africa – Page 4 – Moonlion Safaris

In Nairobi National Park

Published on April 30, 2018May 1, 2018 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Amazing Skies, Savannas and Species

Published Nation newspaper-Saturday magazine 28 April 2018

Above: Impala herd browsing in Nairobi National Park with Nairobi skyline
Copyright Rupi Mangat

IMG_5120 (1280x960) — Wild flowers in bloom in Nairobi National Park Copyright Rupi Mangat

Armed with the colour printout of some common reptiles of Nairobi National Park by the reptilian guru Stephen Spawls, co-author of the amazing 500-page tome of ‘A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa’, we drove in wanting to see some rarities like the Black-necked spitting cobra and Puff adder listed as highly venomous.

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Orchids - indigenous to Kenya - Iphone Copyright Mark Nicholson

Undercover Story at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden

Published on April 23, 2018December 29, 2023 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Iphone mark 142 (1) (600x800) — Indigenous orchid in Kenya – Iphone at Brackenhurst Copyright Mark Nicholson

Above – Orchids – indigenous to Kenya at Brackenhurst in Limuru – Iphone
Copyright Mark Nicholson

Published Nation newspaper Saturday magazine 21 April 2018

“Africa and Madagascar were joined like this,” demonstrates Dr Mark Nicholson of Plants for Life and the person who has recreated the natural forest at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden in Limuru as a model to show that indigenous forests can be restored after removing plantations of exotic trees.

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Nairobi Snake Park

Published on April 14, 2018January 1, 2024 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Face- to-face with Omieri again

Above: Omieri the African rock python in her new glass cage. Notice the burn mark on exreme right that she received in 1987 – which led to her death.
Copyrigt Rupi Mangat

Published: Saturday Magazine Nation newspaper 14 April 2018

In 1987 l went to see Omieri the she-python who suddenly shot to fame on account of having being caught in a fire that left her in very bad health. She was coiled lethargic in her glass cage and succumbed to her wounds on 25^th June 1987. In the passage of time, l forgot about her.

Fast forward to 27^th March 2018.

Thirty years later l’m face-to-face with Omieri again. This time though she’s dead, her long beautifully patterned body in a special glass case and preserved in ethanol. Her burn wound is visible but she’s now a national celebrity on permanent exhibition at the Nairobi Snake Park thanks to a young woman called Diana Injendi.

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Nestled in Naivasha

Published on March 24, 2018 by Rupi Mangat2 Comments

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 24 March 2018

Above: Hippos ashore. Copyright Rupi Mangat

It’s late returning to Nairobi from upcountry. We find a campsite to spend the night on the fringes of the freshwater Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Great Rift Valley lakes in Kenya. There’s just enough daylight for a walk around the papyrus-lined shore with the hippos honking, preparing to come ashore to dine for the night.

The papyrus ruffles in the evening breeze. It is an amazing plant. Ancient Egyptians used it to make their scrolls that today show their ancient past. In terms of eco-services, the papyrus is home to wildlife like fish, birds and hippos. The green plant also stabilizes water levels and moderates temperatures around lakes and rivers. Yet today there’s less than 10 per cent around Lake Naivasha.

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The Story of Gedi

Published on March 17, 2018 by Rupi MangatLeave a comment

Published: Saturday Magazine, Nation newspaper 17 March 2018

Above: The Palace in Gedi Copyright Rupi Mangat

In the eventide, a skein of white wings glide over the blue of Watamu Bay to settle on the huge jagged Hemingway rock. Curious, l zoom in on the birds that appear as dots with the naked eye, l get my shots and send them to the birders.

IMG_4536 (800x600) — Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) that breed in the Arctic Circle at Watamu bay February 2018 – flying in to breed here after a flight of 7000 km Copyright Rupi Mangat

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