Rupi Mangat

Dhow to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park

Published on March 5, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Saturday magazine Nation media 4 March 2017

Dhow by sand bar in Kisite-Mpunguti National Marine Park Copyright Rupi Mangat

In Kisite-Mpunguti National Marine Park Copyright Rupi Mangat

Bottlenose dolphin with young in Kisite-Mpunguti National Marine Park Copyright Rupi Mangat

It’s exciting jumping into a local dhow anchored at Shimoni pier. From where we are the Kenya-Tanzania border is 50 kilometers south at Lunga Lunga. The narrow Wasini Channel separates mainland Africa from the island of Wasini and we set sail for a morning of hopeful sightings of dolphins and snorkelling in the coral gardens of Kisite-Mpunguti.

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Traditonal dhow asail on Lamu seafront, Kenya coast. Picture courtesy Dipesh Pabari

Lamu plastic dhow sails to save oceans

Published on February 26, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Above: Traditional dhow asail on Lamu seafront. Courtesy Dipesh Pabari

Published in The East African, Nation media 25 February-3 March 2017

6-model-of-the-flipflop-covered-dhow-800x600 — A model og the Plastic dhow that will sail from Lamu in Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa – the first journey of its kind – Picture courtesy: Dipesh Pabari

A chance meeting of two high school friends puts in motion something the world has never seen – a life-size plastic dhow to sail Lamu to Cape Town with a message – stop dumping plastic in the ocean.

Lamu Beach clean up. In one day 5 tonnes of plastic debris was removed from the beach. Picture courtesy Dipesh Pabari

Children picking plastic bottles is from the port of Lamu. Picture courtesy Dipesh Pabari

“There’s enough plastic trash in the ocean to make a flotilla,” states Ben Morrison who had an awakening two years ago walking a 10-meter stretch across the beach to the ocean. It was covered in plastic trash. Sailing past were ancient wooden dhows with their lateen sails billowing in the wind that have frequented the east African coast since antiquity.

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Garden by the Indian Ocean - picture copyright Rupi Mangat

Tiwi twirl at Amare Resort

Published on February 25, 2017February 25, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Saturday Magazine, Nation media 25 February 2017

Above: Coconut trees in the lawns by the Indian Ocean – picture copyright Rupi Mangat

An osprey soars over the jagged tooth of the cliff, on the lookout for a fish from the ocean. I take off from my perch at the sunken bar facing the blue ocean to follow its course but the raptor has vanished into thin air.

Amphitheatre for a nice big happy Kenyan wedding by the Ocean – picture copyright Rupi Mangat

Lavish lawns of Amare Tiwi- picture copyright Rupi Mangat

Serene spot in the banda at Amare Tiwi- picture copyright Rupi Mangat

Sunken bar by the beachl picture copyright Rupi Mangat

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Lions rescued outside Nairobi National Park as cubs safely in Nairobi Animal Orphanage

African Wild Dog and more at Nairobi Animal Orphanage

Published on February 18, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Nation newspaper Saturday Magazine 18 February 2017

I’m over the moon – l’ve never seen an African wild dog in the wild when unexpectedly l’m staring at one. I’m so excited because l’ve been everywhere in Kenya where they are seen – Samburu, Laikipia, Kajiado – and never seen it. This poor creature had such bad press in the early 1900s that it was shot on sight by farmers – to the extent that the species nearly went extinct.

The Cheetah at Nairobi Animal Orphanage – Copyright Maya Mangat

A Cheetah cub at Nairobi Animal Orphanage – Copyright Maya Mangat

Talek the leopard rescued from Maasai Mara in Nairobi Animal Orphanage Copyright picture: Maya Mangat

It was only when wildlife researchers began watching their behaviour did they record that the wild dogs were efficient pack hunters and very caring parents. Their soft playful side was captured by Karl Ammann the wildlife photographer, author and now exposing the horrendous illegal trade in wild animals like chimpanzees and other wild life. People did not believe him until he showed photographs of a pack in the Maasai Mara playfully tugging a sheet from him.

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White-water rafting on Sagana River that flows into the mighty Tana River with Savage Wildernes

An adrenaline-filled weekend at Savage Wilderness

Published on February 11, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Nation newspaper Saturday magazine 11 Feb 2017

Bungee-jump on Sagana River that flows into the mighty Tana River with Savage Wilderness

To counter the pulsating rush of adrenalin from white water rafting, l cross over the suspended bridge over the Tana at Sagana Wilderness and head out with Samuel Maina Muruiki to hike the hill in Sagana.

The magnet for the hill is that it has a forest on the crest.

Muruiki points to the huge rock near the top of the hill. “That’s what we’re heading for.”

It looks far away and tiny and with the day turning hotter, the temptation to return to base is strong.

“Persistence does away with resistance,” urges the young man. Humm..

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