large land mammals

The hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and one of only two

existing species in the family hippopotamidae(the other is the pygmy

hippopotamus.They are seen often in kenya adventure travel in places

like Lake Naivasha.

african beauty

There is nothing beautiful than watching the sun rise and
set in Africa.Make sure not to miss a sundowner when
you visit for your kenya wildlife safari

Beisa oryx

The beisa oryx, have a grey coat with a white underside, separated from the grey by a stripe of black; there are also black stripes where the head attaches to the neck, along the nose and from the eye to the mouth and on the forehead.

 It is a true desert animal, with long, spear-like horns, thick, horse-like neck with a short mane and a compact, muscular body. The ringed horns are thin and straight which are found on both sexes and typically a measure of 75–80 cm. The dominance hierarchy among oryx is based on age and size. 

Like the other antelopes the oryx feeds in early morning and late afternoon. Their diet mainly consists of coarse grasses and browse from thorny shrubs. In desert areas they consume thick leaved plants, wild melons, and roots and tubers they dig out of the ground. With Some plants increasing their water content by 25 to 40 percent, so when oryx feed late at night or early in the morning, they maximize both food and water sources. They are able to store water by raising their body temperature. oryx are hunted for their meat and hide and  in many cultures, the horns of the oryx are sought after as charms; even in medieval England they were marketed as unicorn horns. Also lions, hunting dogs, hyenas and leopards. The oryx is a good example of an antelope that has successfully adapted to the harsh conditions of dispersed food, intense heat and little or no water. The female comes into heat soon after giving birth. The more frequent estrus cycles enable females to produce calves at 9-month intervals. 

kenya safari desk
Natural Track safaris

Mt Elgon

On the western boarder of Kenya and Uganda lies a magnificent land form of extinct shield volacano whose undulations and peaks give a shear feeling of untamed wilderness and secluded splendor. Its slopes support rich variety of vegetation from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the giant lobelia and groundsel plants all dictated by change of altitude. This is Mount Elgon National park!

The park boasts one of the most unique botanical diversity ranging from low attitude podocarpus and the Elgon Olive trees to the high attitude broad-leaf montane forest whose notable Ranunculus keniensis (previously thought endemic to Mount Kenya) occurs.

At the Endebess Bluff, there are panoramic view of the areas' escarpments, gorges, mesas, and rivers. The highest peak of Mt. Elgon on the Kenya side, Koitoboss, measures 13,852 ft (4,155 m), and is easily reached by hikers in about two hours from the road's end. Activities include; hiking to Endebess Bluff and Koitoboss Peak, Primate and bird watching, Cave explorations, Camping photography to mention but a few.

For bird lovers, you will be treated with a share of over 300 birds’ species including the endangered Lammergeier, African Goshawk and Baglafecht weaver. The Maathai Longleg an endangered dragonfly was discovered here in the year 2000 and named after Nobel Prize winner Wangari Mathaai.

Together with the fauna and flora, the park has a variety of scenery such as cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The most popular areas are the four explore-able, vast caves where frequent night visitors such as elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls, enters 200m into the side of Mt. Elgon.

Recent studies have shown that elephants and other mammals are major contributors to the development of these unique caves. The animals frequently visit the caves at night to 'mine' the natural salt by licking it from the cave walls. The caves are mapped and Kitum, Chepnyali, and Mackingeny can be explored by visitors to the park

From a cultural and ancient sustainable utilization and exploration, the park is popular for the setting of parts of Richard Preston's book ‘The Hot Zone’ with Kitum being the most popular part in setting of the book. Undoubtedly, Henry Rider Haggard's well-known novel 'King Solomon's Mines' may have also been inspired by the panoramic caves of Mt Elgon.

Other attractions include ancient cave paintings near the trailhead at Budadiri, and hot springs in the former volcano's crater which bubble at temperatures of up to 48°C

Karibu Elgon!

budget holiday in kenya

Natural Track Safaris

massive elephants of africa

      adventure travel in kenya ? you will be amazed by the heards of elephants.

      

Hippo

Hippos sun bathing in masai mara.