From Samburu to the Mara, Nakuru to the Tsavos, for three amazing weeks Todd, Lindsay, Lori and I explored the wonderful parks and reserves of Kenya. Traveling at the onset of the short rainy season, we experienced an impressive mix of resident and winter migrant bird species, as well as exciting mammal sightings. Anecdotes, lifelong…

The Taita Hills as seen from the Lumo Wildlife Conservancy From Shaba Camp it was an hours drive into the Taita Hills where we met Jonam, our forest ranger guide. The Taita Hills are an isolated remnant of Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains and hold a few species not found elsewhere – Taita Apalis, Thrush and…

There was only time for a short afternoon visit to Tsavo East (above), which meant we were never able to give this wonderful park, Kenya’s largest, its due. Grey-headed Kingfisher, Hunter’s and Amethyst Sunbird, Von der Decken’s and a tailless Red-billed Hornbill were seen upon entering the park at the Voi Gate. Taking the loop…

We would have several mornings and the afternoon that we arrived in Malindi to visit various sections of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve. This is the largest remaining patch of native coastal forest in East Africa. We picked up our excellent local guide Willy and headed inland to the Cynometra forest, which makes up almost half…

The Galana River, which flows through Tsavo East, enters the ocean just north of Sabaki. Turning off the Malindi to Lamu road we worked our way through rain washed tracks and gullies to get as close to the sand dunes as we could. We passed an African Cuckoo-Hawk standing in grasses, and located a pair…

The Shimba Hills Lodge is a wonderfully constructed three-story timber “tree-house” set deep in the coastal rainforest. From our covered dining room verandah we were able to watch the floodlit watering hole for nocturnal creatures. Two Large-spotted Genets came to the bait-stand below us and were soon joined by an African Civet (above) looking for…

Heading east we passed numerous Kapok trees with white fibrous cotton hanging from the seed pods as well as Coconut Palms, a sure sign that we were dropping in elevation and getting closer to the coast. Before reaching the Indian Ocean we turned north heading for the Amani Nature Reserve in the Eastern Usambara Mountains…

Situated between Mount Kilimanjaro and the Indian Ocean, the Usambara Mountains (above) rise steeply from the surrounding Maasai plains. The drive from Mombo, up the windy road of the Western Usambara’s takes in wonderful mosaic scenery of agricultural plots, leading to the largest town, Lushoto. Sadly these slopes have lost their forests and even the…

Overnight an elephant had visited the baobab between my tent and Jan’s, and with its tusks had striped the bark. It then proceeded to the swimming pool for a drink, which did not sit too well with the night watchmen, who had to escort it out! A walk around the open compound before breakfast produced Abyssinian…

Once we reached the Tarangire Safari Lodge we settled into our tents before going to lunch. Situated on a bluff with a wonderful vista of the park this is an idyllic setting. The surrounding landscape is dotted with acacias and baobabs though it was extremely dry. From the patio we could see Elephants drinking from…

By late morning we were in Namanga at the border crossing. Once all the formalities were taken care of, we swapped vehicles and drivers for our seven night stay in Tanzania. The road south had many diversions and was very rough, having been temporarily created until the new Namanga to Arusha road is completed. In…

From Nairobi we took the better of the two roads, though longer distance wise, to Amboseli National Reserve. Fischer’s Sparrow-larks, Hildebrandt Starlings, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rufous-crowned Roller and Kori Bustard were seen along the road before we turned south onto a new good road! It was a beautiful morning and from a distance…