Camping Kenya: Kenya camping:The paradise restored

The long rains that are being experienced in most parts of Kenya have come with their desired pros as well as inevitable cons. One of the great pros is the restoration of the Kenya premium bird watchers paradise – Lake Nakuru National park

The pink flamingo thrilled shores have not only extended both north and south, but they are breath taking and awe inspiring. Unlike the months of January and February where one would only experience little patches of ‘drought stricken’ flamingos, the park is now thrilled with these colorful water birds.

The great concentration is on the southern lake along the mouth of River Makalia. There are also commendable concentrations on the westerns shore plains near the First President’s pavilion. The traditional Cormorant point near the mouth of river Njoro is now deserted most part of the day, but crowded in the early morning as the colorful birds wash their feathers to easy flying. Nonetheless, the great white pelicans have maintained on the southern shores.

The rains have also brought great foliage for the ungulates. There is live in the jungle. The ungulates that were relocated to other parks due to lack of foliage as a result of previous drought are now welcome back home.

The lions and leopards are becoming easy to spot day despite the long grass due to ease prey. The long grass is facilitating unimaginable camouflage making it easy to make kills. The versatile hunter – leopard – is seen sluggishly hanging on the low bending acacia trunks both in the Columbus forest and around Baharini spring/Maji Chafu forest. They have also been recently spotted near Naishi air strip and around the Blind corner.

The two rhinos that were ailing are now recovering after receiving treatment from mobile veterinary team of David Shedrick wildlife trust and Kenya wildlife service rhino unit. There are new rhino calves too – a great applause to the dedicated rhino team.

There are also incidences of weak buffalos and other ungulates drowning in the ranging rivers especially Makalia and Nderit rivers which have occasionally broke their bends incredibly presenting a great feast to scavengers.

Makalia falls is a must visit, while Baboon cliff and Out of Africa are presenting the most scenic panoramic platform of the season. The shores are wet and there is need to be cautious not to drive too much inward – there is no choking soda but there is the scent of algae and flamingo droppings.

In simple… the park is just a restored paradise!