Big Five Snake Safari - Ever Heard of It?

Ever heard of the Big 5 Snake Safari- in reference to the popular term for the 5 most popular African Big Game species- Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant.

In this case- this Safari goes in search of the most impressive species of African snake- the Python, Boomslang, Puff Adder, Cobra and the Mamba. Some people may react with absolute horror at the very thought of actually devoting a safari to tracking down wild snakes, some of them deadly.

This trip is run by some of Kenya’s top reptile experts and professional snake catchers. The aim of the entire venture is to promote education and awareness of snakes, and to demonstrate through firsthand experience that these creatures play an important and fascinating role in African eco-systems, and rarely live up to their maligned and mythologized reputations as aggressive killers.

Anyone joining the safari will discover that snakes are extremely shy of humans, and will go to great lengths to avoid people.This makes finding the “Big 5” species in a single safari a genuine challenge. In fact, it’s this challenge that makes this safari what it is: an adventure- it involves a lot of travel through a range of habitats and landscapes, tracking down snakes through forests, dry river beds, rocky cliffs and mangroves. The safari takes in plenty of other wildlife along the way as well, as well as village visits, wild camping, rafting and time off on one of the world’s best beaches.

If you are looking for a wildlife safari that doesn’t involve taking photos from the safety of a vehicle, and would like to get out and explore and interact with wild animals up close and personal, and have a genuine adventure, then this is the trip for you. The genesis of Kenya Snake Safaris lies in the quiet coastal town of Watamu, about 2 hours North of Mombasa. Sheltered from the beach near the Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the home of James Ashe- one of the world’s leading experts on East African Snakes. James, 78, has devoted many years to the scientific study of reptiles, and runs Bio-Ken, a snake farm dedicated to the production of snake venom for medicinal purposes, and also to active education and conservation.

So what does a snake safari entail? First and foremost this is not a purely reptilian safari designed only for the obsessive herpetologist or snake fan. The safari passes through some spectacular landscapes, and you can be sure you’ll encounter plenty of big game- with legs- along the way.

The safari is mostly spent camping under canvas, but always with available showers and latrines, and excellent meals prepared by a camp cook.

A typical safari begins in Nairobi and winds its way to the coast over 12 days. The search for the Big Five Snakes takes clients through the Selenkay/Le’ngesem Maasai conservancy- a beautiful region known for its large elephant herds and views of Mt Kilimanjaro, into the Rift Valley through Lake Naivasha and Kigio- home to brilliant birdlife, on to the world famous Maasai Mara game reserve- where you may well see the original Big Five Mammals, then to the arid North East, and on to the Coast. Along the way, visits are made to spots specifically known as snake country.

Searching for snakes means plenty of time on foot. When snakes are spotted they are captured and restrained safely using grab sticks, and shown to the guests. Their biology, habits and habitats are explained and the guests have a chance to touch the snakes, and ask questions. All snakes are released back into the wild.

For many of the guests, this is their first chance to physically touch or hold a snake in hand most are suprised to find that they are neither slimy nor particularly cold, and not wildly aggressive.

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Trekking Mountain Gorilla in Rwanda

In the cool, misty highlands of the East African country of Rwanda,lives some of the last populations of the rare mountain gorilla. Rwaanda is residence to half of the world's 750 endangered mountain gorillas and the country has been at the front position of gorilla conservation effort.

The mountain gorilla is one of the world's most endangered species. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the gorillas' human security was gone so they were under threat of poachers which reduced them in number because they were 700 according to a 2002 census .Due to lack of peace and freedom, they also weren't having children due to the genocide but according to the census of April 2008, the number was 260 mountain gorillas inside Rwanda, and their numbers are increasing.
Mountain gorillas have enabled the country to receive over 20,000 visitors every year visiting the creatures which share more than 97% genetic material with human beings.

Rwanda nurtures the world famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which has more than half of the global population of an estimated population of 780 Mountain Gorillas. Located in south-western Uganda bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, this boasts over 326 Mountain Gorillas, the largest and rarest of all ape species.

In our next issue we will tell you the things to avoid while on that gorilla trekking safari but always remember: You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. 

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Reptiles - Among the oldest of all creatures

Reptiles arose over 300,000,000 years ago, having evolved from a salamander-like ancestor. They represent a completion of the transition from life in water to a fully terrestrial lifestyle. Waterproof skin and a water-resistant egg means that reptiles can live in places and ways that amphibian can't. There are over 8,700 currently recognized species, a large majority of which belong to the group Squamata, which includes the lizards, snakes, and worm-like amphisbaenians. This is how they are classified:

Sauria: Lizards

Lizards number over 5,000 species and come in a great diversity of body sizes, shapes, and colors. Many are "sexually dimorphic" in which the males, exhibit: brighter colors, larger heads, a more expanded dewlap (throat fan) and larger body sizes than females. In Kenya lizards are common in most parts of the country.

