LAKE MAGADI

Lake Magadi, Kenya’s most southerly Rift Valley lake, covers over 100 sq kms and has a distinctive pink and white colour formed by crystallized alkaline soda deposits. Located in a semi desert area, Magadi‘s temperature hovers in the upper 30s on most days and a series of hot springs around the lake’s periphery intermittently spray water from the ground at temperatures of 45ºC.

The birdlife is very good, particularly at certain times of the year when up to 20,000 lesser flamingos arrive to line the shores. The vivid colours also provide some interesting photographic opportunities.
There are no lodges at Lake Magadi and it is very rarely visited by tourists, however it is fairly easy to get to by road from Nairobi. ITt is also possible to camp in the area,

TSAVO ELEPHANT PENCIL DRAWING

Gordon Shaw -pencil drawing

MASAAI LAND

RHINOCHARGING AS A SPECTATOR BY FRANCOIS

 The first thing to do is to find a 4x4 that belongs to someone else as it is pretty hard on the vehicle.
Then add two girls and a case of beer.
A GPS will also help but it is a good idea to find someone who is keen on navigating and not photography and you are done and dusted.
Enjoy the charge pictures.. the Nissan was kindly donated by Dicky Leach, Francois kindly did some driving and a lot of patient instruction with Beaver doing the photography...... it was a spectacular ending to a great weekend......................
Did I mention putting up useless camps.... better not then
Bickering birds... naaah!!!
The beer was cold and the scenery spectacular... Magadi is worth a trip

Kenyan wildlife random pictures by Mark Creane

THE RED TSAVO ELEPHANTS

Tsavo Elephant Population


The elephant population within the Tsavo Ecosystem is the largest and thus most important in Kenya. Tsavo is home to approximately 11,600 elephants (2008), about one-third of all the elephants in Kenya.
Tsavo Ecosystem
The Tsavo Ecosystem (40,000 km²) is located in the south-eastern region of Kenya. This vast area is comprised of the protected areas of Tsavo East National Park (13,747 km²), Tsavo West National Park (6,586 km²), Chyulu National Park and Mkomozi National Park in Tanzania. The remaining area is comprised of national reserve, wildlife sanctuaries, livestock ranches, settlements, agriculture, mining and towns.
The Tsavo National Park was established on 1st April, 1948 and is located about 200km south east of Nairobi and is the closest large National Park to Mombasa and makes the ideal safari location if you are staying on the coast anywhere around Mombasa, Bamburi beach or Malindi.
Split in half by the Nairobi to Mombasa road, the Tsavo National park in Kenya has an area of 8035 square miles, which means that it covers an area larger than Wales and is much bigger than the more famous Masai Mara National Park. To the east of the main Nairobi-Mombasa road lies Tsavo East and on the western side... you guest it: Tsavo West.

The two parks are very different and generally Tsavo West has a more varied topography and a more diverse array of habitats than Tsavo East. Tsavo West consists mainly of semi-arid plains, granite outcrops and ancient lava fields. The highest and most impressive is the Ngulia Mountain, which stands at almost 6000ft high. It is far more visited that Tsavo East, to which much is closed to the general puplic although there is still such a vast amount to see this should not put you off from visiting it. Tsavo East does not have the mountains and hills of Tsavo West and the park cosists mostly of dry, flat thorn-bush scrub, which is occasionally broken by the green vegetation of the Galana river and other smaller seasonal rivers that run through the National Park.
For most of the year Tsavo is dry and dusty and is where the term the Red Elephants of Tsavo comes from, but after the rains the National park is transformed almost over night, with new grasses, and a fantastic array of wild flowers, like the pink and white convolvulus (morning glory's).


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EL KARAMA

EL KARAMA
Location: A private ranch situated on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river just to the north of the town of Nanyuki in the northcentral region of Kenya.
The ranch has been the Grant family home for over 40 years.
The El Karama Ranch bandas provide a comfortable and affordable retreat in a stunning piece of wilderness on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.
Accommodation/Facilities: Various accommodation options include four double bandas, a family cottage, and a spacious rondavel, all with individual bathrooms. Facilities include an attractive communal dining area which over looks the Acacia clad Ewaso Nyiro River and a fully equipped kitchen. El Karama offers a full board and a self catered option as well as natural campsites.

 (The campsites tend to be a bit pricey (KS 10000 PER GROUP) for what you get in our opinion but being out in the bush is compensation)
Each accommodation option has attendants who help with cooking, cleaning, washing and guiding.
Activities:
Wildlife walks can be arranged and you will be accompanied by an experienced guide

Bird watching

Fishing for catfish and barbel (guests must come with equipment and licence).

Game drives

Fly camping

Optional Extras: Camel rides. Horse riding for experienced riders, led and hosted by Guy and Lavinia Grant’s oldest daughter Laria.

Seasons: Open all year round.
El.Karama has a flourishing population of wildlife with over 70 species of mammals and nearly 400 species of birds. Of the well-known African big game El Karama is home to elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion, leopard and cheetah. In addition to these there are such species as the rare and geographically restricted grevy's zebra, the unique Laikipia hartebeest, and the unusual reticulated giraffe. Recently African hunting dogs have also reappeared on the ranch.
And as for the birds the variety is infinite: from the big to the little, the bright or the camouflaged, the ones you see and the ones you hear. From the moment you first pick up your binoculars you'll be hooked and names such as ostrich, kori bustard, martial eagle, honey guide, paradise flycatcher and finfoot will become exciting new discoveries.
The mix of woodland and grassland with riverine forest and swampland creates a home to a wide variety of bird life as well as mammals. The Buffalo Springs Park records over 365 bird species!
The perfect place for an introduction to the harsh, yet stunningly beautiful landscapes of northern Kenya, Laikipia is a vital part of a safari itinerary.