The Aberdare Mountain Ranges

Located in Central Kenya, the Aberdare Ranges span 160km in length and a maximum height of 3994m above sea level. They are one of the major and most fabulous natural tourist attractions. They are a natural habitat for diverse range of nature, hosting both flora and Fiona. They are on of the few remaining natural sanctuaries for indigenous trees such as the Mugumo, camphor, oak among, many others. There is also lots of wildlife. The ranges’ most significance is its capacity as an instrumental and integral water catchment area, providing water to the environs near and far from it. It is a source for many rivers, most of which flow into lakes far and wide and others into the Indian Ocean.

The lake Ol-borosat rests near its foot on the Western side. The lake is a magnificent site, full of life, courtesy of the thousands of birds and scores of hippos that have this for a home. There are also very many species of insects. However, its diameter varies from season to season, depending on the intensity of rain.

The ranges provide a breathtaking view even form the distance. One catches a whole glimpse of the spectacle, right from its foot, its sleep slopes which are covered in vegetation, to its mountain top that seems to touch the sky. On the North Western side, the vast Aberdare National park hosts a diverse range of wild animals, from the fierce carnivores to the meek gazelle. The Elephant is one of the Big Five that you are most likely to come across while here on your Kenya Safari. The park hosts an estimated 2000 of these huge beasts. One can view them very closely because they are used to tourist’s cars. Some more animals to find here include bongo, dikdik, waterbuck, warthog, bush pig and so much more. There are also very many species of birds.

The rivers in the ranges flow along quite a number of river falls and rapids. These features provide lovely picnic sites, because of their scenic views and the unforgettable roaring sound of splashing water as it hits the rocks at their feet. The slopes have rich growth of vegetation, including tall trees, bushes and undergrowth. The most notable vegetation cover is the thick growth of the bamboo forests.

Anyone who likes mountain climbing will most definitely love this ranges. There are a number of peaks, the first being the peak of despair, buffalo, elephant and the highest being satima. While standing on these peaks, one is enjoys the beautiful view below, with one being able to spot a number of towns. One can start here while preparing for Mount Kenya climbing.

Several luxurious lodges host tourists who visit around, among them being TreeTops, Outspan and others. Treetops hosted Elizabeth II on the night she became Queen of the United Kingdom. Another legendary story related to the Aberdare ranges is that of the Rogue elephant of the Aberdare. The bull elephant attacked villages and terrorized humans and did not to attack a village more than once, making it very difficult to know its movements. It was however killed later on by J.A. Hunter.

Luxury Safari to Thompson's Falls Kenya

One of the top destinations for luxury travel, honeymoon travel or Family safari in Kenya is Thompson’s falls. It is located in Nyahururu town which is about 180km from Nairobi. It also happens to be along the road that leads to Samburu National park, from Nakuru, and hence one can make a stop over while enroute to another lovely tourist destination, which hosts lots of wildlife, birds and natural vegetation. The falls is along the River Ewaso Narok which springs from the slopes Aberdare Mountain Ranges. Its height is about 72m. The name comes from the Joseph Thompson a geologist from Scotland, who turned out to be first European to come across it.

The is an artificial view point, where nature lovers can enjoy the scenic view that the magnificent falling water present notwithstanding the unforgettable sound of the dropping water as it comes into contacts with the rocks. A descent to the foot of the falls would be a fun expedition from where you watch the water falling and splashing from above. The setting is evergreen with indigenous trees, providing a cool shade. It also provides a natural habitat for birds and baboons and hence one can enjoy the sight of the lovely weavers and sparrows while listening to them chirp, not forgetting the baboons swinging from tree to tree amidst their chattering.

There is a beautiful lawn with well cut grass near the view point. It also comes with wooden and stone curved benches where tourists can relax, under the shades of the towering trees. There are also plenty of swings and slides where children can play. Activities to engage in while here include short camel rides, dancing with locals dressed in Traditional African wear, holding mock weapons such as spears, machetes and clubs. One can also buy curio, paintings, clothing, ornaments and other African art from the nearby curio shops.

