They trek westwards and cross the Mara River and sometimes the Talek River. Usually, around this time, heavy rains on the Mau escarpments (Origin of the Mara River) fill the Mara River to the brim.
This is a good time to watch the trunk-looking Crocodiles, while they spectacularly anticipate and grasp the ‘imminent feast’. Finally, the gnus venture into the river! This gregarious coordinated behavior of the herds, usually teamed with zebras, creates an unimaginable scene – Just what the cameras have been waiting for!
They wander along the river looking for a convenient crossing point. This is a moment filled with tension for both the gnus and the audience. They survey for a less steep spot oblivious of the perceptible jeopardy. Finally, one takes courage and plunges into the river and magically the rest falls onto the footsteps and in one organized line cross the river.
In addition to the crocodiles’ merciless attacks, accidents also occur. The river’s current can be too strong for some especially the young ones or simply, getting stuck between the rocks in the river and breaking limbs – a direct ticket to the jaws of the giant crocodiles. Finally, the crossing is done and the trek to their unknown (or known) destiny continues
In the month of October, they are already heading to Serengeti where the rains have treated the southern grasslands to lush, green carpet of rich grass. Once again, they are heading to the southern plains, where a new generation will be born to start the cycle of life all over again.
PKP, Adventure African Safaris
As the frenetic pace of today’s lifestyle takes its toll on body of mind, many Kenyan hotels have found the perfect antidote for their seemingly stressed-out clientele – the wellness centre.
This concept is becoming over more exotic and self-indulgent. With demand growing all the time for new age therapies and wholly natural treatments, many of Kenya’s health clubs have evolved into fully fledged wellness centers.
This trend has expanded so rapidly that, nowadays, there are few major coast hotels that cannot boast a newly constructed, internationally branded and dedicated spa area where you can retreat into a special world of tranquility and general well-being. Perhaps it is the warmth of the sun and the open-air lifestyle of the coast that makes these centers so appealing.
In 2007, for example, the coast properties of two of Kenya’s biggest hotel groups, the Serena and Sarova, launched new spas at Serena Hotel & Spa and Sarova Whitesands. This is not to say that wellness centers have not opened elsewhere – in Nairobi, for instance, or among the camps and lodges – but development has certainly been most intense at the coast.
The Serena now has its Maisha Mind, Body & Spirit Spa, which is said offers you “a sanctuary of calm that draws on the beauty of nature and the elation of evocative surroundings to create the perfect island of holistic nurturing.”
The Maisha Spa offers a wide range of treatments, each of which can be specifically tailored to your needs. Some use the Elemis range of scientific skin therapy treatments; others are handmade by Serena’s therapy team using local fruits, flowers and oils. Treatments can also be made up especially for you to take away.
Meanwhile, the Sarova Whitesands has its new Tulia Spa, offering you a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. The Spa offers the Mombasa and greater coastal area chance to wind down in luxurious and peaceful grounds.
On the South Coast, the Leopard Beach Resort has added the words ‘& Spa’ to its title since it opened its Uzuri Spa. Meaning ‘Goodness’ in Swahili, this new facility is set in no less than six acres of forest, creating what the hotel describes as “a sanctuary of those seeking tranquility and the rejuvenation of mind, body and soul.”
Next door, the Diani Reef Resort & Spa offers the Maya Spa, with its uncompromising approach to health, well-being and beauty.
Further down the coast, Pinewood Village has its Amani Day Spa, while The Sands at Nomad offers its Forest Breeze centre with professional messages and facials, pedicures and manicures, exotic body scrubs and personalized natural treatments along with range of beauty treatments.
Away from the coast, there is a less emphasis on ‘wellness’. Some of Nairobi Hotels have more traditional health and fitness clubs, but many camps and lodges are just too intimate to warrant such facilities. In any case, with you being busy each morning and late afternoon on game drives, this leaves you little time for out-and-out relaxation and may decide to wait until you reach the coast before pampering yourself and getting the dust out of your hair.
There are exceptions, of course. The Loisaba Wilderness Spa at Loisaba Lodge, for example, combines wildlife with well-being by offering you sheer indulgence combined with views of the Laikipia Plateau. Look out also for a comprehensive international spa at The Tribe hotel in Village market, operated by Protea hotel chain.
Enjoy your spa!
PKP , African Safari Desk
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As their name implies, African Fish Eagles are indigenous to Africa, ranging over most of continental Africa south of the southern-most edge of the Sahara Desert.
It is the national bird of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The African Fish Eagle can be seen flying throughout the Kenya park skies and is known by many different names, in many different languages. Usually seen in the morning and evening times, in couples along the rivers. Those of you who love the mornig search for the big cats along the rivers, have offcourse seen them endless times. It is a beautiful bird, a fairly large eagle and can be identified by its distinctive black, brown and white plumage.
Its habitat is usually limited to fresh water lakes, larger rivers, reservoirs and dams, with enough large trees for it to perch on. These eagles are also found near coastal lagoons and estuaries, but are absent in very arid areas. The nest consists of a large pile of sticks, 120 to 180 cm in diameter, and 30 to 60 cm thick. It is usually build in the fork of a tree, near water, but also sometimes on a cliff ledge or in a low bush on a steep slope.
