The Restored Kenya Paradise

By Author: Peter Phiilp
Total Articles: 43
Comment this article

Long rains finally came. And have come with desired pros and inevitable cons. The best part is the restoration of the Kenya premium bird watchers paradise – Lake Nakuru National park, home of the flamingo flocks.

The pink flamingo thrilled shores have now extended both north and south, inspiring breath-taking sight. Unlike the months of January and February where one would only experience little patches of ‘drought stricken’ flamingos, the park is now packed with these colorful water birds.

The great concentration is on the southern lake along the mouth of River Makalia. There are also commendable concentrations on the western shore plains near the First President’s pavilion. The traditional Cormorant point near the mouth of river Njoro is now deserted most part of the day, but crowded in the early morning as the colorful birds prin their feathers, sun rays making them shiny from a distance. Nonetheless, the great white pelicans have maintained their stand on the southern shores.

For the mammals, the rains have brought great foliage for the ungulates. There is a lot life, and driving along the shores ...
... or the bush part of this park is simply great. The ungulates that were relocated to other parks due to lack of foliage as a result of previous drought are now welcome back home.

The lions and leopards are becoming easy to spot every day despite the long grass due to ease of finding prey. The long grass is facilitating unimaginable camouflage making it easy to make kills. The versatile hunter – leopard – is seen sluggishly hanging on the low-bending acacia trunks both in the Columbus forest and around Baharini spring/Maji Chafu forest.

They have been recently spotted near Naishi air strip and around the Blind corner.The two rhinos that were ailing are now recovering , thanks to the mobile veterinary team of David Shedrick Wildlife Trust and Kenya Wildlife Service rhino unit. There are new rhino calves too – a great applause to the dedicated rhino team.

There have been incidences of weak buffalos and other ungulates drowning in the ranging rivers especially Makalia and Nderit rivers which have occasionally broke their bends incredibly, but at the same time presenting a great feast to scavengers.

Makalia falls is a must visit, while Baboon Cliff and Out of Africa are presenting the most scenic panoramic platform of the season as usual, especially the green-carpet of freshly green grass below the cliff. The shores are wet and there is need to be cautious not to drive too much inward – there is no choking soda as was the case few weeks ago, but there is the scent of algae and flamingo droppings.

BIO

Philip is the operator of Natural Track Safaris, a Kenya based nature Safari Company catering for family outdoor adventures, camping and overland safaris. For more safari information visit http://www.natural-track.com/safaris and http://www.natural-track.com