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03Oct 2021 by safarisense

About Samburu

Driving up north from Nairobi, that familiar feeling of excitement slowly grows and as the roads wind down towards the dusty, desert heat of Samburu, city life is now a distant memory. Samburu County is predominantly semi-arid with scarce erratic rainfall. Breezing past reticulated giraffes, pretty-eyed dik-diks and comical flocks of vulturine guineafowl, I’m headed for Maralal Town. Clearly, increased human dependence on forest resources along with variability in intensity and seasonality of rainfall, have resulted in prolonged drought and severe weather events in recent years as evidenced by the bare land sparsely covered in bush and scrub. In the Samburu ecosystem humans, domestic animals and wildlife co-exist sharing the same environmental resources, are exposed to common risks and in some cases antagonize the lives and existence of one another.…

19Aug 2021 by safarisense

Misadventure at Lake Naivasha

Bird_watching, Conservation, Holiday, Naivasha

There’re some experiences we try to gloss over when reviewing our travels. Not that they’re embarrassing, but probably coz of the mental stress they induce once recalled. Just the other year, at a time like now, I found myself on a motorboat, looking out for cormorants, pink backed pelicans, jacanas, and fish eagles, the air punctuated by different bird songs of Lake Naivasha’s approximately 400 recorded species. The lake extends like a vast sunlit sea, with dozens of water bird above and around the sparkling sheet of water surrounded by scenic hills and mountains. Amidst the sun’s reflections bouncing off the water droplets at the wake of the boat’s motor, colourful shiny-eyed superb starlings flit between the acacia trees on the shore, the backdrop made up of translucent tents of…

07Aug 2021 by Rei Mongela

Experience Tanzania: Your Ultimate Adventure Holiday

Conservation, Extreme, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

While on safari, every game drive is a trip into the unexpected.., a chance to encounter nature at its most raw. No wonder that for many, a trip to Kenya is firmly at the top of their wish list. What many people don't realize, however, is that while Kenya is the world's best-known safari destination, it is far from being the only one. ‘When you go on a Kenya safari, you are watching the most amazing film in the world. But when you go on a Tanzania safari, you are the lead role,’ says our driver guide with a hint of pride in his voice. A herd of elephants makes its way across the savannah. A leopard stalks through the grass. A pack of hyenas munch on a kill. Reminiscing…

27Jul 2021 by safarisense 1 Comment

#Tuesday_trivia: How Much Do You Actually Know About Kenya’s Cusine? Find out!

History, Wildlife Safari

Has the idea of food tourism ever came to mind? Well, Kenya is the place to be. Kenyan dishes are among the best you will ever devour. Ask any Kenyan who lives away and they will tell you how much they miss Kenyan cuisine. Kenya is a country with 42 tribes and almost every community has its own unique dish. The culinary scene varies throughout the country. The fact is you will never taste all of them but make sure you try the quiz below to test your knowledge of Kenya’s cuisine… [wp_quiz id="5130"] 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 &…

23Jul 2021 by Ernest Nyamasyo

Wildlife Photography Tips: Shooting Wildlife on a Cloudy Day

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

The sunrays peaking through the thick rain forest vegetation offer little warmth to the morning chill of the Aberdares. Raising the jacket zipper a little BIT, I scan the horizon somehow instinctively. I’m looking out for any disturbance in the lush green bush. An odd or sudden movement. Or a change in the natural flow. A few meters to the left, a lone male buffalo pushes through the brush, purposefully turning his head towards me, curious - sharp horns sending a clear message. I note the uniqueness of his boss; the bridge between his primary weapons… an indicator of his experience – an old male, probably at the end of his years. Finger on the shutter, I let go a few shots from the DSLR, but suddenly the clouds close…

13Jul 2021 by safarisense

Step-by-Step Guide to a Sustainable Kenya Holiday

Conservation, History, Holiday

The excitement of the annual Wildebeest migration after months of dreaming and planning for it has you briskly passing through Kenya’s frenetic capital for the ultimate destination. Maasai Mara. Of course, the holiday will pay off, as it usually does. If you’re into watching hundreds of wildebeest spilling over the croc-filled Mara River, or herds of elephants in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, or better still, lionesses stalking dusty savannah, then you won’t be disappointed - whether you’re looking to go on a luxury honeymoon, rough it on a camping safari or find family-friendly animal encounters. But there is more to holidays in Kenya than getting out into the bush. And if you're feeling inspired to leave a positive impact on your next trip, there are plenty of ways to…

06Jul 2021 by safarisense 1 Comment

#Tuesday_trivia: How Well Do You Know Kenya? Find out!

History, Wildlife Safari

Kenya is the home of the original safari and the cradle of humanity. The country is home to unique landforms, a myriad of blending cultures, and a long and rich history. But for many, Kenya is not so familiar. How much do you know about Kenya?Test yourself in the quiz below... [wp_quiz id="5023"]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"... Find out Experience more... Legendary Treetops Hotel – A Princess’s Turning Point Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari Legendary Treetops Hotel – A Princess’s Turning Point The visitor’s book at Treetops Hotel, Nyeri On February 6, 1952,…

21May 2021 by safarisense

Post COVID-19 Tourism Facing Threats from Species Decline

Conservation, History, Holiday

African Savanna Elephant | Status: Endangered | Threats: Poaching, climate change In 2019, researchers uncovered the fossils of a giant lion, which they named Simbakubwa kutokaafrika. It lived in what is modern-day Kenya around 23,000,000 BC. Its extinction probably not attributed to humans, we can only assume. However, the recent loss of three Rothschild's giraffes, one of the rare subspecies of giraffe, through electrocution by low-hanging power lines within a conservation area, shows how human activities contribute to wildlife deaths. Unfortunately, endangered animals species nearing extinction feature heavily in the latest statistics. The Rothschild's giraffe was classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species in 2010. Kenya’s has a population of only 609 Rothschild's giraffes. Rothschild's Giraffe | Status: Endangered | Threats:…

08May 2021 by safarisense

New eBird Checklist, Global Big Day 2021

Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, History, Nairobi Area

There was a slight breeze at 8 in the morning when I got out my DSLR to take part in this year’s Global Big Day. The air was unusually loud with bird songs, reminding me it was breeding season for our fine-feathered friends. Flamboyant and elaborate displays of prominent plumage colors blurred the camera lenses as different species showed off how strong and healthy they were, advertising their suitability as the best mates. And, honestly speaking, if there was ever a month to give bird watching a try, it would definitely be May. It’s arguably the best month of the year for urban birders, with Nairobi, my location of choice, boasting of about 700 bird species scattered in and around the environs. This month, breeding season is in full swing…

22Apr 2021 by safarisense

It’s Earth Day 2021

Conservation, History, Holiday

In the midst of a global pandemic, this year’s Earth Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to the environment and to our planet. And while climate change continues to pose a major threat to livelihoods, the devastation caused by the COVID-19 virus is a humbling reminder of humanity’s vulnerability The theme for 2021 is "Restore Our Earth" and focuses on restoring the world’s ecosystems through natural processes, emerging green technologies and innovative thinking. When it comes to travel, we need to start looking more closely at the ways we can minimize negative impacts and harm to the planet by adopting an eco-conscious mindset. Earth Day is an annual holiday observed on April 22, which was first invented and put into practice back in 1970 by John McConnell, a peace…

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