#Bush Hyrax

[inatungulates]

Bush hyrax Heterohyrax brucei

Observed by pieterkotze, CC BY-NC

[aticketplz]

全員かわいすぎて大人なのか子どもなのかよくわからなかった…

この子はたぶん子ども…？

@埼玉県こども動物自然公園

They're all so cute, I can't tell who's an adult and who's a kid.

Perhaps this hyrax is a child....

@Saitama children's Zoo Park

[thatswhywelovegermany]

The Easter Bunny / Easter Hare

In German Easter tradition, the Easter Bunny is an imaginary rabbit or hare who paints eggs at Easter and hides them in the garden. Children search for Easter eggs on the morning of Easter Sunday. The motif of the Easter Bunny has recently spread in the popular culture of Easter, also through its commercial use, and has largely replaced earlier bringers of the Easter egg.

As far as is known, the Easter Bunny was first mentioned in the dissertation of the Frankfurt doctor Johannes Richier, who received his doctorate in 1682 under the respected Heidelberg professor of medicine Georg Franck von Franckenau with his treatise "De ovis paschalibus - von Oster-Eyern". The son of the pastor Jean Richier, who had fled France for religious reasons, describes a custom in Upper Germany, the Palatinate, Alsace and neighbouring regions, as well as Westphalia, according to which an Easter Bunny lays the eggs (ova excludere) and hides them in gardens in the grass, bushes, etc., where they are eagerly searched for by children amid laughter and to the amusement of the adults (cum risu et iucunditate seniorum). He calls the Easter Bunny hiding the eggs “a fable that is told to simpletons and children” (fabula, que simplicioribus et infantibus imponunt).

According to cultural studies, the reason for the strong upswing that belief in the Easter Bunny experienced in the 19th century can be found in the industrial production of cheap beet sugar, which made the production of affordable chocolate bunnies and eggs possible in the first place.

The connection between the Christian Easter festival and the egg as a symbol has been known in various European countries since the Middle Ages at the latest, and may even date back to earlier. There is also an older interpretation of the rabbit as a symbol of resurrection since Ambrose. The diverse Christian symbolism of the rabbit found expression in many works of art in the Middle Ages, see Rabbit in art. The connection between the rabbit and the Easter egg tradition is still unclear, however, even if the fertility of rabbits in itself has a close connection to spring. The following hypotheses are often put forward:

Some early painted Easter eggs show the three-hare image, a depiction of three hares with only three ears in total, but each hare having two ears due to the "double use" of ears; this is a well-known symbol for the Holy Trinity. It is possible that this depiction may have given rise to the idea of ​​the hare as an egg supplier.

In one passage in the Bible, Psalm 104:18, older translations speak of "hares". The reason for this was the Latin translation of Proverbs 30:26, in which Jerome translated the Hebrew "schafan" (rock hyrax) as "lepusculus" (hare). Since late antiquity, this passage has been interpreted as a symbol for the weak human (hare) who seeks refuge in the rock (Christ). This interpretation established the symbolism of the hare in Christian iconography.

It is widely considered harmless to tell young children that the Easter Bunny brings eggs and sweets for Easter. Psychologists believe that this illusion stimulates the imagination and supports cognitive development. However, children's critical questions and doubts should be supported so that their belief in the Bunny eventually disappears by itself, also through interaction with other children.

The Easter Bunny was spread outside of Europe by German-speaking emigrants. It has gained a certain popularity in the USA in particular. In English, the term "Easter Bunny" predominates over the literal translation "Easter Hare", so the figure is often understood to be a rabbit.

In Australia, the "Easter Bilby" has been placed alongside the "Easter Bunny" since the 1970s. The aim is to draw attention to the endangered species of the greater burrowing bandicoot ("Bilby"), not least due to the spread of European rabbits, and to raise money for a conservation fund by selling chocolate bilbies.

