The marginalized minority wildlife in the jungle of Kenya have their rights too. These animals share the same natural habitat in the wild as the widely popular Big Five. And yet so few know about their existence or are keen to study the impact of their life patterns in the ecology. One among such animals that is unheard of is known as bongo that belongs to the antelope family. It is an animal that is alien to almost all wildlife safari travelers who come to the magical world of Kenya. The bongo antelope occurs in the remote forests of Kenya.
Articles by Val Jiwa
The abundance of Kenyan wildlife attracts tourists from all walks of life. This diversity is seen in the national parks. Popular yet exotic wild animals of Kenya are the caracal, banded mongoose, bat-eared fox and aardwolf. The name caracal comes from a Turkish word meaning black ear. Having a broad habitat tolerance, the banded mongoose inhabit grasslands, woodlands, riverine areas and rugged country. Seen mainly in the regions that are grazed by domestic and wild ungulates, the black-eared fox prefers to lounge in the acacia tree shades and favor short savannah and grasslands. An aardwolf belongs to the hyena family.
Hippopotamus weighs around 8,000 pounds making it the second largest land animal after the elephant. Because of its physique, people believe that it is a sluggish and slow animal. On the contrary, it is quite ferocious that can kill anyone in sight almost instantaneously. In fact, records indicate that hippopotamuses kill more people than any other animal. Interestingly, there are incidents from field researchers’ reports of hippos attacking boats mistaking them for crocodiles. Therefore, these fearsome-looking quadrupeds have long had a reputation for being very aggressive animals. The longevity of hippos is around 61 years on an average in captivity.
Hippos adapt very well in the water, be it rivers or lakes or any swampy or marshy areas. The nostrils, mouth ears, eyes and other facial features of a hippopotamus are located very high on its tilted head and are kept shut to keep out water. Its location on top of the head also enables it to keep watch for predators. Hence, they can breathe, see and even eat comfortably while mostly submerged in the water. They are such large animals with robust builds that they can lie in the shallows or merely stand or walk on the lake floor.
Kenya is known for the majestic wildlife, expansive beaches and pleasant weather that attract both international and local tourists. Undoubtedly, people are willing to spend for a getaway in Maasai Mara. Surely, tourists come in droves during the wildebeest migration or to see the big five. They even bask in the tropical sun because of the serenity in Kenya. However, many of these safari travelers to Kenya are not aware of the fact that the country is rich with ancient fossil heritage dating 100 million years ago. The Kariandusi prehistoric site lies on the southeastern side of the Rift Valley.
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Shs. 25,540/- half-board and Shs. ,/- full-board per person per night at Afrochic Diani. Valid until 31 March 2023. Closed until Mar 2026
The most famous thing about West Tsavo Park is the Kilaguni Lodge. It is now part of the famous Serena chain, which is central to the park. Kilaguni is a Kamba word, a vernacular language in Kenya, meaning “the place of the young rhino.” This lodge was the very first and the only permanent accommodation for a long time in a wildlife reserve or a national park of Kenya. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, officially opened this world-class establishment in West Tsavo in 1962 and is now a flying blue programme member. Staying there is an out-of-the-world experience.
Once upon a time of great hardship, loneliness, and adventure, in Deighton Downs, at the foothills of Aberdare and Mount Kenya and overlooking the Laikipia plains, lived a young African man. His name is George Waititu who is now the former Managing Director of Steadman. As he grew up enveloped in the wilderness, an immortal dream came unto him to convert an impoverished rural community. That idea became the exclusive Tafaria Castle established in 2012. Hence, it is fair to say that it was George Waititu’s motivation that paved the way for the existence of Tafaria Castle and Country Lodge.
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