The African Fish Eagle is usually seen in pairs, whether it is inside or outside of their breeding season. Breeding season for African Fish Eagles is during the dry season, when water levels are low. African Fish Eagles are believed to mate for life. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs, which are primarily white with a few reddish speckles. Incubation is mostly done by the female, but the male will incubate when the female leaves to hunt. Incubation lasts for 42 to 45 days before the chicks hatch. Fledging lasts for 70 to 75 days, and after about 8 weeks the chick is capable of feeding itself and will usually begin to venture outside of the nest 2 weeks later.
They evenly share the kills made by either between the two of them. As its name suggests, its main diet consists mostly of fish, sometimes dead, but mostly caught live. They are able to catch fish up to 1 kg in weight and in some exceptional circumstances up to 3 kg. It is also known to eat carrion and in some rare circumstances will even feed off dassies, monkeys, monitor lizards, frogs, terrapins and insects. Hunting takes place from where the eagle is perched and rarely whiles it is soaring in the sky. Stooping at fish, African Fish Eagle will catch their pray with their feet, usually within 15 cm of the water surface. They may also submerge at times. The best places to see this magnificent bird is in Amboseli national park, Tsavo national park , Maasai Mara game reserve,lake Baringo and Nakuru National parks as well as around Lake Naivasha.
PKP, African Safari Desk
http://www.natural-track.com/forum
In the past we have looked at the Order, Perisodactyls.
You will now have a look at the other Order, Artiodactyls, and learn a few field characteristics that will enrich your Safari once you are ready .This is where we meet the swines and the hippopotamus.
In Kenya, the warthog is one of the very common animals of this order. Others include the bush pig, giant forest hogs found in the woodlands of Kenya and other African countries.
On many outings on your holiday safari, it is the warthog that you will meet mostly in the open savannahs. It is one of the amazing creatures especially when you look at their faces. The warts give them an exaggerated appearance of ‘tough’ animals. These warts are very prominent on the males. It is the only pig adapted for savannah habitats and as such it is the commonly spotted hog. You will see them on hot days wallowing in the shallow waters giving them that muddy look.
When feeding, the warthog rests and walks on its calloused carpal joints (wrists or knees). This is a behavior seen only with the warthog that makes the skin tough around the knees. This is the reason why in some old animals this skin has flaking looks due to use with time. Where there are seasonal climatic changes, they are seasonal breeders rutting at the end of the rains.
Usually they give birth to several piglets in a burrow under the ground. Unfortunately (or fortunately) they are preyed upon by a couple of predators including big birds of prey.(one time a martial eagle came down like lightning and grabbed a piglet just next to our van as we watched them and the helpless mother had nothing she could do).
When threatened by the predators, they seek their underground refuge and usually put up a defense especially for the piglets. On a couple of times you will see that when surprised or scared they run for their burrows backwards first. This is a defensive move whereby they usually attack with their teeth with the rest of the body protected in the hole.
The hippopotamus is one of the most interesting creatures. An enigma in itself. One of the most noticeable characteristic is the physical resemblance to the pigs.
There are two species of hippos in the world, but while on your safari in Kenya you will see one of them, the common hippopotamus. The dwarf hippopotamus is found in the lowland forests of West Africa from Guinea to Ivory Coast.
Hippos feed at night on land and during the day they rest in the water. This is the time to digest what they have been eating during the night. Their ‘familiar’ honking enriches the day with the sounds of the African wilds. All this in their age-old natural habitats that man has not yet managed to destroy, but unfortunately on the way.
The hippo’s jaws are often displayed as a ready protection or as a threat to intruders. You must look out for the famous “hippo yawn” during your trip and this calls for some patience when you visit the hippo pools. Usually during the night when feeding, lions and hyenas try their luck on the young calves and this is usually fierce asking for a lot of trouble from the mother. In some cases they succeed but after some fights that can vary from mild to fierce. At times, the display of the huge canines is enough to ward of intruders especially during the day when they rest in shallow waters. The fact that they are most of the times in a group also helps a lot to protect their young ones.
On your African Safari with the help of the guide you will be able to interpret more of the behaviors around the hippos and the warthogs as they appear. It is worth it to learn about them, their way of life and that way we will be able to maintain their habitat for generations to come.
PKP, African safari Desk
Ask any tourist about a safari in Kenya and you will hear endless stories about Rift valley views, Lake Nakuru, Bogoria and Baringo. Others will tell you tirelessly about the famous parks and reserves while others will narrate from dawn to dusk about the recently graded seven wonders of the modern world, the wildebeest migration and masai mara ecosystem. Additionally, you will not miss a hundred more tell you about Lake Victoria, the worlds second largest fresh water lake. The narration will go on and revolve around what one saw or heard about the beaches of the Kenyan coast and the pride mountain, Mt Kenya. And the story ends here.
In the rush for wildlife, especially big five craze, there is another side of Kenya that you rarely get to see, starting with Western Kenya.
