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.

2009 RHINO CHARGE

The Rhino Charge is an off-road event in which competitors are required to visit 13 points scattered over approximately 100 square kms of rough terrain within a 10 hour period. Competitors are supplied with a 1:50,000 scale map of the venue, co-ordinates of the 13 Control Points and their Start position (at one of the Controls). Each competitor must plot the Control Points on the map and decide his/her route. Navigation is by compass/GPS and the winner is the competitor who visits the most controls in the shortest distance (GPS measured).

The event is organised to raise funds for the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust. Competitors are required to raise the minimum sponsorship set by the organising committee. Most however raise considerably more - the record to date being Kshs 9,393,552 in 2008 from Car No. 5 Alan McKittrick, Bruce Knight, Charlie Hewitt-Stubbs, John Trundell, S. McKittrick, winners of the prestigious David Schaeffer Trophy. Long-time supporters such as Mike and Sarah Higgins have raised a total of Kshs 39,604,399 over the last 20 years.
To negate environmental damage entries to the Charge are limited to less than 60 vehicles. The popularity of the charge is such that the organisers have introduced a preferential entry strategy favouring high value fund raisers because would-be entrants far exceed available places in the event.
Vision and Mission and Values of Rhino Charge:

The vision of Rhino Charge is to mobilize the public to raise funds for Rhino Ark, the Kenyan conservation charity. For 20 years, Rhino Ark’s sole focus has been specifically to raise funds for an electrified fence to encircle nearly 400kms of the Aberdare ecosystem. The fence is a vital management tool in the ecosystem’s long-term integrity.
The mission of Rhino Charge is to organize an annual off-road motorsport competition that consistently meets the highest standards of excellence and does not adversely impact on the environment in which the events take place.
The values of Rhino Charge are Sportsmanship, Integrity and Commitment to Excellence.
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MALINDI

Malindi conjures up visions of a great historic town that has journeyed through ages. The culture, economy and general setup of any given place changes with time, and Malindi has journeyed through these eras with much pomp and flair from the time of the early Chinese and Arab traders to the Portuguese sailors and later on to European settlers who alongside other investors have transformed Malindi into a reputable destination of tourism importance. Yet there is still much warmth and hospitality of the people of Kenya experience in Malindi.

Their friendliness and welcoming attitude among others is a charm that cannot be rivaled in any other tourist destination the world over. Malindi is known for its culinary prowess with its restaurants, hotels, coffeehouses and other eating places offering a wide range of cuisines ranging from local flavors to international cuisines. The revival of the architectural industry and carpentry specializing in local wood artifacts is something to be savored by all visitors.
Malindi has got various woodcarvers who can make very unique furniture and also the famous Lamu beds. There are also local tour guides to take you around to exotic places you have never seen before!

Given that Malindi is a seaside resort, do not forget to go out swimming in the warm waters, go deep sea fishing or visit the marine park alongside sunbathing and other beach sports in this lovely aquatic paradise. Various activities, religious, cultural and other activities which involve the whole of Malindi community do take place and tourists are invited to attend such functions and have a feeling of being part of the community, for example, participation in beach cleaning, tree planting and religious festivals.