Safari Stories – Page 32 – Moonlion Safaris

Grey Crowned Crane on its nest Copyright: International Crane Foundation / Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership

Cranes of Ol Bolossat

Published on June 17, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published Saturday magazine, Nation media 17 June 2017

Above: Grey Crowned Crane on its nest
Copyright: International Crane Foundation / Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership

The only big lake in central Kenya is one of the last strong hold of the gorgeous Grey Crowned Crane

Flock of Grey crowned cranes by Lake Ol Bolossat in the shadows of the Aberdaresin central Kenya Copyright Rupi Mangat — Flock of Grey crowned cranes by Lake Ol Bolossat in the shadows of the Aberdares in central Kenya Copyright Rupi Mangat

It’s busy, busy, busy with 500 Grey Crowned Cranes in front of us pecking for grains on the recently harvested wheat field by the shores of Lake Ol Bolossat stretched in the shadows of the Aberdares.

Grey Crowned Cranes pair for life Courtesy: International Crane Foundation / Endangered Wildlife Trust Partnership

“The Grey Crowned cranes are here all the time,” tells George Ndung’u, founder of the Nyahururu Bird Club, Olbolossat Biodiversity Conservation Group and of recent, the Crane Conservation Volunteers.

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Southrern white rhino female and her calf at Lewa Conservancy with Mount Kenya as a backdrop Copyright Rupi Mangat

Lewa Life

Published on June 13, 2017January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

In Kenya’s Northern rangelands it’s home to amazing wildlife

Published Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 10 June 2017

Above: Southrern white rhino female and her calf at Lewa Conservancy with Mount Kenya as a backdrop – Copyright Rupi Mangat

From the high peaks of Mount Kenya to the plains at Lewa -copyright Rupi Mangat

From the high slopes of Mount Kenya, the northern rangelands fill the horizon with massif peaks and plains. Driving over the under pass on the main road before turning in to Lewa and Isiolo, elephants walk through it safely migrating between the low arid plains of the north and the high slopes of Mount Kenya.

Ngiri House at Lewa -copyright Rupi Mangat

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On the Isles of Lamu – Pate Island

Published on June 10, 2017January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Part 3 of 3

Published 3 June 2017 Saturday magazine Nation media

It’s a dream world.

We sail past a forest of the tallest mangrove trees that l’ve ever seen. Sparkling white sand bars appear in the low tide. It’s an endless blue planet from where we are when suddenly a dolphin slips in and out – too far to tell what species it is.

Captain Lalli, of Kenya Wildlife Service Maya Mangat and Kiki Aarts of Subira House Lamu - picnic at sea sailing to Pate island Copyright Maya Mangat — Captain Lalli, of Kenya Wildlife Service Maya Mangat and Kiki Aarts of Subira House Lamu – picnic at sea sailing to Pate island Copyright Maya Mangat

Towards midday Captain Lalli stops to refuel the tank and produces delicious, juicy mangoes – an impromptu picnic on the ocean.

Sailing on, he points to Faza, then Ndau – once powerful and independent sultanates on the island of Pate. We pass a Kenya Navy patrol dinghy and then get off at Mtangawanda, a tiny ‘port’ so named because it has black sand on its shores.

Landing at Mwangawanda (the place of black soil) to catch matatu to Pate village on Pate island Copyright Maya Mangat

Sailing through a storm on Indian Ocean to Pate island Copyright Maya Mangat

Fisherman on Pate island Copyright Rupi Mangat

Fresh catch of the day on Pate island Copyright Maya Mangat

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The secluded bay at Kiunga Marine National Reserve about 20 km from south Somalia Copyright Maya Mangat

On the Isles of Lamu

Published on May 30, 2017May 30, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Kiunga Marine National Reserve

Part 2 of 3

Published 27 May 2017 Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper

Arriving at Mkokoni village by Kiunga Marina National Reserve — Saiiling to Mkokoni village by Kiunga Marina National Reserve Copyright Maya Mangat

A grand sweep of the bay edged by fascinating sand dunes tower the ocean’s chalk-white beach. We’re in sight of Kiwayu, one of the smaller islands opposite the KWS headquarters of Kiunga Marine National Reserve. It’s taken us two hours to sail here in a speedboat from Siyu on Pate island.

In the late afternoon, stepping ashore at Mkokoni village named after the mangrove trees – it’s quaint lined with swaying coconut trees and makuti-thatched huts of the Bajuni. The men are out at sea with only the women, children and the elders.

Sunset over Boni-Dodori. Since 2014, it’s listed as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by Nature Kenya and Birdlife International because of its diversity Copyright

Tall mangrove trees near Mkokoni, Kiunga Marine National Reserve Copyright Maya Mangat

Grand sweep of the bay at Kiunga Marine National Reserve Copyright Maya Mangat

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Siyu Fort - the only fort known to have been built by the locals under the thriving sultanate of Bwana Mataka bin Oman Famau in the 19th century - Pate Island. Copyright: Maya Mangat

On the Isles of Lamu

Published on May 20, 2017 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Part 1 of 3

Above: Siyu Fort is the only fort known to have been built by the locals under the thriving sultanate of Bwana Mataka bin Oman Famau in the 19th century -copyright picture Maya Mangat.

It’s neap tide.

Captain Lalli of Kenya Wildlife Service, carefully steering his speedboat christened, Pweza for octopus through the narrow mangrove han.

Reaching Siyu through the mangrove channal -copyright picture Maya Mangat.

Reaching Siyu at low tide with dhow on the banks-copyright picture Maya Mangat.

Captain Lalli of Kenya Wildlife Service, with whom l sailed five years ago to Kiunga Marine National Reserve is at the Lamu pier in his speedboat christened, Pweza for octopus. As the crow flies or the turtle swims, it’s a distance of 50 kilometers northwards. The 270 square-kilometer marine reserve borders the south side of Somalia.

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