When you hear of port Florence, the name sounds like one of the many ports in the world. This is the current Lake Victoria’s major town and the Kenya’s third city- Kisumu one of the major attraction site in western Kenya. Many know about it and scholars have written about it both locally and internationally with the local people having various authentic folk tales, myths and legends about its mother Lake Victoria.
The western Kenya includes important towns among them, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Kisii among others. The Kenya’s agricultural back bone is found here. To the north, you enjoy fresh fruits and other farm produces from the fertile farm lands. To the south you view beautiful vast plantations of tea that are endless and the dedicated local people may insist you pick a few. Proceed to Kakamega forest. It is the only rain forest in Kenya and only found on this part of the country. Here you get to see many species of Fauna and Flora that can only be spotted in the Congo forests, which are thousands of miles from here.
This is definitely a living museum of unique and rare species, a treasure trove for nature lovers, bird watchers and an ideal place for holiday makers.
A couple of primate species reside in this forest including black and white colobus monkeys and the debrazza monkeys. The sheer abundance of birds is over whelming and the beautiful chameleons that are often seen in the undergrowth are a great pleasure.
You can set camp on the forest edge and enjoy a great meal prepared by the safari cook. But at night the forest is a different world – the air fills with bats, the silence is taken over by croak sounds of frogs, night birds and the unmistakable booming call of the giant forest squirrel, very interesting and appealing.
The forest has many walking trails. Though there is a vehicle circular, the forest is best explored on foot. It is such a fantastic place and you feel the urge to stay longer.
But you have Mount Elgon to visit too. Here lays an impressive craggy extinct volcano whose peaks are ideal for climbing. The many caves found here are collectively known as Elkony but the famous one is called Kitum. At night Elephants collect in this cave to lick natural salt from the walls of the cave. Here you witness ancient cave paintings on the walls. Hiking to the peak is very fulfilling.
These are some of other destinations that you would rarely find on the regular safaris, especially if coming back to Kenya for a second or third time.
PKP, African Safari Desk
The Marabou stork was definitely out of place. No one could miss this gigantic strange-looking bird with its crop hanging down the neck. This only added to the beauty of this natural reserve, Lake Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru national park is located in the Rift Valley and is a small, shallow, alkaline-saline lake located in a closed basin without outlets. This creates avery
Alkaline envinment in this basin and its waters. The alkaline water and warm environment provides perfect growing grounds for the blue-green algae that flamingoes feed on.
Lake Nakuru is one of the most famous destinations for safaris in Kenya due to its spectacular wildlife sight, a paradise to all especially ornithologists. It was declared a national park in 1961 and it now covers an area of 200 km². It is a home to several species of wildlife in addition to the millions of flamingoes and hundreds of bird species.
Flamingoes are the main attraction of this lake and their brilliant pink extend as far as the eye can see.
Standing at 40 inches, they have long legs that enable them to wader and feed in the warm muddy waters of the lake.
Their main diet is the blue green-algae (Spirulina plantensis) that grow in the alkaline waters with pH concentration of between 10.4-10.5. With the deep-keeled bill they filter the top waters for the algae and other fine particles. Their pinkish or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments in the algae and small crustaceans that they eat. Their long legs and neck are especially noticeable as they are longer than in any other bird to relation to the body size.
However, even though flamingoes can withstand pH levels as high as 10.5, they do need to wash in clean water in order to rinse the soda off. The soda can dry and form clumps on their feathers and hold them from flying. Same case goes for drinking water.
Lake Nakuru is a haven for both greater and lesser flamingoes. Both are gregarious forming big crowds all over the lake. Only the keen eye will notice the small differences in plumage color and bill, but your guide will definitely show you what to look for.
During courtship, a group of up to 10 individuals hold their heads and neck high and call to one another. Then they move the head side to side. Over the next several minutes, the rhythm increases and other members join in the frenzy which can reach up to 50 individuals. It is one of the magnificent displays that no one needs to be a birder to enjoy. They then march forward for a few meters and back, open their wings and bow in salute. This show will be repeated about 6 times. At the end of it, pairs will stand side by side in a ‘kiss’ position, their beaks touching.
A flamingo’s nest is a mound of mud about one foot high (12 inches). The mound’s purpose is to protect the egg from being washed away by the gentle currents of the lake especially in windy and hot days
The female lays a single egg and both partners take turn to incubate for the next 28-30 days.
After incubation period, the new gray chicks are welcomed to this world and stays in the nest for the first 10 to 12 days. The chick has pink bill and legs but within a few days, up to a week they turn black. All the parents know their offspring by voice and feeds them with a blood-red secretion formed by glands in the upper digestive tract.
After the chicks leave nests, they stay together in crèches. They are however able to fly and swim from an early age. It is interesting to note that flamingoes have few enemies as the conditions that they in are usually inhospitable for the predators and large birds of prey. In Lake Nakuru however I have had a few occasions that hyenas have been able to prey on them.
During flight they follow each other closely, using a variety of formations that help them take advantage of the wind patterns and maintain their bonds of togetherness.
Lake Nakuru is great for a family weekend outing or simply a stop over enroute to other destinations, especially because of its central location.
PKP, African Safari Desk
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