Central Highlands of Kenya
Aberdare National Park, Nakuru National Park, and Lake Naivasha
Aberdare National Park: A Unique safari
Aberdare National Park, situated in Kenya's Central Highlands, offers a safari experience that is very different from the expansive savannah of the Maasai Mara. Established in 1950 to protect the Aberdare Mountain Range, this high-altitude park boasts a distinct blend of landscapes including rainforests, dense bamboo groves, and open moorlands at elevations reaching 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level.
This unique topography creates an atmosphere of misty forested hills, cascading waterfalls, and rare wildlife roaming amidst the shadows, making it a captivating destination.
Wildlife Encounters
While the focus here differs from the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra found in other parks, Aberdare National Park is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife. Visitors can expect to encounter:
Forest-dwelling Elephants and Buffaloes: These animals are a common sight.
Black Rhinos: The park is known for its significant population of the critically endangered black rhino.
Leopards and other Elusive Cats
Rare Antelopes: Aberdare is a stronghold for the endangered bongo, a large forest antelope that lives within the bamboo groves. Other antelopes, such as bushbuck and eland, can also be spotted in the higher moorlands.
Primates: Keep an eye out for black and white Colobus monkeys and Sykes monkeys.
Birdlife: Aberdare National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 250 species recorded, including the rare Aberdare cisticola, Jackson's francolin, sunbirds, and various birds of prey like the African goshawk and Ayres' hawk eagle.
Lake Nakuru National Park:
A renowned wildlife sanctuary known for its diverse ecosystems and stunning scenery. The park encompasses the shallow, alkaline Lake Nakuru, a Ramsar site known globally for its spectacular flamingo populations.
Here's what makes Lake Nakuru National Park special:
Wildlife
Rhino sanctuary: The park was established in part to protect black and white rhinoceros populations.
Birdlife: While renowned for the sometimes millions of flamingos that grace its shores, Lake Nakuru supports over 450 bird species, including pelicans, cormorants, eagles, and storks, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. The flamingos are attracted to the lake's abundant algae, a food source sustained by the lake's alkaline waters.
Mammals: The park is home to over 50 mammal species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, Rothschild's giraffes, waterbucks, hippos, and various antelope species. You might also spot pythons in the woodlands or see baboons at Baboon Cliff.
Landscape and features
Varied terrain: The park boasts a variety of habitats, including acacia and euphorbia forests, grasslands, woodlands, and rocky escarpments, offering diverse environments for wildlife and picturesque views.
The centerpiece of the park is the soda lake itself, which fluctuates in size with rainfall. It provides a crucial watering hole for many animals during dry periods.
Viewpoints: Scenic viewpoints like Baboon Cliff and Lion Hill offer breathtaking panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding landscapes, as well as opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Lake Naivasha: A jewel in the Great Rift Valley
Lake Naivasha is a beautiful freshwater lake located in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Known for its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, it's a popular destination for tourists and a crucial resource for local communities.
Here's a closer look at what makes Lake Naivasha so special:
Geography and geology
Highest elevation: Situated at 1,884 meters (6,181 feet), it's the highest lake in the Kenyan Rift Valley.
Fed by rivers: The lake is primarily fed by the Malewa and Gilgil rivers.
Fluctuating levels: The lake's water levels and size can fluctuate significantly, depending on rainfall. In 2020, its surface area increased by over 50%, displacing many people.
Surrounded by wetlands: A swamp covering approximately 64 square kilometers (25 square miles) surrounds the lake.
Volcanic origins: The lake is geologically recent and surrounded by extinct or dormant volcanoes like Mount Longonot and Olkaria.
Rich biodiversity
Birdwatching paradise: Lake Naivasha boasts over 400 different species of birds, making it a prime location for birdwatching.
Hippos: It's home to a large population of hippos, estimated at over 1,500 individuals.
Other wildlife: Giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, buffalo, and even leopards can be found in the vicinity of the lake.
Fish population: The lake supports various fish species, including Tilapia and introduced black bass, forming the basis of local commercial and sport fishing.
Papyrus forests: Papyrus reeds line the shoreline, and acacia forests grow further from the water.
