safarisense | Safari Sense

12Aug 2025 by safarisense No Comments

Trivia: How well do you know about the African Elephant? Find out!!

[os-widget path="/safari-sense/59e4c256-c9d9-43b6-a7d5-07b31be19cf3"] Book your Safari Sense experience here [caldera_form id="CF5efae8fe3eed9"] Our passion for nature and travel is reflected in our understanding of the need to experience the natural environment in a sustainable and unique way. Our commitment to you is "The Perfect Balance between Nature & Discovery, Adventure & Luxury"... Whiskers in the Grass: Tracking the Secretive Serval Conservation, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari Whiskers in the Grass: Tracking the Secretive Serval Image | Ernest Nyamasyo The sun is barely peeking above Nairobi’s skyline when my guests and I bump down the red-dust trail into the wilderness of Nairobi National Park—Africa’s only national park with a capital city for a neighbor. Zebras blur past in early light, and giraffes crane their necks against a backdrop of high-rises. But I’m not watching…

10Jul 2025 by safarisense No Comments

Whiskers in the Grass: Tracking the Secretive Serval

Conservation, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo The sun is barely peeking above Nairobi’s skyline when my guests and I bump down the red-dust trail into the wilderness of Nairobi National Park—Africa’s only national park with a capital city for a neighbor. Zebras blur past in early light, and giraffes crane their necks against a backdrop of high-rises. But I’m not watching the giants this morning. I’m looking for a ghost in the grass. “Mondo,” I whisper to the guests. That’s Swahili for Serval, the long-legged, small-bodied, big-eared feline phantom we’re hoping to glimpse. With the scientific name Leptailurus serval, this spotted cat isn’t as famous as the lion or cheetah, but trust me—when you see one, it’s unforgettable. Imagine a creature sculpted for stealth: about a meter long, weighing up to 13…

03May 2025 by safarisense 1 Comment

Chasing Shadows: Elusive Felines of Mara North Conservancy

Conservation, Maasai Mara, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo There’s a moment, just before dusk falls over the golden plains of Kenya’s Mara North Conservancy, when the air seems to still, and every sense sharpens. It’s as if the land itself holds its breath. That’s when I know—Chui is near. The Swahili name for the leopard rolls off the tongue like a secret. It means stealth, elegance, and the thrill of a sighting that even the most seasoned guides can’t quite predict. The leopard (Panthera pardus), after all, is a master of vanishing. Unlike the loud, swaggering lions or the bustling hyenas, the leopard glides through the shadows, a ghost in dappled gold. Its coat, an exquisite tapestry of rosettes on a background that shifts from pale cream in dry country to deep orange or…

15Feb 2025 by safarisense 1 Comment

Trivia: How well do you know about Hippos? Find out!!

Wildlife Safari

[os-widget path="/safari-sense/4d5027c2-d5ad-4b98-886c-89b407538e3c"] Book your Safari Sense experience here [caldera_form id="CF5efae8fe3eed9"] Our passion for nature and travel is reflected in our understanding of the need to experience the natural environment in a sustainable and unique way. Our commitment to you is "The Perfect Balance between Nature & Discovery, Adventure & Luxury"... Chasing Shadows: Elusive Felines of Mara North Conservancy Conservation, Maasai Mara, Wildlife Safari Chasing Shadows: Elusive Felines of Mara North Conservancy Image | Ernest Nyamasyo There’s a moment, just before dusk falls over the golden plains of Kenya’s Mara North Conservancy, when the air seems to still, and every sense sharpens. It’s as if the land itself holds its breath. That’s when I know—Chui is near. The Swahili name for the leopard rolls off the tongue like a secret. It…

13Nov 2024 by safarisense 2 Comments

The Nile Monitor Lizard: East Africa’s Water Dragon

Conservation, Maasai Mara, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo The Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) is a formidable and fascinating reptile indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. This impressive creature can reach lengths of up to 7 feet, with males typically larger and heavier than females. Males can weigh between 44 to 55 pounds, while females are slightly smaller, averaging around 33 to 44 pounds. With a lifespan extending up to 20 years in the wild, these lizards are a testament to the resilience and adaptability of reptilian life. East Africa is home to a variety of monitor lizard species, each with unique characteristics. Apart from the Nile monitor, the region hosts the savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) and the rock monitor (Varanus albigularis). The savannah monitor, smaller and more robust, is often found in drier areas, distinguished…

15Oct 2024 by safarisense 1 Comment

Trauma Counselor? A Brush with a Bumpy Landing!!