Serpentes: Snakes

The over 3,000 species of snakes descended from lizards and have highly derived characters, such as a jaw that disarticulates to swallow prey larger than its own head. The forked tongue of snakes allows them to sense scents coming from each direction, giving them a stereo sense of smell. Most of the species of snakes can be found at the Nairobi Snake Park, Arabuko Sokoke forest among other forests in Kenya

Chelonia: Turtles

First arising about 215 million years ago, the over 300 species of turtles comprise the oldest lineage of living reptiles. Thus, the evolutionary success of a shell has proven highly adaptive. Tortoises are one type of turtle that are particularly well adapted to life on land. In Kenya you can see these creatures at the Nairobi snake park, Haller Park, Watamu Marine reserve, Malindi and many other places.

Crocodilia: Crocodiles

There are 23 species of crocodilians, represented by crocodiles, alligators, caiman, and gharials. They range throughout the tropics and some into temperate regions. They are characterized by bony scales, water-resistant flaps over the ears, and extended parental care. They have been historically threatened by exploitation for meat and skin. In Kenya they are common at Lake Turkana, river Tana, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria and many other places.

Amphisbaenia: Amphisbaenians

The 178 species of amphisbaenians represent a highly derived lineage of lizards. Like their amphibian counterparts, the caecilians, they have evolved for a fossorial (underground) lifestyle, most species having lost their legs and most of the functionality of their eyes.

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Lake Bogoria spa Resort

Lake Bogoria Spa Resort is an Eden in a quiet, isolated cocoon of comfort in the heart of an amazing product of African nature- the Rift Valley. The resort is an oasis in the middle of the Savannah, set in the Acacia surrounding of the floor of the Rift Valley against the backdrop of the Eastern wall of the Tugen hills in the west.

Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its numerous geysers and springs, is 150km away while the capital city -Nairobi is just 300km from the resort.
The hotel is a paradise for bird watchers -the maraboo storks and other resident birds provide a lively welcome for you!

Accommodation:
Lake Bogoria Hotel comprises of 22 rooms in the main block and 23 private cosy cottages situated in a short walk from the main block and 4 of the rooms are VIP status.
Each room is self contained with:  Air conditioning, Telephone and safety locks

The lodge is the only naturally heated health spa in Kenya. It has a restaurant with a variety of mouth watering dishes and a classic swimming pool.
Activities while at the lodge include: Bird walks by a resident naturalist, Game drive.

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Kenya Airways to Resume Flights

Kenya’s National carrier, Kenya Airways, will resume fights between Nairobi and Abidjan effective May 2 2011.  According to the latest flight schedule published by Kenya Airways, there will be 3 flights every week operating between Nairobi and Abidjan.

Kenya airways, like many other international airlines had to stop their flights on this route due to the crisis that followed the elections in Ivory Coast. The prevailing situation raised major concerns for the security and safety of passengers, crew and even the aircrafts.  At the height of this unrest, the French troops took over the Airport at Abidjan.

 After weeks of various attempts at finding a solution, the situation escalated prompting intervention by the UN and the French.  Gbagbo, the former president was finally captured to make way for the Ouattara, his rival.

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Waterfalls in Kenya

Kenya is famous from many of its appealing natural reserves. Some regions have been advertised and have been promoted far above others. A good example is that of Thompson Falls found in Nyahururu. Undoubtedly this waterfall has more historical and cultural appeal not to mention its size and power. However there is so much more to discover off the beaten paths. There are other small wonders to behold in the heart of the country.
Case in point the Limuru Falls that flows against a milieu of thick green vegetation, one can actually secure a position above the fall and watch as it sneaks its way through the greenery before it breaks out through the cliff that is fenced by the bushes.
Chania falls on the other hand isn’t as accessible as the latter but it is just as breathtaking. It is also a catchment area and provides water for a large portion of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. Unfortunately such regions are facing the danger of drying up leading to nationwide shortages of water supply and electricity.
 Gura falls stands at 1000 feet in height across the valley from Karuru falls. They are similar to each other in that they are three tiered; meaning that they have more than one vertical leap as they flow into their deposit bowls. They seat across each other flourishing amidst the greenery of the Aberdare forest.
 Kenya’s longest river the Tana River flows from this forest and slithers across the nation for 708 kilometers before it finally deposits its waters into the Indian Ocean. Along the way it snakes into the Koru National Park where it ruptures into the Adamson’s falls. George Adamson, ‘father of lions’. This is because he had raised the lioness named Elsa from when it was a cub. His legacy lives on in the waters of the waterfall.
 The Galana River which is the second longest river in the realm runs for 390 kilometers as a result of the combination of the Athi River and the Tsavo River. The fourteen falls feature prominently on Athi River. Its name fundamentally defines it. It constitutes fourteen consecutive falls cascading over jagged cliffs, in a manner that is savage yet romantic.
 In the western province of Kenya the River Nzoia has given the people of Bungoma the gift of the Webuye Falls which helps to power the various industries that have been established. The river then proceeds to find its way to Lake Victoria attributing to the good agricultural yield of the region.

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