2018 – Page 8 – Moonlion Safaris

Jade & Silver

Published on June 2, 2018 by Rupi Mangat1 Comment

A walk with Kenyan artist Camille Wekesa on her current exhibition titled Jade & Silver

Above: Camille Wekesa at her art exhibition Jade & Silver with the Jade Sea (Lake Turkana) and the shades of the petrified forest by the lake.

Published in The East African Nation media 2 June-8 June 2018

Camille is sophistication personified and a walk with her around her current exhibition which was exhibited at Muthaiga Country Club this month (May), showcases two diverse Kenyan landscapes she’s painted using different media. Having studied art in Italy, she’s held several exhibitions around the world.

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Lion by its kill in Tsavo West Copyright Rup Mangat

Tsavo in the Rain

Published on June 2, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

With the vultures watching

White-backed Vultures atop the trees by the side of the red road of Tsavo Copyright Rupi Mangat

The White-backed Vultures atop the trees by the side of the red road of Tsavo give the game away. There has to be something in the sea of grass. We stop. It’s stunning scenery – a low ridge of black lava outcrop, long luscious grass topped with purple heads and one of the conical hills that make the Five Sisters. Continue reading “Tsavo in the Rain” →

Chyulu Hills from Kilaguni Serena Lodge in Tsavo West Copyright Rupi Mangat

Chasing Chameleons on Chyulu Hills

Published on May 26, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Above: Chyulu Hills from Kilaguni Serena Lodge in Tsavo West Copyright Rupi Mangat

rediscovered the Chyulu Hills Chameleon_01 (800x517) — Rediscovered Chyulu Hills Blade-horned Chameleon that hadn’t been seen in nearly 40 years in Chyulu Hills (and considered extinct and found by Spawls in April 2018) Copyright Stephen Spawls

“Look out for chameleons on every tree and bush,” l asked the Kenya Wildlife Service ranger as we drove very carefully through the tall lush grass growing over what is supposed to be the road. Heavy grey clouds sat atop the stately peaks of the Chyulu Hills draped luscious green.

The ranger looked at me incredulously.

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The ancient crystalline rock face of Ngangao some 260 million years oldTaita Hills - in the time of the dinosaurs. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Held in the Rain in Ngangao

Published on May 19, 2018May 19, 2018 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

On the magical mist mountains of Taita Hills

Above: The ancient crystalline rock face of Ngangao some 260 million years old in Taita Hills – during the time of the dinosaurs.
Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper, 19 May 2018

Taita Thrush in neighbouring Yale forest where there are 2 pairs - copyright Luca Borghesio — **Taita Thrush in neighbouring Yale forest where there are 2 pairs in 2015 – copyright Luca Borghesio**

“It’s the nest of Taita thrush,” whispers Handrison Mwameso, the guide from Dawida Biodiversity Conservation group (DABICO). We’re inside Ngangao forest on the high peaks of the magical Taita Hills in southeast Kenya. We’ve walked a few metres from our campsite into the forest entering though a narrow path shaded by a bunch of Phoenix reclinata, a common palm tree here.

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Vuria

Published on May 12, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi Mangat2 Comments

Searching for the skulls caves in Taita Hills

Published: 12 May 2018 Saturday Nation magazine Nation newspaper, Kenya

Above: Taita Hills – the magical mist mountains – copyright Rupi Mangat

Moss and lichens on Vuria in Taita Hills – copyright Rupi Mangat

Wild plants of Vuria in Taita Hills – copyright Rupi Mangat

Wild flowers on Vuria in Taita Hills – copyright Rupi Mangat

The plan is to enjoy the indigenous forest of Vuria. I have no intention of puffing up to the peak which is the highest of the Taita Hills and the highest point at the coast reaching 2,228 metres (7,310 ft). But we lose the group in the forest. Trying to find it, we’re on the peak a few hours later, looking at the plains below. The mission was to search for the legendary skull caves of the Taita people.

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