While on
a Great Rift Valley Safari, you will visit one of the wonders of
the world. The valley forms a wide trench (about 5400 miles long) down
the length of Africa that is visible from the moon.
Lake Nakuru is a saltwater lake and together with its neighbouring park is
famous for attracting large flocks of flamingos. The sight of thousands
of bright pink birds as they collect against the soda crusted shoreline
is striking.
In complete contrast, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake that is home to
buffalos and hippos - as well as being the ideal safari destination for
birders!
LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
The
first rhino sanctuary in Kenya, this small but beautiful
park lies 8 kms south of Nakuru covering an area of 200
sq kms. The park is unquestionably "the greatest
ornithological spectacle on earth.", serving as the
congregation point for a roseatte mass of some 100,000 to
2 million flamingos and over 450 other species of birds -
a spectacle of immense beauty. Other wildlife to be seen
in the park are waterbuck, reedbuck, zebra, impala,
Gazelle, lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, and rhino,
especially in the olive tree forest to the south west.
Located
in the Rift Valley, 1750 meters above sea level, in
Central Kenya, 140 km. north-west of Nairobi. Only two
hours leisurely drive from
Nairobi, through some of the most exciting scenery to be
seen anywhere in Africa. The 156 Km Nairobi-Nakuru road
gives the visitor an unrivalled view of the majestic
Great Rift Valley, winding through a series of Lakes and
forested uplands all the way to the bustling market town
of Nakuru.
The Park itself
surrounds the Lake entirely and has recently been
expanded to provide sanctuary for black rhino. This step
has required the erection of a large fence around the
perimeter of the park to prevent poachers from entering
the park. Both Black and White Rhinos are being
given a new lease of life in this 188 sq.km fully electrically fenced
park and they are carefully protected. The present Rhino population is
53 and continue to multiply.
The Rothschilds giraffe is another unique and the park has it's
fair share of the Buffalo, Leopard, Wild dog, Zebra,
Eland, Waterbuck and the territorial Lion.
LAKE NAIVASHA
From the top of
the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley you can see Lake
Naivasha sparkling in the sun thousands of feet below. Just
an hour's drive from Nairobi, Naivasha is one of the gems
in a necklace of Rift Valley lakes.
Covering 170 sq
kms this beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by rolling
hills and extinct volcanoes is home to over 450 species
of birds. The lake's water is used to irrigate the
bountiful agriculture on its shores and a visit to these
farms, for those interested in agriculture, is well worth
while. Strawberries, flowers, asparagus and numerous
other crops are grown for domestic consumption and export. Black bass
and tilapia make for entertaining fishing and a delicious meal.
Much of the lake is surrounded by forests of the yellow barked Acacia
Xanthophlea, known as the yellow fever tree. These forests abound with
bird life, and Naivasha is known as a world class birding destination.
The waters of the lake draw a great range of game to these shores.
Giraffes wander among the acacia, Buffalo wallow in the swamps and
Colobus monkeys call from the treetops while the Lakes large hippo
population sleep the day out in the shallows.
Hell's Gate National Park
lies beside the lake. This Park was
named for its pair of massive red tinged cliffs framing a geothermically
active interior of steam vents and bubbling springs. The park is home to
a profusion of plains game and birdlife. Walking is permitted, making it
ideal for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Boat trips on the lake are widely available, and is a great way to spend
an afternoon or morning. The water is dotted with Pelicans, and the
papyrus alive with Kingfisher, Heron, Jacanas and more, while high in
the trees over the Lake you will find Africa's largest concentration of
African Fish Eagles.
Sunsets are always stunning, with the haunting call of a Fish Eagle high
over the Lake bringing the day to a perfect end....
Colobus monkeys are often seen in the
canopy of the Acacia forests around the lake, and on the north shore of
the lake Buffalo, Waterbuck and Eland are often seen grazing.
Crescent Island, a partially submerged volcanic crater, is a
private game sanctuary with herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle
and other plains game. Many local lodges can organize boat trips to the
island, where you can walk among the herds of game.
North West of the Lake is the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary. This is a
small private sanctuary centred around a volcanic crater lake with
spectacular green water. The lake attracts many flamingo, and the
surrounding forests and plains have plenty of game. This is a good place
to explore on foot.
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