Conservation | Safari Sense

22Apr 2024 by safarisense No Comments

Majestic Avian: The Ground Hornbill

City Tour, Conservation, Excursion, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Scientific Name; Physical Characteristics The regal Ground Hornbill, known scientifically as Bucorvus leadbeateri, commands attention with its impressive stature and distinct features. Standing at heights of up to 3.3 feet and measuring a remarkable length of 3.3 to 3.6 feet, the males typically outweigh their female counterparts, tipping the scales at around 8 to 13 pounds. Their plumage showcases a striking contrast of black feathers accentuated by vibrant patches of white and red wattles adorning their throat. A defining feature of these majestic birds is their long, downward-curved bill, which aids in their foraging habits. Distinct Differences and Lifespan In the savannas of Kenya, the Ground Hornbill stands apart from its hornbill brethren with its distinctive characteristics and behaviors. While other hornbill species may roam the same terrain, the Ground…

17Feb 2024 by safarisense No Comments

Exploring Nairobi: A Journey Through Time – Part XI

City Tour, Conservation, Excursion, History, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Image | Courtesy The first postal headquarters, constructed in 1906 on Delamere Avenue (currently Kenyatta Avenue), was originally based in Mombasa since its establishment in 1899. On our right, we passed Kipande House, built in 1913 as a train depot and later used for the issuance of IDs before being acquired by KCB in 1976. Opposite stands the Nairobi Gallery, originally constructed in 1913 as the District Commissioner’s Office, where records of births, marriages, and deaths were kept until 1976 when Vice President Joseph Murumbi and his wife Sheila sold their art collection to the Kenyan government. Image | Courtesy Turning onto Uhuru Highway, we marveled at the Nyayo Monument, created in 1988 to mark 10 years of former President Moi's rule and 25 years of independence, located at Central…

17Feb 2024 by safarisense 3 Comments

Exploring Nairobi: A Journey Through Time – Part X

City Tour, Conservation, Excursion, History, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Image | Courtesy Passing through Moi Avenue, we marveled at the Kenya National Archives, whose construction began in 1928, commissioned by the Bank of India, and was completed in 1931. Also located on the then Government Road is the Tom Mboya Statue, erected in 2011, in memory of the politician who was assassinated on July 5, 1969. Further ahead, we encountered the August 7th Memorial Park, which commemorates the 1998 terrorist bombings of the American embassy. Turning towards City Hall Way, previously known as Sergeant Ellis Avenue after Sergeant George Ellis, the first European resident who arrived from Newington Butts, Surrey, England in 1896, we passed through the Nairobi City Court (Supreme Court), built in the 1930s. The statue of The Naked Boy of Justice adorns its premises, erected in…

17Feb 2024 by safarisense 3 Comments

Exploring Nairobi: A Journey Through Time – Part IX

City Tour, Conservation, Excursion, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Image | Courtesy Turning onto Kimathi Street, formerly known as Hardinge Street during the colonial period after the first Administrator of the Kenya Protectorate, Sir Arthur Hardinge, we made our way to the Thorn Tree Restaurant for a cup of coffee, pausing first to acknowledge the Dedan Kimathi Statue. It was erected on August 15, 2007, in honor of Dedan Kimathi, a rebel field marshal fighting against British colonial authorities during the Mau Mau rebellion of the 1950s. “A relentless campaign to capture Kimathi and his insurgents was launched by the British colonial government’s tribal police that ended up capturing him alone early on October 21, 1956. After a laborious and intricate trial, on November 19, 1956 at the Supreme Court of Kenya in Nyeri, Chief Justice Kenneth O’Connor found…