The Thompson Falls Lodge is a luxurious hotel which offers incredibly delicious meals. The service here is top class plus lots of other facilities. There are posh lounges with fireplaces for warmth during the nights. Here, one can relax while listening to the splashing water in the nearby distance. It would be a perfect place to have honeymoon in Kenya or a quiet and relaxed holiday while in Kenya.

There is also a hippo view point upstream. The enormous beasts are best viewed in the evenings when they emerge to the surface of the water in readiness of grazing later on in the night. One will certainly enjoy as the hippos come to the surface of the water, take a deep breath and disappear below again. There is also the occasional opening of their huge mouths wide enough to immerse a human head, in a show of might and intimidation. The pool hosts over 30 hippos.

A considerable distance from Nyahururu town is the Lake Ol-borosat, which also hosts lots of hippos and birds. There is also the Aberdare National Park which harbors various wild animals such elephants, buffaloes, impalas, antelopes, kongonis, dikdiks, zebras and so much more. The slopes of the Aberdare Mountains are also very clearly visible.

Hunting techniques of African Predators

Fierce predators roam in the Kenyan jungles and savannah searching for prey. Lovers of travel, nature and wildlife can catch these and more while on safari to some of Kenya’s National parks, which are among the best tourist destinations in Africa. Read more and get to know the techniques employed by some of the best hunters in the jungle.

Lion

Lions stalk their unsuspecting prey till they are within a reasonable distance to pounce because they are not as fast as other predators. They are also known to wait close to spots where preys frequently visit such at water holes. The savannah environment, which is composed of tall brown grasses help the lions to camouflage, aiding their hunting. However, lions are known not to factor in wind direction, and will approach prey even from the side the wind is blowing from, which is a major undoing. They breed in prides, made up of closely related females and their cubs and a maximum of 3 males. The females engage in most of the hunting and work as a team.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are extremely rapid hunters. They eat fish, birds and mammals. A crocodile lies close to the water surface and pounce on an unsuspecting prey that will usually have come to drink water. It grabs they victim’s neck, pull it into the water as it twists to drown it. Crocodiles bring down even animals as large as buffaloes and elephants. At times, they hunt in packs of about five where they kill prey as big as hippos or rhinoceros. In Kenya’s Masai Mara, crocodiles kill lots of wildebeests and zebras, especially as they cross the River Mara, during the annual wildebeest migration.

Cheetah

Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land. This primarily aids in their hunting as they catch animals that other hunters cannot. They are however sprinters and hence cannot run for long distances. They will therefore approach the prey stealthily, usually downwind. Cheetahs are disadvantaged by their small sized body. They are also very shy and cowardly. Wild dogs, hyenas or even lions that may have been watching the ensuing drama will snatch they kill, even before the cheetah catches its breath.

Leopard

Leopards hunt by themselves usually at night. They are very solitary animals. Their diet mainly comprises monkeys and ungulates. They may also eat fish, rodents and amphibians. A Leopard stalks their prey stealthily and pounces when extremely close enough. It will then drag the kill to the top of a tree, where it feeds slowly, probably even more than a day. This makes it difficult for other predators to steal the kill or disturb it.

Wild dogs

Wild dogs hunt in packs, which can be up to 20 members. They can reach a speed of 50km/hr. They mainly prey on antelopes but can bring down even zebras and wildebeests if the pack is bigger. They work as a team when hunting. Some dogs will chase close and directly while others will be on both sides running not very fast and will take over the direct chase when the prey starts for the direction they are in. They prey will tire soon and slow down, and present the chance for the pack to catch it.

Hyenas

Although known to scavenge on the remains of dead animals, hyenas also hunt on their own. Their hind legs are short and their hearts are bigger than even lions’, enabling them to be long distance runners. They will therefore chase a prey for a long distance, running at a moderate speed. The prey will eventually tire and hence get caught.

You can catch these predators while on holiday in Kenya, where there are also lots of other activities to engage in such as hot air balloon rides in Kenya, Mount Kenya climbing, among others.

