Rupi Mangat

Nestled in Naivasha

Published on March 24, 2018 by Rupi Mangat2 Comments

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 24 March 2018

Above: Hippos ashore. Copyright Rupi Mangat

It’s late returning to Nairobi from upcountry. We find a campsite to spend the night on the fringes of the freshwater Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Great Rift Valley lakes in Kenya. There’s just enough daylight for a walk around the papyrus-lined shore with the hippos honking, preparing to come ashore to dine for the night.

The papyrus ruffles in the evening breeze. It is an amazing plant. Ancient Egyptians used it to make their scrolls that today show their ancient past. In terms of eco-services, the papyrus is home to wildlife like fish, birds and hippos. The green plant also stabilizes water levels and moderates temperatures around lakes and rivers. Yet today there’s less than 10 per cent around Lake Naivasha.

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The Story of Gedi

Published on March 17, 2018 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published: Saturday Magazine, Nation newspaper 17 March 2018

Above: The Palace in Gedi Copyright Rupi Mangat

In the eventide, a skein of white wings glide over the blue of Watamu Bay to settle on the huge jagged Hemingway rock. Curious, l zoom in on the birds that appear as dots with the naked eye, l get my shots and send them to the birders.

IMG_4536 (800x600) — Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) that breed in the Arctic Circle at Watamu bay February 2018 – flying in to breed here after a flight of 7000 km Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Amazing Arror

Published on March 14, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi Mangat2 Comments

Published:Saturday magazine Nation newspaper 10 March 2018

IMG_4197 (800x600) — The water furrows rush down the Cherangani Hills ay Arror Copyright Rupi Mangat

Water gushes down the hills of the Cheranganis at Arror. It’s picturesque in the setting sun with the village kids escorting us to the centuries-old furrows that were dug by their ancestors for fresh water to reach the dry plains.

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Migration in Mara

Published on March 6, 2018 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published June 2014 Saturday Magazine, Nation newspaper

Above: Wildebeest put their heads together in the Maasai Mara. Photo/Rupi Mangat

wildebeest and zebra in mara — Photo/Rupi Mangat. We got a front row view of the world-famous annual wildebeest migration at the

It’s finally here. The time we all wait for. Thousands of wildebeest are streaming into the Mara, a massive mass of comical gnus grunting and snorting, chomping down the grass and creating a feast for the carnivores. It’s the annual migration.

lioness — Lions at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Photo/Rupi Mangat

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Chebara dam, 34 kilometers from Iten, it was opened in 1999 by the then president – Moi.

Revealing Rimoi

Published on March 4, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 3 March 2018

Above: Chebara dam, 34 kilometers from Iten, it was opened in 1999 by the then president – Moi.

From Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet in western Kenya, the itinerary is set for Rimoi National Reserve along the new route that’s been chiselled down the Cherangani Hills. We have the option to turn right for Arror or left for Rimoi or Kamnarok national reserves.

At Chebara dam - 75-meter deep tunnel winding its way to the connecting underground passage to surface some meters away Copyright Rupi Mangat — At Chebara dam – 75-meter deep tunnel winding its way to the connecting underground passage to surface some meters away Copyright Rupi Mangat

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