[amnhnyc]

Appearances can be deceiving. 👀 Though it may look like a close relative of rabbits or mice, the bush hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei) is actually more closely related to manatees and elephants! All three animals are members of the clade Paenungulata. And just as in elephants, the hyrax’s front incisors grow continuously to form tusks. Unlike its larger cousins, this small mammal weighs a mere 5.4 pounds (2.5 kilograms). It inhabits rocky areas, and can be found in parts of Africa including Egypt and Angola. Photo: gerhards, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist #nature #animalsofinstagram #biodiversity #science #cuteanimals https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn2om_VPbr2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[luckyshouse]

official animal list

greater and lesser anteaters

rock hyrax

aardvarks

pangolins

armadillos

goats

okepi

donkeys

bush dogs

pigeons

hares and rabbits

[worldclassmenageriie-moving]

Nyota didnt see too much harm in taking her young cubs for a walk near hakuna matata falls since it was on the edge of the pridelands territory--they'd already started getting their spots on their shoulders and they werent too far from the spare den. "You three stay together, and stay close enough to hear me!" She called as she laid on the ridge to keep an eye on the cubs. "We will momma!" Ngozi, the biggest of the three young cubs called, tail wagging rapidly as they ran down the path to play in the nearby shrubbery. Followed closely by her two siblings, giggling and snapping playfully at eachother.

Bahati was the one who noticed the smell of a strange animal, giggling and stamping his paws. "Hey hey! Ngozi! Ngozi! Yazid look! I found---uh..a thing!" He nodded toward the meerkat tracks.

The older two cubs gathered to sniff and investigate the tracks curiosely. "Is it from.....a hyrax?" Yazid asked, looking at their sister.

"Mmmm...I dunno! Lets look!" She giggled, romping off through the bushes to find the creature that made the tracks.

@musemelodies

[lost-lycaon]

On land, the Western Cape is arid with poor soil quality that is a harsh windswept ecosystem. This supports fewer large mammals than the savanna biome to the east, including Rock Hyrax, Klipspringer, and Ostrich with rare sightings of Leopard. The inhospitable climate has led plant adaptations that create tough and resilient vegetation that uses frequent veld fires to activate seeds. The Fynbos, Afrikaans for ‘fine bush’, is a unique Floral Kingdom that has greater plant diversity than any rainforest. The Fynbos includes Proteas (woody plants with large showy flowers), Ericas (delicate heath with small flowers), Restios (reed-like), and Geophytes (with large underground bulbs).

[official-saul-goodman]

I want to take all my furry friends out to the zoo so we can see all their favourite animals and also i can show them bush dogs and rock hyraxes so they get them as fursonas

[burigi-chato-safaris]

OVERVIEW OF THE SAFARI TARANGIRE NGORONGORO FOR TWO DAYS

OVERVIEW OF THE SAFARI TARANGIRE NGORONGORO FOR TWO DAYS             This two-day safari will take you to Tarangire National Park and the incredible Ngorongoro Crater, where you'll have time to explore wildlife and interact with animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, and more. Visiting the crater will bring back memories because there are so many animals to see.

ABOUT TARANGIRE: The national park of Tarangire is well-known for having a large population of elephants and baobab trees. Visitors to the park can view sizable herds of zebras, wildebeest, and Cape buffalo during the dry season, which lasts from June to November. Other typical inhabitants include giraffes, dik diks, sea antelopes, Grant's antelopes, vervet monkeys, banded mongoose, and olive baboons. Predators in the Tarangire include lions, leopards, jaguars, caracals, badgers, and wild dogs. The oldest elephant to give birth to twins is in Tarangire. An excellent illustration of how the birth of two healthy, thriving twin elephants may overcome all obstacles is the recent birth of elephant twins in Tanzania's Tarangire National Park. 550 different species of birds live there. 2 days ngorongoro

A birder's paradise, the park. Another well-known feature of the area are the numerous termite mounds. Wildlife study mostly focuses on Masai giraffes and African woodland elephants. The protected area has been recognized as a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005.

June and October are the best months to visit Tarangire. Animals move from nearby locations into the park. When they are close to a river, wild animals are easier to see. nice and sunny conditions The risk of malaria is decreased and there are fewer mosquitoes. From June through August, warm clothing is necessary due to the chilly morning matches. OCTOBER AND MAY The vegetation is gorgeous and lush. Due of the low season, prices are low. Because migratory birds are here now, it's the greatest time to go bird watching. Since many animals leave the park during migration, the dry season is the best time to see wildlife. The height of the rainy season occurs from March through May. 2 days ngorongoro

