KENYA SAFARI

AMBOSELI

Towered over by the magnificent bulk of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,896 m), Africa’s highest mountain, Amboseli is one of Kenya’s oldest, famous and most-visited parks. Endlessly panoramic, yet comparatively compact, it is dotted with emerald green swamps in which great herds of elephant wallow; half submerged in the papyrus grasses. The permanent marshlands also provide a potent draw to hippos and buffaloes, while offering a haven for the abundant water birds. An International Biosphere Reserve, the park largely constitutes the usually dried-out lakebed of Lake Amboseli, which is surrounded by flat grasslands relieved by very few trees. On the plains are numerous antelopes, spotted hyenas, jackals, warthogs, olive baboons and vervet monkeys. Lions are rare.

Observation Hill, a conical peak, which is easily climbed, offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is world-famous for its populations of large mammals. The swamps are a centre of activity for elephants, hippos, buffaloes and abundant water birds. The surrounding flat grasslands are home to grazing antelopes. Spotted hyenas are plentiful, as are jackals, warthogs, olive baboons and vervet monkeys. No longer present in their original numbers, lions can still be found in Amboseli though the famous black-maned lions have long since disappeared, as have the black rhinos that were once so plentiful.

Wildlife highlights: lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, zebra, hippo, spotted and striped hyena, giraffe, oryx, wildebeest, gerenuk, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Birds: 425 recorded species.

ABERDARES

The Aberdares are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area providing water to the Tana and Athi rivers and part of Central Rift and Northern drainage basins. The National Park lies mainly above the tree line running along the 10,000ft contour with some forest and scrub at lower altitude in the ‘salient’ area near Nyeri with the boundary running down to the 7000ft contour the unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest, whose management is under a MoU between KWS and the Forest Department. Mist and rain occur throughout much of the year, with precipitation varying from around 1000mm yearly on the north western slopes to as much as 3000mm in the south east. Heavy rainfall occurs through most of the year.

Attractions are Lesatima peak, Kinangop peak, waterfalls, walks in the moorlands, Twin hills, Elephant hills and Table mountains, Elephants, Second largest population of black rhinos in Salient and Northern Aberdares, Queen Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne at Tree-tops, The Kimathi Hideout, Night viewing of wildlife at the Ark & Treetops.

SAMBURU GAME RESERVE

Lying in the lower curve of the dry northern Kenya region, the three reserves of Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba make up a combined area of over 235sq. kms, and are well worth a visit to view an ecosystem that spans arid terrains, hills, shrubland and grassland. The main water source, the Uaso Nyiro River, feeds the riverine forest and swamp. The patches of forest and doum palm dotting the landscape provide an ideal setting for exuberant primates, sombre hippo and sedate crocodile. Elephant families visit the river’s shallows to give themselves a shower or immerse themselves totally in the invigorating, cool water.

The exciting animal life also includes game only seen north of the equator, namely grevy’s zebra, beisa oryx and reticulated giraffe. Other residents are gerenuk gazelle, the Somali ostrich, ‘big five’, and more common savannah game. As the name implies, this is Samburu land. The Samburu are a colourful tribal people who have lived in harmonious accord with nature over the years, maintaining cultural conservation practices based on a deep respect for the ecosystem.

LAKE NAKURU

The most famous of the Great Rift Valley lakes, Lake Nakuru is renowned for its magnificent birdlife, beautiful scenery and teeming with wildlife. This 188sq. kms. park is a paradise for those who are particularly interested in ornithology and also offers the opportunity of seeing white rhino, the rare Rothchild’s giraffe, large herds of buffalo and an abundance of various plains game. Sightings of leopard resting in the branches of acacia trees are very common though not guaranteed on every safari.

The 40sq. kms. alkaline Lake Nakuru lies within the park and has been given the conservation world’s Ramsar Site designation. As you move further afield into the woods, you find black and white colobus monkey and closer to the escarpment walls and rocky ridges, mountain reedbuck, dik dik, rock hyrax and klipspringer, making game viewing well worth while.

MAASAI MARA

Justifiably one of the most famous reserves in Africa, its’ dominant feature are the great rolling plains of savannah grasslands,

which sustain the greatest variety of wildlife in Africa and indeed in the world. The concentration of game is at its highest from July through October when the Mara is host to the annual migration of more than a million wildebeest.

However, game viewing is excellent year round with giraffe, buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest and Thompson’s gazelle offering a rich choice for the predators lion, leopard and cheetah. It should be noted, however, that during the rainy season, the grass is fairly tall in some areas, which may affect visibility and restrict game drives slightly.

The Maasai people, after whom the park is named, are nomadic. While on game drives, you will often notice young tribesmen herding their cattle amongst the plains game. They are colourfully attired, usually wrapped in bright red cloths, and armed with spears.