Single hippo in a small pool of water making aggressive gestures to show its might. Hippos are by nature quite aggressive and you have to be careful if crossing their path on a lake or a waterway. Hippos are usually seen in large bodies of water, but this one was different. This hippo was in a small pool of water that was surrounded by a savanna. The hippo was making aggressive gestures to show its might. It would open its mouth wide and then make loud grunts.
Next to our campsite in the Masai Mara one of the trees this morning was plastered with Flychatchers on all the upper branches. Very noisy congregation. These birds are actually quite beautiful. They have a reddish brown body with black markings and a long tail. Flychatchers are songbirds and can be found in many parts of the world. They typically live in forests or wooded areas, and feed on insects.
Had been trekking to the second peak from the Suswa campsite and was on the way back down when we stopped for some water. The view was magnificent on this warm afternoon.
The top of Mount Suswa is a beautiful but, windswept place. On a warm afternoon, there’s not much to see but the vast stretches of the Kenyan savannah and the occasional herd of grazing animals. But for climbers looking for an adventure, Mt. Suswa is a rewarding destination. The ascent is difficult but not too technical, and the views from the summit are stunning.
The mountain’s most distinctive feature is its twin peaks, which can be seen from miles away. The eastern peak is slightly higher than the western peak, and both are covered in scrubby vegetation. There are no trails to the summit, so climbers have to find their own way up through the boulders and scree fields.
The best time to climb Mt. Suswa is during the dry season, when temperatures are cooler and there is less chance of rain or thunderstorms.
Early morning and a handful of lions were still out looking for prey. Portrait of one leading this small contingent. Lions are the apex predators in Africa and can be found on the grass plains and in tall grass. They are active during the morning and evening hours, when they are most likely to hunt pray. Lions are very successful hunters and can take down prey that is much larger than themselves.
Looking back at the platue where Lake Michaelson is placed, in the background the peaks are visible and the waterfall behind Lake Michaelson can also be gleamed on the escarpment. Mount Kenya is a trekkers paradise. The slopes are covered in a thick layer of scree, which makes for an easy descent, and the views of the surrounding countryside are simply stunning. This mornings hike begins at the outlet of Lake Michaelson, where the river cascades down the mountain in a series of spectacular waterfalls. The trekking route follows the river downstream, winding through dense forest and past hidden valleys. The Going-Down-Hill River eventually leads to the moorlands below, where hikers can find respite from the sun in the shadow of Mount Kenya’s icy peaks.
Driving up to the moorlands in the Aberdares park you get a chance to see some of the fantastic waterfalls that the park has to offer. Chania Falls is one of them. The Aberdares are a mountain range in central Kenya that run for about 200 km. They form a natural barrier between the highlands and the Rift Valley. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area and are well known for their spectacular Chania Falls. The falls cascade down a sheer cliff face for over 50 m and are one of the most impressive sights in Kenya.
Flying back from Ukunda airstrip at the coast and we suddenly have a clear view of Kilimanjaro to the left. The ice fields are clearly visible and reminds me of the climbing experience on the mountain itself. The small Cessna Caravan airplane ascends steadily through the clouds, revealing a view of Mount Kilimanjaro. As the airplane gains altitude, the snow-capped mountain comes into view, its peak piercing the sky. The vast landscape stretches out below, with forests, rivers, and plains visible in every direction. The flight to Nairobi is a scenic one, offering passengers a glimpse of some of Africa’s most beautiful landscapes.
On a very pretty and bright morning we are peeking through the cliff opening revealing the beautiful Lake Michaelson. Mount Kenya is a magical place to climb and trek. Mt Kenya is East Africa’s tallest mountain and straddles the equator. Trekking to the summit of Mt Kenya, at 5,199 meters (17,057 feet), is a challenge that rewards climbers with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The mountain has two main peaks: Lenana, at 4,985 meters (16,355 feet), and Nelion, at 5,188 meters (17,021 feet).
Lake Michaelson lies in a glacial valley on the east side of Mt Kenya and is a beautiful sight shimmering in the sun. It’s a popular destination for hikers and can be reached from the Naro Moru or Chogoria routes. The ascent to Lenana takes about four days while the descent to Chogoria takes two days.
On the way to Nguruman town we passed a number of Masais herding their cattle around on the dry plains along the Nguruman dirt road. We stopped for a drink of water and asked if we could take a picture. Nguruman, Kenya is a small town located in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It is home to the Masai people who are renowned for their cattle culture and nomadic lifestyle. The town is also close to the Nguruman Escarpment, which offers stunning views of the Great Rift Valley.
The sun slowly setting over the horizon and we have just spotted a leopard roaming around the scrubs and bushes near one of the rivers in the Masai Mara game reserve. In the late afternoon, the sun is setting and a leopard can be seen roaming around the river banks. This leopard is a mother with her baby. She is hunting for food and trying to provide for her cubs. The leopard is agile and quick, able to navigate through the dense vegetation with ease. She moves along the riverbank, scanning the area for prey. Her baby stays close by, watching and learning from its mother.
The park’s namesake, Hells Gate, is a narrow gorge that bisects the park. The gorge was formed by the power of water over time erosion. The park is well known for its many rock formations. The most famous formation in the park is the Tower of Babel. The rocks are a popular destination for hikers and climbers.
The views from the top of the rocks are stunning and provide a glimpse into the natural beauty of Kenya.
The sun has barely peeked over the horizon, but two young cheetahs are already on the lookout. They have been up for hours, scouting the area for any prey that might be moving during the morning hours. The light is still warm and they take advantage of every moment to move around and get a better view of their surroundings.
They are out on their own and they are eager to prove themselves as competent hunters. The grasslands of Masai Mara in Kenya are a bountiful place for them to hunt and maybe they will bring dow a kill.
In the blue hour just before the sun disappeared behind the horizon, a small leopard baby was sitting on the other side of the river, calling for its mother on the opposite riverbank. Finally, it gained courage and swam across to reach its mother, another beautiful snapshot from the great grass plains of East Africa.
Early morning at the south coast, close to the reef two women collecting sea urchins in the swallow waters. As the sun starts to peek over the horizon, the women make their way down to the beach. The tide is low and the sea urchins are easy to find. The women carefully search through the swallow waters for their next meal.
Sea urchins are a common food source on the south coast of Kenya. They can be found at low tide, and the early morning hours are the best time to collect them. The waters are calm and there is less chance of being stung by a jellyfish.
The women use small buckets to collect the urchins. They work quickly, as they know that high tide will soon arrive. In a few hours, they will have enough urchins to sell at the market or use for dinner.
Not 100 percent sure due to the dark shadows but it looks like a Immature Dark Chanting Goshawk sittings perched high near the Shore side of Lake Nakuru. The Chanting Goshawk is a medium-sized raptor found in open woodlands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for its characteristic call, a series of high-pitched notes that sound like someone chanting “goshawk.” This goshawk is reddish brown above and barred below, with a black tail. It is the most common goshawk in Africa, and can be seen perched atop trees or soaring overhead. The Chanting Goshawk feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
A typical example of a traditional Swahili house at the south coast of Kenya. Building materials consisting of mangrove rafters, makuti roofing and walls made out of old coral stones. Beautiful light on a clear warm morning. Swahili houses are unique in that they are constructed using traditional methods and materials. The most common type of Swahili house is found on the south coast of Kenya, where mangrove rafters are used to create a makuti roofing. This type of construction is very sturdy and can withstand the harsh coastal climate.