NGORONGORO'S HISTORY One of the top locations in Africa to watch wildlife is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Additionally, it is among the top tourist destinations in Tanzania. The primary activities in Ngorongoro Conservation Area include crater rim hikes to view wildlife (which can take up to 6 hours), visiting nearby Maasai settlements, and playing the game of driving around and in the crater. He is who he is. One can also go to the Hadzabe tribe and see Lake Magadi, Lerai Fever Forest, Olduvai Gorge, shifting sand, Mount Gol, Olmoti Crater, Empakaai Crater, Ol Karien Gorge, Nasera Rock, Salei Plain, Oldeani Mountain, Lake Natron, and Ol Doinyo Lengai. A shallow lake with alkaline water, Lake Magadi is well-liked by flamingos.

Other birds including flamingos appreciate the lake's seclusion, salt water, and profusion of algae. Hyenas and jackals are two other creatures that frequent the lake to add salt to their diet. One uncommon, slender, pale yellow acacia tree makes up the Lerai fever forest. These trees are loved by animals like rhinos, bush antelopes, elephants, elands, hyraxes, and birds. Ash from Mount Ol Dionyo is what causes quicksand.

Visitors to the area will enjoy the stunning sight of this ash slowly moving across the broad plains. In addition to Ngorongoro, other significant craters in the region include Olmoti and Empakaai. These two craters are great for taking nature hikes, seeing wildlife, and seeing Maasai herders take care of their animals. It proceeds along Thousands of zebras and wildebeest use this area as a main migration path as they go to and from the Serengeti grasslands. An old shelter was found by the Leakey family during one of their digs in the Ol Doinyo Lengai Mountains, which are close to the Kenyan border. Daring climbers flock to these isolated mountains, which are still active, to view the main crater filled with lava. travel to Maasai land Visit the villages of the Hadzabe tribe near Lake Eyasi for an amazing cultural trip in Tanzania. These bushmen still rely on hunting and gathering for their survival. Whistles and clicks make up the majority of their language. Near by Datoga and the Mbulu, who depend on farming and pastoralism for a living, dwell the Hadzabe. You might love our Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari 3-Day Package if you're soon planning a vacation to the Ngorongoro Crater. We also provide a wonderful 6-day gorilla tour and a safari package that includes the Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

TIME TO VISIT NGORONGORO AT ITS BEST The greatest time to visit Ngorongoro Crater is in JANUARY since that is when the wildebeests are laying their eggs. The newborn animals struggling to stand up have fantastic photo chances because the herds are "mass spawning" on the lush plains just outside the crater. Between the two rainy seasons in the area, January and February might generate a dry season between "short rains" and "long rains.

February is one of the driest months at the crater before the rainy season begins in late March. It's a great time to view the wildlife, especially lion and hyena predators getting ready to hunt dense herds. In order to avoid crowds and enjoy a fair price, March is recognized as one of the finest months to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is transformed into an emerald wonderland by the "long rains," which start in late March and last through April and May

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is best visited in the month of June. There are fewer people on game drives now that the "long rains" have stopped. Peak season for the Ngorongoro Crater Expedition doesn't start until late June or early July. The colder weather this month makes it the perfect time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, a well-liked addition. for the hunting expedition to Ngorongoro Crater

The months of JULY and AUGUST are the busiest for visitors to Ngorongoro Crater, and lodging in the area is typically very empty during these times. During the dry season, the visibility of wildlife along the arid plains and their frequent excursions to waterholes draw tourists from all over the world. Leopards, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, and other animals are frequently seen at this time of year.

Although SEPTEMBER is the beginning of spring, it still falls in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's typical dry season. It can get chilly in Crater at this time of year. The crater's bottom has become a dusty bowl due to the recent dry weather, and the grasslands have gone yellow. October is a transitional month for the weather at Ngorongoro Crater, with the long dry season's peak occurring at the beginning of the month and the "brief rains" starting shortly before November.

[zoologytopics]

Rock Hyrax

The Rock Hyrax is known by many names. The Swahili refer to them as Wibari, Pelele and Pimbi; however, Wibari and Pelele have been retired for the tree hyraxes.

They are also referred to as Klipdas which comes from the language Afrikaans and means “cliff badger.”

Other names include Rock Dassies, Pimbi, Stone Badger, Cape Hyrax, Coney, and Rock Rabbits. However, their scientific name is Procavia capensis.