Conservation, Game drive, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo Few things inspire awe quite like an African sunrise. But on this particular morning, the spectacle of the savanna was eclipsed by a far different kind of drama. Our small plane was moments from landing at our destination when a series of unsettling grinding noises filled the cabin. The pilot, a stoic man with a weathered face, announced a "minor landing gear issue" over the intercom. My heart thumped a frantic counterpoint to the grinding. Glancing at my clients, I saw a tapestry of fear etched on their faces. Wide eyes, clenched jaws – the usual safari chatter had evaporated, replaced by a suffocating silence. As a flight attendant hurried forward, the pilot, our only beacon of calm amidst the rising anxiety, assured us of a…

30Aug 2024 by safarisense 3 Comments

Trivia: How well do you know about Whale Sharks? Find out!!

Wildlife Safari

[os-widget path="/safari-sense/7c1984ea-e89a-4a44-b9dc-9491011f3c4d"]Book your Safari Sense experience here[caldera_form id="CF5efae8fe3eed9"]Our passion for nature and travel is reflected in our understanding of the need to experience the natural environment in a sustainable and unique way. Our commitment to you is "The Perfect Balance between Nature & Discovery, Adventure & Luxury"... Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent© Bird_watching, Conservation, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent© Image | Ernest Nyamasyo Scientific Name; Physical Characteristics The Green Wood Hoopoe, scientifically known as Phoeniculus purpureus, presents a striking appearance. This slender, blackish bird boasts a green-blue iridescence across […] Unveiling Kenya’s Time Capsule: A Journey with Our Ancestors #LetsGo City Tour, Excursion, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area Unveiling Kenya’s Time Capsule: A Journey with Our Ancestors #LetsGo Kenya, with its rugged…

28Aug 2024 by safarisense No Comments

Baptism by Lion: A Young Tourist’s Unforgettable Encounter!!

Camping, Conservation, Game drive, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo They say a safari isn't complete without a brush with danger. Now, I've dodged mock elephant charges and stared down grumpy rhinos, but never in my years guiding have I witnessed such a raw exchange as the one between Olga, a wide-eyed eighteen-year-old on her first safari, and a magnificent male lion.We were cruising the savanna on a routine game drive when we encountered a pride of lions lazing in the tall grass. As is typical, one particular male, decided to grace us with his presence. He rose and ambled purposefully towards our vehicle. Now, lions often use game tracks as paths, and this fellow's chosen route just happened to bisect ours. He wasn't charging, just exercising his right of way. Still, Olga, perched alone in…

26Aug 2024 by safarisense No Comments

Trivia: How much do you know about the African Wild Dog? Find out!!

Wildlife Safari

[os-widget path="/safari-sense/6e74da41-81bd-450a-b0c7-9082ed111f42"] Book your Safari Sense experience here [caldera_form id="CF5efae8fe3eed9"] Our passion for nature and travel is reflected in our understanding of the need to experience the natural environment in a sustainable and unique way. Our commitment to you is "The Perfect Balance between Nature & Discovery, Adventure & Luxury"... Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent© Bird_watching, Conservation, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent© Image | Ernest Nyamasyo Scientific Name; Physical Characteristics The Green Wood Hoopoe, scientifically known as Phoeniculus purpureus, presents a striking appearance. This slender, blackish bird boasts a green-blue iridescence across […] Unveiling Kenya’s Time Capsule: A Journey with Our Ancestors #LetsGo City Tour, Excursion, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area Unveiling Kenya’s Time Capsule: A Journey with Our Ancestors #LetsGo Kenya,…

10Jul 2024 by safarisense 10 Comments

Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent©

Bird_watching, Conservation, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo Scientific Name; Physical Characteristics The Green Wood Hoopoe, scientifically known as Phoeniculus purpureus, presents a striking appearance. This slender, blackish bird boasts a green-blue iridescence across its plumage, particularly noticeable in certain lights where it shimmers with hues of green, blue, and violet. Its most prominent features include a long, graduated tail, and a distinctively long, curved red bill which is a hallmark of the species. During flight, the white wing bars and white-tipped tail feathers serve as distinctive markers. Male and female wood hoopoes share similar appearances, although females tend to be slightly smaller with shorter bills. Immature hoopoes exhibit duller colors and shorter, curved black bills. Size and Lifespan Green Wood Hoopoes typically measure between 38 to 41 centimeters in length. Regarding lifespan, these…

Author: safarisense