Paragliding on the Escarpment of Elgeyo-Marakwet

Above: Paragliders on Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment getting ready to take off.
Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 17 February 2018

The sun appears from the eastern sky over the Tugen Hills with the valley straddled between it and the Elgeyo-Marakwet escarpment. A strong wind brews and a group of paragliders ready themselves for the skies.

Paraglider on Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment getting ready to take off. Copyright Rupi Mangat
Paraglider on Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment getting ready to take off. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Dare-devil divers of Cheploge Gorge

Daring divers at Cheploge Gorge preparing for dives. Copyright Rupi Mangat
Daring divers at Cheploge Gorge preparing for dives. Copyright Rupi Mangat

Published Saturday Magazine, Nation newspaper 10 February 2018

A narrow gorge slits the earth below the smooth black road surrounded by the massifs of the Elgeyo-Marakwet that winds its way up to Iten the home of champions who have dominated the stage of world-class runners.

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More Hikes on Taita Hills

Part 2 of 2

Published Saturday magazine Nation media 20 January 2018

Above: The peak of IYale – second highest of Taita Hills
Copyright Rupi Mangat

Older than the age of dinosaurs these hills continue to fascinate nature lovers

Critically endangered bird Taita apalis adult. Copyright Luca Borghesio
Critically endangered bird Taita apalis adult. Copyright Luca Borghesio

With a few more days in the hills with a mission to spot Taita apalis, our next stop is to Ngangao the largest forest block, Vuria the highest peak, followed by Msindunyi a tiny forest block where Dr Luca Borghesio and research assistant Lawrence Wagura – both associates of the National Museum of Kenya – discovered an undocumented population of Taita apalis in 2012. In total, the indigenous forests measure less than five square kilometres.

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Hiking in the Hills of Taita

 

Part 1 of 2

An ancient massif of endemic plants and animals

Published: Saturday magazine, Nation newspaper 13 January 2018

Above: Taita apalis – criticaly endangered – fewer than 200 survive today in fragmented forests of the Taita Hills in an area of five square kilometers (copyright Luca Borghesio)

The mist swirls and whirls, white and dense, hiding and revealing the valleys and peaks of the hills. We’re on a climb to reach the top of the ancient bare rock that tops the forest of Yale in the Taita Hills.

Indigenous plant of the mountains - Lobelia gibberoa on Yale hilltop that is part of Taita Hills. Copyright Rupi Mangat
Indigenous plant of the mountains – Lobelia gibberoa on Yale hilltop that is part of Taita Hills. Copyright Rupi Mangat

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Life at Lodwar

Twixt the desert and the lake

Above Lake Turkana from Eliye Springs Resort – Copyright Rupi Mangat

Publshed Saturday magazine Nation newspaper 6 January 2018

Lake Turkana from Eliye Springs Copyright Rupi Mangat
Lake Turkana from Eliye Springs Copyright Rupi Mangat

I’m in haven floating on the warm waters of the Jade Sea coined by Teleki. It’s the world’s largest permanent lake in the desert and the world’s largest alkaline body officially known as Lake Turkana on the northern reaches of Kenya’s once the ferocious Northern Frontier District.  It’s now a World Heritage Site.

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