Subspecies include P. c. capensis/Cape Rock Hyrax, P. c. habessinicus/Ethiopian Rock Hyrax, P. c. johnstoni/Black-Necked Rock Hyrax, P. c. ruficeps/Red-Headed Rock Hyrax and P. c. welwitschii/Kaokoveld Rock Hyrax. The Cape Rock Hyrax occurs in South Africa and Namibia. The Ethiopian Rock Hyrax occurs in northeastern Africa and Arabia The Black-Necked Rock Hyrax occurs in Central and East Africa The Red-Headed Rock Hyrax occurs n southern Sahara The Kaokoveld Rock Hyrax occurs in the Kaokoveld desertof Namibia

The Rock Hyrax spans all over Africa in multiple subspecies as referenced. They also occur through most of Lebanon,Israel, Jordan and the Sinai and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Rock Hyrax has a short snout with long black whiskers and a cleft upper lip. They have a gland which is covered by hair which will stand straight up when angry, frightened or excited. They have rubber-like feet which are constantlymoist due to a gland on the bottom of their foot. Their fur coloring ranges from a yellowish to grayish-brown with a slightly lighter colored belly.

Adults weigh 4-13 pounds, and measure 12-23 inches long and 8-12 inches tall.

The Rock HYrax has a claw on their back foot which has been nicknamed their ‘grooming claw’ which they use to pick through and scratch at their fur. They also have a special eyelid which protects them against sun and dust. They have dorsal gland which is used to mark their territory and communicate with their colony.

The Rock Hyrax’s closest living relatives are elephants and manatees. They are one of four species of hyraxes.

The Rock Hyrax resides in rocky and scrub-covered habtats, and lives in kopjes, rock outcroppings,rock formations, and cliffs. Colonies consist of 5-60 individuals.

Rock Hyraxes diet consist of various vegetation which varies during the time of the yrear, during the wet season they primarily eat grass, while during the dry season they consume mostly fruits and leaves. They consume plants which are poisonous for many animals, to help digest this toxic vegetation they have a 3-chambered stomach.

Rock Hyraxes have incredible eyesight and hearing; their eyesight is so incredible that they can see over 1,000 yards away. They are primarily active during the day, which starts off with a couple hour long sunbath before feeding. Funnily enough, the slightest hint of rainy or just dreary weather and they’ll spend the day inside.

Rock Hyraxes live in colonies which are made up an adult male, several femals and their offspring. Young males are pushed out of their natal colony at 2 years old, and will remain on the outskirts of random colonies until they are able to take over a colony of their own.

Rock and Bush Hyraxes are known to intermix when grazing, and will even spend nights in the same holes, as well as defecate/urinate in the same areas.

Rock Hyraxes will graze in tight circle formations to keep a lookout for predators, these are similar to muskoxen and elephant’s rosettes.

The Rock Hyraxes have many predators including leopards, hyenas, jackals, servals, pythons, the Verreaux’s eagle and the Black Eagle. Pretty much anything where a hyrax would fill them.

Rock Hyraxes have a gestation period of 6 ½ to 8 ½ months long, after which 1-6 kits(cubs?) will be born- the average is 3- with a full coat. They develop quickly with walking coming 24 hours after being born, and by the 3rd day typically have begun to graze. Colony mothers will form nursery groups in which a certain amount of females will go off on their own, while a certain amount of females will watch over the kits. They are weaned at 1-5 months old, and reach sexual maturity at 16-17 months old. They can live as much as 9-12 years, however in the wild their average lifespan is 4.9 years.

Communication is achieved by grunts, wails, squeals, snorts, twitters, growls, whistles and shrieks.

They are considered pests which take up livestock grazing pastures in some areas, and they are hunted for both their meat and soft fur. Even though their population is stable and they are listed as least concern, conservations efforts include research, working with local governments and developing conservation tourism.

