Friday 20 December 2013

Kenya safaris -Lake Bogoria the land of great birding & wildlife viewing.



Lake Bogoria is situated in Rift valley about 290km North of Nairobi. It is the most northerly of the Rift Valley Lakes. Lake Bogoria is one of the two freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley in Kenya, though other Lake Naivasha is also a fresh water lake. It has over 470 species of birds with migrating flamingos. Water flows into the lake from the Mau Hills and Tugen Hills. The lake also provides an invaluable habitat for seven fresh water fish species like the tilapia fish.
The lake is fed by two rivers, El Molo and Ol Arabel and has no obvious outlet, despite this it's is one of only two freshwater lakes in the Great Rift valley of Kenya. The climate in the region is generally hot and dry and away from the lake shore the surrounding countryside appears quite barren.
Famingos at lake Bogoria
However the imposing cliffs house a variety of bird life and are also home to the Rock Hyrax. The Hyrax are really rather endearing and quite interesting to watch as you do photographing.
 While you're unlikely to see all 470+ species in a short visit, there are plenty of birds to be seen even by novice birders.  Paradise Flycatcher, African Fish Eagles, Marabou Storks, Shikra and White-faced Scops Owl are amongst the regular sightings, while some the less common birds that can be seen there include Hemprich's Hornbill, the African Darter and occasionally the African Skimmer.
The lake used to boast a large Goliath Heronry but, although Goliaths are still breeding around the lake, the Heronry has disappeared. Zimmerman does describe the Goliath breeding as being "sporadic" around this area so may be this vanishing act is only temporary!
With great birding and wild animals game viewing makes your safari a life time experience in Kenya safaris.
Sharon C

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