Mount Kenya National Park and Lake Bogoria National Park

This article shall describe two national parks found in Kenya, Africa.  These two national parks are home to diverse wildlife and are perfect destinations for guests intending on going on an African safari.  The two national parks in Kenya are Mount Kenya National Park and Lake Bogoria National Park.

Mount Kenya National Park is, to the Kikuyu tribe’s people, the home of the Supreme being: Ngai, a name also used by the Maasai and Kamba tribes. In traditional prayers and sacrifices, Ngai is addressed by the Kikuyu as Mwene Nyaga: Possessor of Brightness. The names come from Kere Nyaga the Kikuyu name for Mt. Kenya, meaning Mountain of Brightness – Ngai’s official home.

Part of the mountain’s fascination is the variation in flora, including Giant Groundsel and Lobelia, and fauna as the altitude changes. The lower slopes are covered with dry upland forest, the true montaine (mountain) forest begins at 2,000m is mainly cedar and podo. At 2,500m begins a dense belt of bamboo forest which merges into the upperforest of smaller trees, interspersed with glades. In this area the trees are festooned with high altitude lichen.

These forest belts are host to many different animals and plants with at least 11 unique species. Game to view includes: Black and White Colobus and Sykes Monkeys, bushbuck, Rock and rock Hyrax, Greater galago, white tailed, buffalo, elephant and lower down Olive Baboon, waterbuck, Black Rhino, black fronted duikers, leopard, giant forest hog, genet cat, bush pig and hyena. More elusive is the bongo, a rare type of forest antelope.

The second splendid destination for guests visiting Africa on safari packages is Lake Bogoria National Reserve.  Most of the reserve is occupied by Lake Bogoria which is a spectacular sight, reflecting searing blue skies and the rose pink of flamingo. It has significant ornithological interest with 135 species of birds recorded. Like Nakuru, the alkaline lake waters grow blue-green algae which seasonally attract thousands of flamingos.

The surrounding bushed grasslands are home to a number of animals. The Reserve’s herd of the rare Greater Kudu makes it unique and other game to view includes: buffalo, zebra, cheetah, baboon, warthog, caracal, spotted hyena, impala, dik dik and many small mammals. The south shore has acacia-ficus woodland and to the north is a papyrus swamp.

Birds are in plenty . They include among others; little grebe, tawny eagle, pratincole, swift, little bee-eater, cape wigeon, yellow-billed stork, African spoonbill, augur buzzard, gabar goshawk, water dikkop, gret tit, starling, hornbill, crombec.

In conclusion, these two national parks in Kenya are home to diverse wildlife.  They are superb destinations for guests visiting Africa on safari.  Here guests will enjoy true Africa.