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/rock-hyrax, https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/rock-hyrax, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/rock-hyrax-fact-sheet/

[leggigoesabroad]

we pick up at Mahali Mzuri, for our afternoon game drive. Spoiler, this one was EPIC. At this point we’ve been on a fair number of game drives, so we can’t expect all of them to have something super special and exciting. The “normal” crew you see pretty much every time are zebra, impala, gazelle, buffalo of some kind, etc. Very often, giraffes (which I actually never tire of - they’re all so stunning in their own way and I’m obsessed with their markings and watching them walk/amble.) But the more rare sightings can’t be an every day occurrence. We had been bombing around the Mara a little bit and not seeing too much, and the sun was going to set fairly soon so I figured we’d head back. We came across some jackals fighting over a baby gazelle (😭) and then hyenas, both of which were new for me, so that was cool - and then Betty turned a corner and we came upon a clearing I between some bushes, sort of like a protected circle, of FOURTEEN SLEEPING LIONS. Four big males, some adult females, and maybe about five cubs. The cubs weren’t brand new, but not fully teenagers either - probably like the size of a medium dog, maybe 40-50 pounds. It was… magical. Twelve out of the 14 were passed out asleep, and two of the cubs were NOT TIRED! And wanted to PLAY! They kept wrestling with each other, or going over to jump on their sleeping dads (straight out of Lion King) and the males would wake up and gently ROAR “no, you’re annoying, stop” just enough to scare the cubs into going elsewhere. Watching these cubs tackle each other, balance all four paws on their dad’s big bellies, bite the big manes, plan their attacks and creep up as a game… I will never forget it. It goes under the list I’m keeping of “soul rearrangements” which I credit to my colleague, Erica, who went on her first safari last year and said that after the sunrise over the Maasai Mara while ballooning, she felt her soul had simply been rearranged. It’s a poetic way to describe a complicated feeling: gratitude, stillness, incredulity, you name it. The other vehicles started pulling away, but we stayed until the very last second, when it was officially dark and we had to go. I could have watched them all for hours. I often get a little bored at animal sightings, like ready to move on once I’ve seen it, but with these lions I was the absolute last one wanting to go.

We had an early bedtime because the next morning was a 4:30 am departure time for hot air ballooning in the Maasai Mara. WHEW. somehow, I had no anxiety dreams about oversleeping, and I fell perfectly asleep around 9:45 pm so kind of got a good night’s sleep. Woke up to the hippos and the hyraxes absolutely mooing and screeching away, and popped out of bed. We left at 4:30 and drove about an hour ish to the balloon launch site, across EXTRA bumpy roads. These types of roads are a weird combination of lulling you to sleep, while also not being quite comfortable enough to ever rest. The vehicles are as comfortable as you can get, but there’s not a great place to rest feet/heads/etc. Just when I was getting super over it (and in the pitch black) we pulled up to the large clearing, where several balloons were being fired up and the sun was slowly starting to rise. Probably about 25 total people there from all different safari companies, which I’m told is dead quiet compared to peak season. Krista and I were put in a balloon with about 7 other people. The balloon is divided into five compartments: one rectangle down the middle for the pilot only, underneath his controls; then four squares aligning with the four corners of the balloon basket, separated by thick wicker. You get in on your back, crawling in with the basket on its side, and laying down facing up, in each compartment. A little awkward, but you have to start that way so they can tilt the balloon and basket up once it’s fully inflated and ready to go. There’s a whole team of guys assisting the pilot and manning the balloon strings on the outside until it’s time to let us go. Then… up up and away! I wasn’t scared at all, like I thought I would be. We really don’t go THAT high up, and it’s very slow and gentle. They only balloon in a very calm, flat place of the Mara, so there are no trees or power lines or any obstacles. They say they can’t control WHERE you go, just the altitude and the general direction depending on the wind. All the balloons went roughly the same way and we flew for about an hour before landing. As promised, it was stunning. Just a million colors of the sunrise, paired with the vast panorama of the entire Maasai Mara stretched before us. Almost no sounds to be heard, other than the whooshing of the hot air gas being intermittently pushed into the balloon, and the birds. I spent most of the ride just resting my chin on my arms, on my corner of the balloon, taking it in. Like an hour-long, peaceful meditation. Landing went well, and then our driver picked us up to take us to the hot breakfast site that was being prepared for us and the others with the same balloon company.

