Kenya camping:African Elephants

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They are slightly larger than their Asian cousins and can be identified by their larger ears that look somewhat like the continent of Africa.

They are native to a wide variety of habitats including semi-desert scrub, open savannas and dense forest regions. Their habitat ranges from sea level to 16,000 feet (4,877 m). Considered the largest living land animal (weighs up to 5,400kg) the Africa elephants inhabits the Savannah, brush, forest, river valleys, and semi-desert regions of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.  Besides its greater size, it differs from the Asian elephant in having larger ears and tusks, a sloping forehead, and two “fingers” at the tip of its trunk, compared to only one in the Asian species.

African elephants are the species of elephants in the genus Loxodonta one of the two existing genera in Elephantidae. Although it is commonly believed that the genus was named by Georges Cuvier in 1825, Cuvier spelled it Loxodonte. An anonymous author romanized the spelling to Loxodonta and the ICZN recognizes this as the proper authority

Fossil members of Loxodonta have only been found in Africa, where they developed in the middle Pliocene. Two subspecies are recognized: the savannah (or bush) elephant (Loxodonta africana africana), and the forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis).

Savannah elephants are larger than forest elephants, and their tusks curve outwards. In addition to being smaller, forest elephants are darker and their tusks are straighter and downward pointing. There are also differences in the size and shape of the skull and skeleton between the two subspecies.

The African forest elephant has a longer and narrower mandible, rounder ears, and different number of toenails, straighter and downward tusks, and considerably smaller size. With regard to the number of toenails: the African bush elephant normally has four toenails on the front foot and three on the hind feet, the African forest elephant normally has five toenails on the front foot and four on the hind foot (like the Asian elephant), but hybrids between the two species commonly occur.

Both male and female African elephants have tusks they use to dig for food and water and strip bark from trees. Males use the tusks to battle one another, but the ivory has also attracted violence of a far more dangerous sort.

Because ivory is so valuable to some humans, many elephants have been killed for their tusks. This trade is illegal today, but it has not been completely eliminated, and some African elephant populations remain endangered.

Poaching significantly reduced the population of Loxodonta in certain regions during the 20th century. An example of this poaching pressure is in the eastern region of Chad—elephant herds there were substantial as recently as 1970, with an estimated population of 400,000; however, by 2006 the number had dwindled to about 10,000. The African elephant nominally has governmental protection, but poaching is still a serious issue.

African elephants are capable of making a wide variety of vocal sounds, such as grunts, purrs, bellows, whistles, and the obvious trumpeting.  Elephants and people have always had an interesting relationship.  

In the savannah subspecies, each family unit usually contains about 10 individuals, although several family units may join together to form a 'clan' consisting of up to 70 members led by a female. Forest elephants live in smaller family units.

These hungry animals do not sleep much, and they roam over great distances while foraging for the large quantities of food that they require to sustain their massive bodies

Despite their great weight, which in African elephants reaches 15,400 pounds and in Indian elephants reaches 11,000 pounds, elephants walk almost noiselessly and with exceptional grace, their columnar legs keeping their bulk moving forward in smooth, rhythmic strides. A thick cushion of resilient tissue grows on the base of the foot, absorbing the shock of the weight and enabling the animal to walk high on its hoof-like toes. Elephants normally walk about 4 mph and can charge at up to 25 mph.

Welcome to Africa and Enjoy great sights of African Elephants!

Peter K. Philip

Adventure Kenya camping safaris,

Natural Track Safaris

Kenya camping:Tanzania Story – A drive through Time and Diversity

Covering approximately 365,000 square miles (945,000 square kilometers)—an area about one and one-half times the size of Texas, Tanzania lies on the east coast of Africa, just south of the equator. It shares borders with Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Indian Ocean. 

Tanzania also shares three great lakes—Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi—with its neighbors. The country is comprised of a wide variety of aggro-ecological zones: low-lying coastal plains, a dry highland plateau, northern savannas, and cool, well-watered regions in the northwest and south.

The 120 ethnic groups that inhabit Tanzania have adapted to a wide range of geophysical and climatic conditions. The specific habits, customs, and life-views of each group have been influenced by tribal traditions and alliances, European invasions, population movements over the centuries, and introduced and endemic diseases.

In the late 1990s, the central political administration was moved from Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast to the more centrally located city of Dodoma, which lies in the middle of the central plateau. Because of Dodoma's dry climate, relative lack of economic development, and small size, however, the port of Dar es Salaam remains the urban center of national importance.

While each ethnic group speaks its own local language, almost all Tanzanians are also fluent in the national language, Swahili ( Kiswahili in Swahili), a coastal Bantu language strongly influenced by Arabic. The second official language is English, a vestige of the British colonial period. Most Tanzanians with postsecondary educations speak both official languages fluently in addition to their tribal language.

The country’s first president and founder father Mwalimu J. Nyerere encouraged the adoption of Swahili for all Tanzanians in a concerted and successful effort to enable people from different parts of the country to communicate with one another and to encourage them to identify themselves as one people. The use of a single common language has greatly facilitated

The current population in Tanzania is approximately 30 million, comprised of indigenous peoples and Pakistani, Indian, Arab, and European subpopulations. There are heavy population concentrations in the urban centers (including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tabora, and Mbeya), in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, and along the coast of Lake Malawi.

It is said that the mainland portion of what is now Tanzania was named by a British civil servant in 1920, from the Swahili words tanga (sail) and nyika (bright arid plain). Thus, what was known formerly as German East Africa became Tanganyika Territory.

