Kenya Birding Safaris.

Kenya destination is not only made of wildlife but also various birds’ species. These varieties of birds in Kenya are made possible by the favorable climate, diverse habitats and geographical features that make it a suitable migratory route for birds. Among the famous destination for birds include Kakamega forest, Lake Nakuru which has millions of flamingoes, Pelicans, Marabou stork among other bird species.

 Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, it has more than 600 resident and migratory bird species are found; more than in any other capital city, and more than in most countries. One could just enjoy the storks flying across the blue sky as he or she relaxes in the beauty of city. The giant Marabou Storks, a frequent visitor to the city, now nests on the acacia trees along the streets giving you a nice capture as you relax in the city centre.

Other famous attraction includes the dry-country parks of Tsavo or Samburu, the western grasslands of the Maasai Mara, one of the Rift Valley lakes or one of the highland forests, will produce a long and varied bird list making ones to experience the magical of Kenya

However, every destination site is known for its unique birds as like in western Kenya, Kakamega Forest is a little patch of Guineo-Congolian rainforest in Kenya. Among the many rainforest species found are spectacular Turaco and Hornbills.

The famous Masai Mara has remain to be home to migratory and non migratory birds for a decades of years and this have remain to attract tourists year round. Among the birds found in the Masai Mara include: Bastards, Starlings, Stork, Vultures, Ostriches, Eagles, Spa wings, Lilac rollers among others.

 

www.soinafricasafaris.com

 

Sharon C

Kenya received Kshs 18million equipment secured to support Night Vision in wildife protection

A nice move as Kenya Wildlife Service has received a significant boost in its fight against poaching with a pledge of Kshs. 17.8million (US $ 210,000) towards the purchase of night vision equipment that will enhance the protection of flora and fauna in all destination attractions sites. 

The support was made to the KWS team while attending the recently concluded 2014 Smithsonian Folk Festival – Kenya Mambo Poa in Washington DC. The night vision equipment which has high performance capability will enable the KWS rangers to “own the night” and Poaching will be a tale to tell in Kenya destination.

The pledges were made by the Wood and Tiger Foundation Kshs 5.5million (US $ 64,000), Pegasus Foundation Kshs 3.8million (US $ 45,000), and Wild Cat Foundation through Animal Welfare Institute will provide Kshs. 8.5million (US $ 100,000) that be used in monitoring the Kenya wildlife.

www.soinafricasafaris.com

 

NOTCH, THE ONLY OFFICIAL KING IN KENYA MASAI MARA

All the great features of the Mara are special in their own way. They are natural and unmovable. They are ever present, ever striking and forever talked about and cherished by generations, ancient, recent and present. The plains, the elevated grounds, the rivers and the annual longest distance and most massive marathon on earth; the wildebeest migration are the phenomena upon which spectacular images have been shot and jaw-dropping stories put down.
This is just the little we know for the little time we roam the vastness of the world's most talked about land. But perhaps Notch, the King of Mara knows, beyond what we see about the drama that unfolds on the ground all night and all day. This King owns the Mara, it breeds into it and puts life to where it has been taken away or where it has never been.
Being the most prominent cat of Kenya's Masai Mara, and the most popular lion in the region, he is an official public figure.

And Notch's Legacy Roars on.

He is influential, resistant, tough, energetic, protective and a mascot of pride and territorial control. You would forgive him for his ruthlessness to the enemy when you meet him and see his macho figure, the handsomeness in his eyes, his undiluted mane, and so greatly his brood of boys that he is endowing Mara to so that they may by his orders protect and breed into it like he solemnly did in the light and in the dark of his heyday, so that when he is no more the brilliance of his lamp lives on.
He protects his sons and they protect him. His polygamous lifestyle takes him to every inch of the reserve, to inspect his territory, to reassure his big girls and to cuddle his adorable brood. To the lions of Masai Mara waiting on the queue, Notch has lived a long life. But to the tour guides, game rangers and tourists who called him by name, the big cat film makers and to the authors, Notch has lived a short life full of bliss, pride, dominance and a self acquired legacy.
This uncommon public figure, has roared his way into the big channels of the globe, bitten his path to the awesome records in the diaries of the Big Cats and leaped his road ahead of many other lions and brought to himself an empire. He has made friends in Africa his home place, Asia where he is fondly remembered, Australia where his images lie, South America where his stories are told this minute, North America where a film of him is on, Europe where he is widely saluted and probably in heaven where he was sent from.
When he is gone, if he is gone, if he ever goes, his force in the shadows and dreams of those who watched him in documentaries, read of him in books or heard of him in verbal tales shall be represented by the multitude of his living effects today. The consequences of his existence when he goes to rest shall be seen on his tracks and the strong scent of the thick skin of the life he excellently lived. When the living lions imagine, dream or remember the vibration his roar caused across the Mara, they will tremble with the nostalgia of his majestic legacy.
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South serengeti Safari 2015

Safari profile

This safari is specifically for great photographic opportunity of calving wildebeests, our camp is located in Ndutu, an area famed for extraordinary wildlife! Huge concentrations of the great migration often gather in this area from late December through March as it is the wildebeest calving season when 400,000 wildebeest calves are born. This incredible concentration of potential prey leads to very high densities of predators and the area and season is unmatched for the potential to observe start to finish hunts. Ndutu is exceptional for cheetah and has proven to be quite a nursery area to raise their young cubs. Lions and spotted hyena are also very common and frequently observed hunting. There is a great diversity of habitats with expansive plains, great marshes, lakes, and woodlands. Full day trips can be made to other rich areas such as Gol Kopjes, Central Serengeti, Kusini Plains, Moru Kopjes, and the Kakesio Plains to the south.