We pulled up and were immediately served mimosas, and directed to our white linen tables as the crew finished all the breakfast prep. It was a buffet, with hot items made to order. They even had two pop up bathrooms with a tent around the toilets - called “loo with a view”. I sat next to the other people in my balloon, and the guy next to me introduced himself as Ahad and asked where I was from. I said Denver, and he was too! He lives right next to my old apartment in Five Points and we had much to talk about. He also runs a company that consults for management and employees and teaches them how to improve culture. I was like, were you planted here to marry me?? TBD if I think he’s cute or realistic but we definitely aligned in all the personality ways, so we’ll see when we get home. I also chatted forever with a girl from the nearby town, Norah, who was there because her sister is married to the guy who owns the balloon company. She’s 23 and I loved her. She doesn’t want to stay in her village and get married, she wants to move to NEW YORK CITY! I was thisclose to just asking for her routing number. She gave me her Instagram name to follow her but I didn’t have service, and when I went to look it up after, it didn’t work. Either she fake-numbered me or there was some kind of issue and I’m Very Sad about it, because we bonded hard. I even did like an hour of investigative journalism that night to try to get to the bottom of it using what I knew of her sister and the balloon company, but no dice. I’ll probably just hire a private investigator when I get home.

After all of this, it was only like 9:15 am. I had been up for almost 6 hours and had done so much already! Wesley and our balloon driver, Carol, drove us over to another area of the park when we were done, because they had heard there was a cheetah sighting. We did end up finding the mama in the distance, but she kept moving around and we couldn’t get too close, and didn’t want to stress her out. She was separated from her cubs but within eyesight of them, and we looked at them through binoculars. We turned around to leave, and then came right across the mama, 10 feet in front of us. Killed the engine and sat quietly just observing her massive, sleek, majestic form. She made a sound calling out for her cubs, and the four of them came sprinting over to her, and all five paused right in front of us. I still can’t believe it, even typing this. There are only 25 cheetahs left in the entirety of the Maasai Mara, and five of them stood within 10 feet of us. I wanted to cry. They slowly ran away, and we all sat there dumbstruck. Two days, two unbelievably beautiful big cat moments, with incredible luck, just served up for us. As soon as that happened, I felt like I could go home if I had to. No one could possibly stay this lucky. We got home and rested the rest of the day, and I got a massage and read by the pool. I feel strongly that rest and reflection are equally important parts of safari as the actual experiences themselves. It’s like meditating - you need to live life, then experience stillness. Too much of either won’t help, as they’re a precious balance.

[inatungulates]

Bush hyrax Heterohyrax brucei

Observed by ben_simms, CC BY-NC

[kenyatrunomadstours]

Things to Know To Enjoy a Vacation in the Wild on a Kenya Safari Trip

Kenya is famous for its wilderness and wildlife charm. Consider exploring and understanding the African safari destination for the best Kenya safari trip. 

The best of Savannah, mountain highlands, and landforms that hug the Indian Ocean are in the East African nation- of Kenya. It is a popular haven for big cats like the cheetah, buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros, and lion. 

Highlights of a safari in Kenya are watching the annual Wildebeest migration, viewing wildlife, and staying in exotic safari lodges. When you go on a safari vacation to Kenya, expect to enjoy unique wildlife experiences. 

What can be the best time for a safari trip in Kenya? 

The best time for a Kenyan safari is from June to October. You can also enjoy the best safari experiences during the dry season in Kenya. 

Top experiences of a Kenya Safari 

Exciting Game Drive 

Kenya safari tour’s most essential part is a game drive. You can enjoy a morning, late afternoon, or evening game drive to witness the wildlife in the wilderness. Game drives in Kenya’s best national parks and reserves help you experience the thrill of wildlife encounters. 

The Bird watching tour 

Kenya is home to the world’s most ferocious predators and many exotic bird species. 

There are over 817 bird species across the Kenya National Parks and Reserves. Consider a bird safari to explore the coastal estuaries, wetlands, rocky gorges, papyrus, Acacia savannah, and vast lowland. The most popular bird-watching tours are best in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Lake Baringo. 

Top Kenya safari destinations to explore 

The Masai Mara National Reserve 

The Maasai Mara Reserve is famous for its abundant wildlife, particularly the annual wildebeest migration. The wildebeest Migration takes place from July - October in Mara Reserve. The Masai Mara reserve covers an area of 1,510 km² and is home to a wide range of wildlife like zebras, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, and lions. 

Location: Southwest region of Kenya 

Top Attractions: 

The annual wildebeest migration 

Balloon safari 

Mara Triangle 

Bush camping. 