Kenya: Home to the most beautiful Birds

Welcome to Kenya, and find hundreds of bird species. They range from birds of prey to seed eaters to nut crackers to flightless birds and so much more. The birds, with all their glory, beauty and habits while in their natural setting, make Kenya a bird watcher’s paradise to those who are lovers of our feathered counterparts. The list below displays a just but a few of the many birds that Kenya offers. Next time you are on Kenya safari, have a keen eye on them.

Cranes

These are large, beautiful, terrestrial birds with long necks and legs, found in marshes and grasslands. They have short tails and some species have ornamental crests. The sexes pair and perform nuptial dances but they at times form large flocks. They maintain sustained flight with their heads and necks held below the hunch-backed appearance. They eat insects, small animals and seeds.

Horn Bills

The hornbill’s main notable feature is the casqued beak. They have short legs, are usually black and white, with their bills and necks having bright colors. They have long eyelashes, relatively short wings but their tails are long. Their main diet comprises fruits and berries but insects could also fall in their menu. After mating, the female hornbill stays the nest that is built on a tree or cliff using mud, leaving a minute cavity whose purpose is for the male to feed her and the young ones for some weeks until they are capable of flying.

Crows

Crows have patches of grey, brown or white but they are mainly black. Their bills and feet are heavy and strong. They eat animal matter, seeds fruits and grains. They have broad wings and flap steadily while they are flying. Their nests are large and are made of sticks. Crows are unmistakably known for their loud raucous calls.

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers tap on wood and bark of trees, searching for insects, and catch them with their sticky tongues. Their beaks are hard and shaped like a chisel. Their tail feathers are stiff and pointed and this provides support while they are on tree trunks. Still, support is boosted by sharp claws with which they cling on trunk.

King Fishers

Range from small or medium sized species. They possess heavy and pointed bills. Their legs are short. They are mainly found near water bodies and fish constitutes their main diet. They are excellent divers and make for the kill with great speeds and expertise. There are however some species that inhabit places far from water bodies and they feed on insects.

Owls

Owls are large eyed nocturnal raptors. They prey very silently, but have distinctive hoots and remain highly vocal during times with full moon periods. Owls can turn their necks round to 180 degrees. The sexes are usually similar. They are mainly found in woodland and forest edges.

Parrots

Parrots are bright and colorful and they have strong beaks for breaking nuts. Their legs are short and the first and fourth toes directly face backwards. They mostly have short tails and their flight is fast with shallow wing beats. They are very loud and noisy and nest in tree cavities.

Weavers

Weavers are small birds with short hard bills that are meant to feed on seeds. They range diversely in color and at times some species change seasonally. The species also have varying habitats and breeding habits. Some are solitary with others breeding colonially. All the same all construct distinctive nests.

In Conclusion

You can catch all these birds and more in their natural settings while on a tour in Kenya. Those that inhabit woodlands and grasslands can be spotted in areas around national parks such as Masai Mara, Samburu, Amboseli, among others. Those that reside near water masses e.g. Kingfishers can be found in areas such as Lake Naivasha, Bogoria, Nakuru and so on. Other activities to do while on Safari in Kenya include Mount Kenya climbing, Hot air balloon rides, Masai Mara safari, beach holidays, and so much more.

Bull Fighting in Kakamega

There’s much to see and do in Western Kenya. One is bull fighting. Bull fighting in Western Kenya takes place among the Idakho people, which is a sub tribe of the larger Luhya community. It involves two bulls taking on each other, with thousands of spectators cheering on, and blowing traditional horns.

The bulls are prepared adequately for the occasion, having been fed adequately and prevented from mating heifers. Before the D-day, they are fed with traditional beer, and mixtures of other ingredients and substances, to provoke them. The owners also keep them under tight watch to avoid rivals from “casting evil spells”.

They are then led to the field to counter each other. The battle lasts from 4 to 30 minutes and the losing one flees. This poses danger to the on looking spectators as the run-away bull can heavily injure someone as it flees. The owner of the winning bull receives a cash price. Later on, celebrations are done with locals enjoying the local traditional brew.

Other spectacles to enjoy around Western Kenya include the Kakamega Forest Reserve, which is host to various species of butterflies, birds, monkeys, snakes and other reptiles.

