Category: 2017

Garden by the Indian Ocean - picture copyright Rupi Mangat

Tiwi twirl at Amare Resort

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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

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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

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Published Nation newspaper Saturday magazine 11 Feb 2017

Bungee-jump on Sagana River that flows into the mighty Tana River with Savage Wildernes
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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Nightlife at Serena Mountain Lodge at the waterhole - the genet comes out to eat on it high perch

Forest Serenade

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at Serena Mountain Lodge on slopes of Mount Kenya

Published Nation newspaper Saturday magazine 4 February 2017

Above: Nightlife at Serena Mountain Lodge at the waterhole – the genet comes out to eat on it high perch. Copyright picture by Maya Mangat

Indigenous forest surounding Serena Mountain Lodge
Indigenous forest surounding Serena Mountain Lodge – Copyright Maya Mangat

Shafts of morning sunlight filter through the canopy of the massive tall trees and spread on the forest floor. The ground is wet with the morning dew, the grass cool and the air so fresh that taking in deep breaths is rejuvenating. It’s forest therapy.

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In the Ndoto Mountains - the beautiful mountain chutes.

Fake Hirola in Ndoto Mountains

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Published Nation newspaper Saturday magazine 28 Jan 2017

Above – Pools in the Ndoto mountains
Copyright Maya Mangat

Walking in the Ndoto mountains
Walking in the Ndoto mountains Copyright Maya Mangat

Enormous tortilis acacias spread their canopy over the beautiful Salato campsite that is a business venture for the local Samburu women of Ngurunit in the Ndoto Mountains. Straddling the banks of the Ngurunit River, it’s cool and we plan to hike upstream into the mountains where water chutes and fresh pools of water are.

Up in the Ndoto mountains
Up in the Ndoto mountains Copyright Maya Mangat

Across the road a cluster of tents is the base for the newly appointed Samburu county rangers and l pop in to ask if there’s anything new to look out for.

“We have lots of wildlife in the forests of the mountains,” tells Henry Lekuyie the ranger. “But the animals are very shy.

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