KENYA, RIFT VALLEY
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife
habitats of the African safari region of Rift Valley in
Kenya.
To
request a private safari tour of the
Rift Valley in Kenya, click here >>> |
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Africa's
Great Rift Valley is a fault
in the earth's crust for over 3,500 miles (5,600km)
and contains numerous lakes both large and small.
In
Kenya the lakes are usually small shallow soda
lakes with crystallised salt turning the shores
white and alkaline waters in which algae and
tiny crustaceans thrive.
LAKE
NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
One such is Lake Nakuru, around which a National
Park was gazetted in 1968. It was created
to protect the large flocks of lesser flamingoes,
which turn the lake a vivid pink. The park
now protects other endangered species in the
woodland and bush grassland, in particular
black and white rhino. Game viewing is easy
in this park as the roads run through the
bush and along the lake.
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| LAKE
BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE
Lake Bogoria National Reserve is another alkaline
lake whose blue-green algae seasonally attracts
a million or so flamingoes, making it one of
the most colorful of all the lakes. The lake
takes up most of the reserve, which has a splendid
backdrop of the Siracho escarpment rising almost
sheer for 1,950 feet (600 meters). Orientation
is simple as there is just one road skirting
the lakeshore. Towards the end of the road are
some boiling hot springs, some of which spout
up to a height of 16 feet (5 meters), while
the rest just bubble away like a witch's cauldron.
LAKE
NAIVASHA
Further south is a beautiful freshwater lake
- Lake Naivasha, which is used extensively to
irrigate vegetables, fruit and flowers that
are exported fresh-cut to Europe. Fertilisers
and pesticides from these producers have seeped
into the lake, causing a decline in the aquatic
life. Nevertheless, it still harbours hippos
and plenty of birds. It does not have protected
status as most of the land around the lake is
privately owned.
It
was this beautiful lakeland area that was first
settled by the British in the 1930's and where
the 'Happy Valley' set made a scandalous name
for themselves. Many farms around here are still
owned by white Kenyans. |
| ANIMALS
& BIRDS
Lake
Nakuru National Park is famous for its flamingoes
and pelicans, and there is nowhere else you
can see black and white rhino browsing and grazing
with such a backdrop. It also has black and
white colobus monkeys as well as numerous antelopes,
buffalo and the rare Rothschild's giraffe. Leopard
are often seen during daylight hours.
Lake
Bogoria National Park has herds of rare and
handsome greater kudu, as well as buffalo, zebra,
impala, dik dik and other small mammals. 135
species of birds have been recorded here.
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| LAKE
NAKURU SPECIALITIES
· Thousands of flamingoes
· Black and white rhino
· Rothschild's giraffe
· Black and white colobus
monkeys
LAKE
BOGORIA SPECIALITIES
· Rare greater kudu
· Hot springs
· Flamingoes
· Fish Eagles preying
on flamingoes
SEASONS
Temperatures are very pleasant year round and
do not vary that much, with an average of 75°F
(24°C)
Rainy Season: April - June
- hot and wet (long rains), November - December
- warm and wet (short rains).
Dry Season: January - March
- hot and dry, July - October - warm and dry
FACTS
This is a malarial area.
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Follow the links below to Kenya's premier wildlife regions
and game reserves
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE RIFT VALLEY REGION |
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