These trips will be lead by Paul Kirui who is a photographer and tour leader for many years. he will work with the drivers on the ground to give you the best photographic opportunity. You will be provided with bean bags for camera support in each vehicle. I can also avail some other kinds of mounts for cameras.

Day 1: 10th February 2015

Pickup from Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred by road to your camp at Ngorongoro crater (3hrs)depending on time of arrival, just spend the evening relaxing in your camp as you watch the sun set over the western rim of the crater.

NB: We will arrange for your regional flight from Nairobi, if your international flight arrives and depart from Jomo Kenyatta airport. We will also arrange hotel if you are arriving a day earlier or previous evening

Day 2: 11th February 2015

wake up at 6.00am, and after breakfast, depart camp at 7.00am for a whole day game viewing in the crater with packed lunch. the drive offers great photographic opportunities. You will have lunch at the crater floor. Head back to camp in late afternoon, to allow time to relax after a long day and watch the sunset beyond the western side of the crater.

Day 3: 12th February 2015

Wake up at 6.30am, depart camp after breakfast at 7.00am and drive towards Ndutu area where your next camp is situated. You will be game driving en-route, to arrive at camp by lunch time, where after lunch, you will have a short rest then depart for your afternoon game drive at 3.30pm. afternoon game drives in this location will provide you with perfect opportunities for photography as you follow the predators and observe them in action. you will return to the camp in the evening

Day 4- 7: 13th-16th February 2014

Wake up every day at 6.00am and prepare to leave camp by 6.30am for half  day of great game and photographic opportunity. you will have packed breakfast which you will enjoy on the plains of Ndutu among thousands of wildebeests, most of which have just given birth (or even in the process of)

Day 8: 17th February 2015

On this day you will wake up as usual, have breakfast at camp at 6.30am then depart camp by 7.00am for drive to Arusha then Kilimanjaro airport. it will take about 4-5hrs. you will have lunch either in Arusha or at a restaurant at the airport, depending on your flight schedule. Those most flights to Nairobi leaves around 2.30pm (In case you are catching your international flight from Nairobi)

NB: We may have to adjust the time of departing Ndutu area depending on flight schedule

(Itinerary for group 2 starts from 18th to 25th February, with everything as with group1)

Paul Kirui

Photographer & Tour leader

http://paulkirui-photography.com

http://paul-kirui.blogspot.com

email: paul.safariguide@gmail.com

Nepal, China, Kenya and the Lusaka Agreement Task Force recognized for exemplary enforcement efforts in wildlife crimes

China, Kenya and the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF) were awarded Certificates of Commendation for collaborative efforts to take down an international criminal syndicate smuggling ivory from Kenya to China. The joint action occurred during Operation COBRA II – an international wildlife law enforcement operation involving 28 countries that took place in January 2014 – and resulted in the extradition of a Chinese national from Kenya to China and the arrest of more than 20 smugglers and domestic ivory traders in China implicated in the activities of the syndicate. The Certificates of Commendation presented to China’s National Inter-agencies CITES Enforcement Coordination Group on behalf of Chinese authorities, Kenya Wildlife Service on behalf of Kenyan Authorities and the Lusaka Agreement Task Force recognized the exemplary collaboration, including the daily exchange of real-time intelligence, which underpinned the joint investigation.Read more on http://www.kws.org/info/news/2014/10julycities2014.html
www.soinafricasafaris.com

The migration show continues in the Mara

The wildebeest have made another dramatic comeback. Over the past week, the concentration in the south of the reserve swelled to an enormous number. these were the herds believed to have remained in Northern Serengeti when the first group came into the Mara last month. when the first group arrived, they headed due north from Sand River, crossed the Talek River then continued into the conservancies of Olare-Orok, Naboisho and Mara North where they settled before coming back into the reserve last week. They headed towards Rhino ridge, Musiara marsh, then Paradise plains and finally crossing the Mara River west onto the Mara Triangle.

Wildebeest Migration season across the Mara River.

there have been massive crossings over the last few days with many animals crossing at different places. As usual, the predation on the crossing animals was witnessed

There is a higher concentration on the central and Metaplains. The westward bound herds have spread out on the central plains again and crossing the Mara River near look out hill. For the past three days, we have witnessed many animals crossing around here. three days ago, they crossed for almost 3 hours non-stop. The animals are crossing over into the Mara triangle then spreading out around Oldoinyo-Olkineji and others heading towards Turner's hill and Milima Tatu.

while the concentration of these animals are the major attraction, we have been witnessing many hunts by the Mara predators, mainly lion, Leopard, Hyaena and Cheetah.

www.soinafricasafaris.com
Paul Kirui-Kenya Photographer