Category: 2016

Amboseli elephant and wildebeest

Drama of the Drought in Amboseli

Published on by Rupi Mangat1 Comment

Part 1 of 2

21 October 2016

Published Nation newspaper 19 November 2016

A dry lake bed catches the eye near Iremeto Gate into Amboseli National Park off the Emali Road. On a whim, we decide to take a walk over the small hill to the dry pan that looks similar to the dry Lake Amboseli inside the park in the shadow of Kilimanjaro.

Months-old dry elephant dung near a waterless lake outside Amboseli National Park Copyright Maya Mangat
On the trail of the elephant dung Copyright Maya Mangat
To the dry lake bed outside Amboseli National Park Copyright Maya Mangat

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The Ark

The Ark of the Aberdares

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14 September 2016

Of waterfalls and the Salient at night

The animals begin to arrive at the Ark. More than two at a time. And the stage is set at the salient for the evening’s entertainment. Of the two thousand elephants in the Aberdares, there’s a herd of twenty at the waterhole. The baby in the family fits squarely under the belly between its mother’s legs. It’s a beautiful scene with the floodlights of the Ark and the full moon.

The elephant family nudge clumps of soil with their toes to lick the salt on the salient. A huge male blows a trunk-full of dust over itself while some in the herd dangle their trunks in the waterhole for a drink.

Black rhino killed by elephant in front of Ark lodge on night of 6th May 1979 Copyright picture Rupi Mangat
Chania waterfall in the Aberdares Copyright picture Luca Borghesio

Meanwhile, a pair of Grey crowned cranes – a bird that’ increasingly rare to find – come to the swamp as do the night birds. An owl hoots and lands on the rock by the water pool. The elephant family leave just as a trio of Spotted hyenas lumber in. They play amongst themselves and lie down to rest for some time before something catches their attention. It’s a family of the Giant forest hog busy foraging on the lush scrub around the Ark. The Giant hogs weighing up to 150 kilograms outstare the hyenas and the show is over as the hyenas skulk away.

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Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria Safari Village

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September 2016 Published 12 November 2016

At Mbita Point by Victoria’s shores

The lighthouse at Lake Victoria Safari Village – love to sleep in it Copyright picture by Maya Mangat

Lights flicker in the dark as lanterns appear on the lake. At first it seems like city lights being turned on. It’s a spectacular sight, the fishermen spreading their nets in the lake, attached to floating lanterns whose light will lure the tiny omena into them.

We’re standing high on the only light house at Lake Victoria Safari Village on the shores of Winam Gulf – an extension of Lake Victoria on the northeastern side. The lights increase filling the horizon and look amazing while the sky sparkles with constellations, the Scorpian unfurling its tail in the dark night.

Sailing to Sindo past the volcanic Gembe Hill
Sailing to Sindo past the volcanic Gembe Hill – the lakebed has a layer of volcanic rubble Copyright picture by Maya Mangat

It’s a beautiful night with a breeze but for the fishermen it’s a hard life having to battle the waves and the winds.

Sleeping in the Light House is amazing – built by Odd Bredo, a structural engineer – using a toy model for proportions.

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Kinale Forest Southern Aberdare- flowers in bloom

Flower Power of Kinale

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September 2016

On the southern stretch of the Aberdares

Driving up the escarpment road to Lari, the big valley drops – which of course is the Great Rift. We’re at its highest point along the Nairobi-Naivasha Highway and with the morning mist cleared and the sun shining bright, Longonot’s wide yawn and volcanic ridges show wide.

Checking on Google Earth, we’re on the Gatundu-Kinare road about a kilometer from Kijabe town.

Elephant hill that is one of the peaks of the Aberdares from Kinale forest Copyright Karin Fueg
Kinale Forest Aberdares Copyright Karin Fueg

Stepping out of the car by the clutter of signposts that point to Kijabe Hospital, the Kenya Forest Service and Kinale forest, the patch of planted forest is inviting and while we wait for the rest of the group, a stroll through the forest is refreshing.

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Sita Snake Park, Watamu, Kenya

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Published on Jul 2, 2016

Jackson Mwamure is the Snake Man of Mida Creek Watamu Kenya. He has a genuine love for these amazing reptiles, who are more friend than foe to humans. Sita Snake Park is a collection of a variety of reptiles are found in this beautiful UN Protected Biosphere Area. The Park is open to the public and everyone can appreciate the snakes, tortoises and a chameleon, in a safe environment, approved by Kenya Wildlife Service.

Learn more about reptiles – and visit Sita Snake Park when in Watamu.