The large plains herbivores of the Maasai Mara

The Eland

The Eland is known to be the second largest Antelope among other antelopes. They mostly inhabit savanna plains.

They are very heavy animal and can weigh about 600kg  though they are good when it comes to jumping. They can jump to a height of 3 meters

The wildebeest & Zebras

They are the common animals to be spotted in Maasai Mara.they form the great migration in Kenya Tanzania safaris.

Wildebeest & Zebras in the Mara Plain

They graze together in groups in the entire plains of the Mara.

The giraffes

They are known to be the Maasai giraffe and feed on leaves and twigs and thus have minimal competition compare to other herbivores since they make good of their tallness.

The cape buffalos

They are the most dangerous guys when provoke and thus keeping distance is vital. They are mostly referred to as African’s Cape buffalo and found in most of Kenya national parks.

The Rhinoceros

The white rhino are grazers because of their wide mouth but black rhino are browsers. They are found in relocated park because of their endangerment. Lake Nakuru  and Nairobi National park.

The white Rhino

Apart from wildlife game viewing, Kenya safaris  also offers great attractions ranging from  ranging from  beach holidays, cultural safaris and nature base tourism with numerous prehistoric sites like Uhuru garden in Nairobi for excursion, hyrax hill in Nakuru for gambles sites and burial sites, Olorgesailie which is highly preserved biological and cultural evidence about the evolution of man.

Kenya is world famous for the movement of annual wildebeest migration and zebra every July to November from Serengeti national park in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in Kenya. This is also home to the big five and ancient home land to more than 42 ethnic groups, creating a vibrant environment to interact and share more about authenticity of Kenyan’s cultures. http://www.soinafricasafaris.com/kenya-safaris.html

Sharon C

www.soinafricasafaris.com

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

www.soinafricasafaris.com

Maasai Mara great Migration-Wonders of the world!

Kenya  wildlife safaris  is famous for  the Great Wildebeest Migration,it is one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World” that makes Kenya to be in a competitive edge apart from authentic cultures, beaches and natural feature among other attractions.

 This phenomenon of movement of animals as immense as the wildebeest migration, over two million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya during July through to October attracting huge number of tourists in Kenya safaris. The migration has to cross the Mara River in the Maasai Mara where crocodiles will enjoy hunting on the zebras  trying to cross the Mara River.

It is this park where guests enjoy various game activities as one witness crocodiles try hunt, stalked and run down by the larger carnivores.

Wildebeest crossing Mara River

It also has one of the largest densities of lions in the world and is no wonder this is the home of the BBC wildlife channels Big Cat Diary recorded ever. The stage on which this show is set is loosely termed the Serengeti Ecosystem, about 40, 000 square kilometer pretty much defined by the dominant migration routes of wildebeest and comprises parts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the south, the Serengeti National Park and the adjacent Maswa Game Reserve and other ‘controlled’ areas in the centre, east and west and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve to the north. The key  players are the wildebeest, whose numbers appear to have settled at just under 1.5 million, with supporting roles from some 350,000 Thomson’s gazelle, 200,000 zebra and 12,000 eland. These are the main migratory and they cross the ranges of over a quarter of a million other resident herbivores and like the carnivores. The lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs and lesser predators await the annual coming of the migration with eager anticipation as these are their celebrities’ time for them to hunt easily.

In the real sense, this phenomenon is an endless issue where wildebeest search for food and water, as they circle the Serengeti-

Kenya Maasai Mara crossing

Mara ecosystem in a relentless sequence of life and death scenario. There is little predictability about the migration. The finer details of the herds movements are always different. It is a dynamic process which defies predictions with no two years is ever quite the same as this depends on the fallen pattern of the rains.

The seasons are reasonably defined: the short dry season is typically December to February/March though might vary as a result of climate change and global warming and the long rains fall over a six week period from March through April and into May which is good rain for the growth of pastures for these animals and the long dry season is from June to September, with the two-week ‘short rains’ falling any time from October into November. However with all these seasons are known to be the best for tourists’ travelers in Kenya Tanzania safaris.

Witness the beginning of the migration. It start on  January and February, where wildebeest are calving down birthing approximately  300,000 to 400,000 calves born within two to three weeks of one another, eight and a half months after the rut. The birthing occurs on the short-grass plains that, at the southernmost extent of the wildebeests’ range, spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and are scattered around Olduvai Gorge.

The annual period of birthing provides feast for predators like the lions, cheetah among others are celebrating.

Wonders of Maasai Mara crossing

May seem that the wildebeest are doing the predators a favor by dropping their young all for these predators but wildebeest are taking the privilege of the short grasses that are suitable for the young ones and predators easily spotted. The predators thus have only a limited impact on the population of newborn calves; any calves born outside the peak are far more likely to perish.

However, towards the end of the short dry season around March, the short-grass plains of the southernmost Serengeti begin to dry out and the wildebeest begin their journey, heading towards the western woodlands. They have two entry points according to behaviorists and ecologist Harvey Croze, co-author of The Great Migration. The wildebeest’s journey is dictated primarily by their response to the weather; they follow the rains and the growth of new grass. And, although there is no scientific proof that this is true, it seems that they, and other animals, react to lightning and thunderstorms in the distance. It would be surprising if even the wildebeest could overlook such prominent portents of change, writes Croze and the phenomenon starts its circle once again!!Creating Kenya holidays the best safari to experience this wonders!

Sharon C

Kenya holidays

www.soinafricasafaris.com

Experiencing life in wilderness lodges on Kenya safaris.

Planning where to spend your holiday? Kenya wilderness lodges /camps offer you a unique experience in your safaris. Wilderness Lodges and camps represent authentic, uncompromising quality, historic locations and an ultimate experience in the wild. Depending on your request, various lodges and camps offer game drives and walking safaris which can be focused on

Laikipia view point-Kenya safaris

specific interests such as photography, tracking game on foot, following specific species and watching animal behavior in their natural state. Talking of Laikipia wilderness camp is one of Kenyan’s best camps that offer you a real experience of life in the wilderness. The Camp boasts beautiful views of Mt. Kenya and offers an array of personalized activities for its guests. The area around the camp has a huge variety of wildlife including elephants, giraffe, hippo, wild dogs, and lions among other animals.

The beautiful settings are fantastic.

Relaxing in Kenya wilderness safaris

The accommodation, food, wine, hospitality and service are faultless and recommended for ideal adventures that are looking for a true bush experience in the wilderness. It has a large spacious mess tent which acts as dining room and sitting room that give a unique experience of booking on Kenya wilderness safaris. Outside the tent is a viewing point with a huge fire where guests can gather at night for a dinner under the stars enjoying star gazing in the Kenya blue sky.

Kenya is the most established safari country though you have to step a little off the conventional route to find real wilderness safaris, but it’s certainly there.  Kenya also has much going for it as a family destination, and also a good number of very individual safari camps and lodges with a personal approach that makes your experience very special and memorable. 

Nature walk safaris in Nakuru Hell's gate-Kenya safaris

Kenya also has a particularly diverse ecology which ranges from snowy mountains to true desert, rolling grassy plains filled with wildlife, sparkling beaches and volcanic ranges, serene landscape  and great topography that  are tranquil giving you a true meaning of booking with Kenya holiday.

Traveling in East Africa is an optimal place to travel year around. However, when planning your safari here are some weather facts to put into considerations. There are two rainy seasons in East Africa. The short rains are from October, November to December and the long rains are considered to be from March to May but with or without rains will not stop your dream safaris to be realistic.

Sharon C

Kenya holiday

www.soinafricasafaris.com