17Feb 2024 by safarisense 3 Comments

Exploring Nairobi: A Journey Through Time – Part V

City Tour, Conservation, Excursion, History, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Image | Courtesy Our next destination was the Nairobi National Museum, a sentinel of Kenya's past, guarding its secrets with silent reverence. As we made our way in, Vlad and Olga were curious about the museum's storied history, from its humble origins in 1910 when a modest institution was born from the vision of the East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society, to what it is today. Image | Ernest Nyamasyo “The Nairobi National Museum was officially opened on September 22, 1930, and named Coryndon Museum in honor of Sir Robert Coryndon, a former Governor of Kenya,” I explained. With each step, we journeyed through time, from prehistory and the country’s rich tapestry of different tribes with their unique customs, to the dawn of independence—a testament to Kenya's enduring spirit…

30Jan 2023 by safarisense

Why Voluntary Waterfowl Bird Counts Play a Key Role in Climate Change Mitigation and Eco-tourism Promotion

Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari

The morning air was crisp and chilly as we looked across Lake Naivasha, ready to board the single engine boat. We were here for the annual waterfowl counts, and I was not disappointed. As soon as we set off around the edge of lake, a flurry of activity caught my eye. A pair of fish eagles was perched on a dead tree; their piercing calls filling the air. I quickly set up my DSLR, and watched in awe as they gracefully swooped down to catch fish from the lake. As we continued, we were surrounded by a symphony of bird songs. The lake was alive with hundreds of different species, from the colorful pink-backed pelicans to the elusive little grebe. Kenya is home to a diverse array of waterfowl birds,…

04Jan 2023 by safarisense

Experience: Mara North Conservancy

Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

A rolling savanna of more than 28.000 hectares, the Mara North Conservancy is home to a spectacular array of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals, including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and massed concentrations of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other migratory wildlife. Leopard Gorge in the heart of the conservancy is famous as the setting of countless BBC Big Cat Diaries and National Geographic documentaries. Bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara North Conservancy is vital for sustaining the famous Serengeti wildebeest migrations and the highly threatened African wild dog and black rhino. Mara North Conservancy has struck a novel and innovative partnership between the Maasai landowners and a consortium of tour companies to sustain wildlife, improve livelihoods and develop a high quality tourism destination. The partnership has the support of…

11Dec 2022 by safarisense

Great Game At Samburu National Reserve

Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Samburu National Reserve is a wildlife reserve in northern Kenya that is known for its diverse array of wildlife. The reserve is home to a wide variety of animals, including: • Elephants: The reserve is home to a large population of elephants, which can be seen grazing on the grasslands or wading in the rivers. • Giraffes: The reserve is home to several species of giraffe, including the reticulated giraffe, which is found only in northern Kenya. • Lions: The reserve is home to a healthy population of lions, which can often be seen lounging in the shade or hunting on the grasslands. • Leopards: The reserve is also home to a small population of leopards, which are elusive and difficult to spot. • Buffalo: The reserve is home to…

05Nov 2022 by safarisense

Experience: Lumo Wildlife Conservancy

Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

As we approached Nairobi National Park, the sun began to cast a golden glow across the sky. We were entering through the Main Gate, located just off the Lang'ata Road. With our backs to the city, it was easy to forget we were only a few kilometers from an international airport. The bush land in front of us stretched almost as far as the eye could see; dusty, flat, and rich in flora and fauna. With our backs to the city, it was easy to forget we were only a few kilometers from an international airport It was surreal and quite beautiful to witness the harmony of man and nature in a way that few people get to see. Zebras stood shoulder to shoulder with their backs to us, watching…

08Jul 2022 by safarisense

3 Benefits Online Safari Booking

Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, History, Holiday, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

I must confess that I was once a skeptic of online booking platforms. Living in an age of cyber crime had put me off the idea until I was forced to do so on a recent trip. When I booked online, I realized how simple the entire process is, as well as the perks one gets from the experience. Here are some advantages: It is practical No more standing in long lines or filling out forms. Online bookings, whether for a holiday or an excursion, are quick and easy. From the palm of your hand, you can book your dream safari to the ideal destination. It is less expensive Did you know you get discounts when you book online? Online bookings allow travelers to compare prices for various safari packages…

Category: Conservation