Park entry fees: 

Non-residents: $80/$70 per adult per day, $45 per child per day 

The Tsavo East and West National Parks 

The Tsavo East and West National Parks are two adjacent national parks in southeastern Kenya. The parks have diverse landscapes, including open savannah, riverine forests, and rugged hills. They are home to a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, and Rhino) and numerous bird species. 

Location: Located in Coast Province of Kenya in between Nairobi City and Mombasa Top Attractions: 

Tsavo East: 

The Galana River is home to crocodiles and hippos. 

Aruba Dam is a popular spot for wildlife viewing. 

Tsavo West: 

Mzima Springs is a series of natural springs with underwater viewing hides. ● Shetani Lava Flows, a vast expanse of the black lava flow. 

Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary is a protected area for endangered black rhinos. Park entry fees: 

Non-residents: $52 per adult per day, $35 per child per day 

Lake Nakuru National Park 

Lake Nakuru National Park is a protected area on the floor of Great Rift Valley in Kenya, known for its vast soda lake and abundant birdlife, including flamingos. The park is home todiverse wildlife, including endangered species such as the Rothschild's giraffe and black and white rhinos. The surrounding landscape features acacia forests and grasslands. 

Location: Great Rift Valley in Kenya 

Top Attractions: Rhino Sanctuary, Makalia Falls, Baboon Cliff, Lake Nakuru, and Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site. 

Park entry fees: 

Non-residents: $60 per adult per day, $35 per child per day 

Conclusion: 

A safari is the ultimate way to feel the real thrill of the diverse African wildlife. Kenya beholds many exciting things for its visitors. Experience the excitement and adventure on a Kenya safari trip with Kenya Tru Nomads!

[mnoonthego]

Day 21- Safaris by foot and bike!

Michelle and Teddy had recommended a visit to Crescent Island so we didn’t want to miss it. Jared from Elsamere Lodge picked us up and took us across the lake. There are a ton of greenhouses around the Lake which apparently send roses, lilies and carnations around the world so we had an interesting conversation about the environmental impact and how the government is trying to manage their impact on the lake.

We saw a ton of birds in and around the lake, fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, herons, egrets and more! There were many fisherman (yes, all men) working their nets and with rods from boats and the shoreline. Apparently tilapia and cat fish are a popular catch and trout is desirable but not found frequently.

Crescent Island wasn’t always an island but for the last five years even at high tide there is no land to cross. The animals on the island apparently came before it was a ‘full-time’ island. Hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, dik diks, bushbucks, buffalo, water bucks, and gazelles (both Grants and Thompsons) are all found on this small, walkable island (I haven’t even mentioned the birds but I should mention the pelicans as there was so many of them and they are pinkish). With no predictors around, you just roamed where you wanted and at times it felt like you could reach out and touch the animals! The girls joined the ”giraffe parade” and followed the giraffes for quite some time. So great to have such close encounters with the animals. On the boat trip back, Jared had caught a tilapia so we threw it in the air (which look remarkably like bald eagles) and watch the Fish Eagles swoosh down to pick it up. We arrived back in time for a late lunch at the lodge, I think my stomach is expanding due to these huge portions!

After lunch we headed to Hell’s Gate National Park where we had arranged for bikes so that we could do a bike ride through the park. As there aren’t a lot of predators here (isn’t one enough!?!?) you are able to ride the roads through the park. I’ve loved seeing obsidian everywhere! I don’t really think I have considered where it came from. We did a 15 km bike ride but we were pressed for time, so we worked hard to get out of the park before the gates closed. On our ride we saw wildebeest, giraffes, mongoose, zebras, buffalos, rock hyrax, impalas, and gazelles so another day of great wildlife.  

That night before dark we played another game of bocci and had to avoid both zebra poop and hippo poop. Of course, these animals are coming by in the night so only the security guide is seeing them. I haven’t seen any bush babies so he tried to help me find some but unfortunately, we couldn’t find any.

Tonight, there were actually other guests and so we had a buffet of fish (tilapa- not like the kind we have at home- its much better), lamb, vegetables and chipatis which I love! Again, a great, super filling meal.

[lenka-lostinpictures]

Bush hyrax. April 2019.

[thegrandbestiary]

Bush hyraxes (Heterohyrax brucei) huddling for warmth. (x)