In 1964, Tanganyika was joined with Zanzibar, an offshore archipelago of islands, to form the present United Republic of Tanzania. Because of a unique combination of historic and cultural factors, Tanzanians share strong feelings of national pride and cohesion.

This sense of nationalism has served to keep the country at peace for over two decades, while most of its neighbors have been involved intermittently in catastrophically destructive civil and cross-border wars. Tanzanians have been able to resolve most internal problems without resorting to violence because of a shared language, the lack of political or economic dominance by any ethnic group, and the strong leadership provided by Julius Nyerere (1922–1999), the first president of Tanzania.

At the same time, however, repressive, corrupting influences emanating from the colonial, socialist, and capitalist eras have fostered among many Tanzanians an attitude of dependency and fatalistic resignation that helps keep the country one of the poorest in the world.

Tanzania was cradle to some of the earliest hominids on earth, made famous by the discoveries of Louis and Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge. Bantu-speaking peoples migrated to eastern Africa at the same time that trade between Arabic-speaking peoples and coastal populations was initiated in the first century B.C.E. By the twelfth century, Arab trading posts were well established along the coast and on some islands. 

Peter K. Philip

Adventure Kenya camping safaris,

Natural Track Safaris

Kenya camping:Golfing in Kenya – Impressive, Spectacular, Challenging

Golf lovers are spoilt for choice by the range of fine courses in the beautiful Kenyan. With golf courses in the capital, Nairobi, up-country and at the coast Kenya has an impressive range of facilities in spectacular locations to tempt lovers of the game

The year-round tropical climate in Kenya lends itself perfectly to golf. Average temperatures are 18 ̊C and visitors are guaranteed fine weather and the most courses are well kept. Most of the clubs offer top quality accommodation, making them ideal for serious golfers and those in golfing holidays.

There are more than 40 golf clubs dotted across the country and golfers can choose to play either 9-hole or 18-hole courses. Each has its own unique features and scenery along with difficulty rating and range length.

One of the oldest courses in the country, the Muthaiga Golf & Country club is rightly considered a premier golf destination. The course, which is also home to the Kenya Golf Union, features a tastefully designed and luxurious clubhouse along with tennis courts, a swimming pool and a top quality catering.

This challenging course is suitable for both professional and amateur players and hosts the main event in the nation’s golfing calendar, the Kenya Open.

The course is an exclusively members’ club, but visitors are welcome to play by prior arrangement. Re-opened in 2004 after major refurbishment, the course has new greens and a beautiful layout stretching over 18 holes (Par 71, 6,893 yards) with beautiful landscaped scenic lakes.

Located just 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Nairobi, Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club is another impressive and popular golfing holiday venue that also plays host to international golf tournaments. The course winds its way through indigenous forests and coffee plantations, offering fine views of Mount Kenya.

The par-72 course has 18 challenging holes notably the 14th hole, with its blind greens, bunkers and water hazards, and the notorious 18th hole, with its ‘island’ green. In addition to the golf course, there is an impressive five-star hotel offering top-quality accommodation and catering. The club also has floodlit tennis courts, squash courts and a 5km jogging track.

Also within the luxuriant suburbs of Nairobi is the Karen Golf and Country Club, in the Ngong Hills. Karen is an 18-hole championship course, par70, with a total length of 6,630 meters. This famously challenging course plays host to various events including the Kenya Open.

Popular with Nairobi’s Elite, the course has a beautiful clubhouse as well as smart tennis courts and a pro shop. The course features impressively maintained fairways and lush greens. The setting is beautiful, with lakes, indigenous trees and flowering shrubs.

Away from Nairobi, Mount Kenya Safari club is a charming upcountry course on the slopes of Mount Kenya, 190km or two and half hours’ drive from Nairobi. This is a nine-hole course, par 27 and 2,184 meters in total, featuring several water hazards.

While not the most challenging of courses, it is certainly worth playing if only for the beauty of the scenery, with stunning views of Mount Kenya from all parts of the course.

In a fine location overlooking Lake Naivasha, with the extinct mount Longonot as a backdrop, the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort features a demanding 18-hole course with lush fairways, well nurtured greens and tricky slopes of the 18th green.

With a total length of 6,580 yards, this par-72 course offers fine views of the surrounding scenery and a quiet atmosphere. The resort also has a driving range, practice greens, a pro shop, two tennis courts, a bowling green and a swimming pool.

The Great Rift Valley course is an attractive challenge for both amateurs and professionals, while the lodge itself offers top quality accommodation.

Less than one hour drive from Naivasha, the Nakuru Golf Club is located 160km from Nairobi on the slopes of the extinct Menengai crater. This is a par-73 championship course with 18holes laid out over 6,802 yards.

As the only uphill course in Kenya, it is undeniably challenging to play but enjoyable too. The course offers beautiful views of Lake Nakuru and its millions of flamingos as well as Menengai crater and in the distance, the escarpments of the rift valley

The club plays host to the annual Coronation Trophy. There is a pleasant restaurant located within the clubhouse.

Offering a memorable golfing experience on the coast is the Leisure Lodge Golf Club at Ukunda, which has become a favorite with holidaymakers staying at hotels in the area. With a total length of 6,084 metres, this finely maintained 18-hole championship course plays host to some of the region’s top amateur golf fixtures including the Nine Nation Zone VI Championship.

The club itself is part of the Leisure Lodge Resort which offers luxurious and catering facilities. Golf carts are available for hire from the club.

Peter K. Philip

Adventure Kenya camping safaris,

Natural Track Safaris