There are also the crying Stones which were used by the community for religious ceremonies. The Lwanda Magere stone in Western Kenya is found along the Chemelil-Nandi Road. It is believed that the body of the legendary Luo warrior Lwanda Magere turned into a rock when a spear pierced his shadow during battle.

Such would be nice places to visit while on a family safari in Kenya. It would also give you some pleasure to enjoy a balloon ride in Kenya, probably to the Masai Mara, where you could watch lots of wildlife from a bird’s eye view, and even the spectacular Wildebeest migration.

Where the Law of Gravity is defied

Ever heard of a place where water flows upwards by itself. Visit Kyamlo, a place in Eastern Kenya. My friends and I decided to visit this famous place near Machakos, about 60km from Nairobi. We set out from the hotel at 11am and drove to Kyamlo, which is located 15km on the Kangundo road off Machakos road. We passed various villages and shopping centers, spotting some fascinating traditional architectural designs and since it was on a Sunday morning, the local people were rushing to and from church service.

Halfway through, one passes the Machakos Golf club, a fine place for those with a thing for golf. After 30 minutes of driving we finally reached the particular point. I could not help keeping my anticipation at bay. We were met by some young men who hang around waiting for curious visitors and demonstrate to them what happens. First, one of them fetched some water and poured it on the road. To our amazement and disbelief, instead of it flowing downhill, it flows uphill. A friend of mine threw a soda can on the ground and it rolled upwards. Unbelievable! Right? But wait and read what happens next. A certain driver disengaged the gear from his car and lowered its hand brake. One could only gaze and utter words in disbelief as man followed his driverless machine up the hill.

While there, one can enjoy a fascinating aerial view of homesteads that are built down hill, a small forest nearby and a cool mountainous breeze. One can also do some rock climbing and pose for what could be spectacular photos. This would be a lovely place to visit, especially while on a safari from Mombasa.

By Wambui Gitau.

Fun-day with reptiles

It’s such a spectacle to view a reptile at closer quarters. Probably even touch it. Imagine yourself on the banks of a crocodile infested river somewhere in the African wild. And you are standing 3ft from a fierce and menacing looking, 2m long crocodile. Well, that’s just about the experience, if you visit the Mamba Village. Located in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, Mamba village is home to scores of crocodiles, big and small, young and old. It is one of the places you must visit while on a Nairobi excursion.

Near the entrance, a caged pond hosts about 20 young ones. They lie around looking so innocent. It is just hard to believe that they will one day grow to be fierce killers, like we well know of our scaly counterparts. A guide jumps across the 1m high meshed wall into the cage and gets hold of one. He gets hold of it by both hands near the head and the tail. He then moves closer to the cage’s wall where tourists are watching and acts as if to throw the young crocodile at the crowd. People move back amidst fear and laughter. He then welcomes all to touch the reptile. Its skin is soft like a leather jacket. Not what you’d have had in mind. Its teeth are so minute, but still look dangerous. A saw of a kind. The guide explains that the 2ft long young one is 12 years old! You are left wondering how old the elder ones are.

We move on to a cage with bigger and older ones. There are over 20 in one cage alone. Another guide is explaining the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. An alligator has a wide snout which is U-shaped, while a crocodile has a long, narrow V-shaped snout. In addition, a crocodile’s teeth are always visible even with its mouth closed which is not the case with an alligator’s.

One just looks at the sight with a mixture of awe and excitement. One crocodile is submerged in water with only its snout and upper side of its head outside. Robert, my travel companion says it looks like a log. True enough. Others lie on the concrete floor, their eyes fixed into the distance. One can swear that they are lost in thought.

A sign board says that feeding time is at 4.30pm. It’s an hour till then. Too bad we have other places to go to and hence we’ll miss the show. We then take a walk around. There is a large pond and visitors are riding boats that are propelled by the act of cycling. It seems so much fun. We take photos by the pond. These are moments that have to go on record.

Next to the pond, there is a shop selling African Art. In the distance, there is a balloon tab and children are having fun in its shallow water. It’s time for us to leave. It was such a great time. We will definitely be coming back.