Here is an image of perhaps the most beautiful bit of NNP: the Athi Basin, in the east of the park. Although most of Kenya is receiving/has received good rains by now, ending the drought, Athi River seems to have been left out.
The result is that for the second (or even third?) year running, the migratory species (especially zebra) are still confined to the park & especially the western end, where the rains have been good.
Above is the Athi Dam, which threatens to disappear completely unless there is heavy rain soon….will the resident crocs migrate down to the Hippo Pools on the Empakasi River (now thankfully full of brown soil-filled floodwater? I suspect they’ve already gone….
The Athi Basin, with the Athi Dam in the foreground & the industrial conurbation that is Athi River township beyond…
The image above clearly shows the incredible paradox of the park: 150 sq kilometres (park plus neighbouring sanctuaries & immediate dispersal area) surrounded by urban/suburban areas such as the fast growing dormitory town of Kitengela (the mabati roofs glinting on the horizon.)
Foreground the park down to the riverine boundary, mid distance, sheep & goat land (beloved by wildebeest & Masai cattle camps designed to graze cattle in the park -now empty owing to drought in this area….)background Kitengela.
The almost complete denudation of vegetation in the park has made it very easy to see our resident black rhinoes, which I estimate at 35. The rhino patrol in the park has ceased operation for the last 2 years. Why?
Two cows probably a mother & mature calf at the top of the Sosian Valley. Notice the notched ear, which is how individuals are recognisable. Not all the rhinoes in the park are marked in this way, however…..
One Comment
Amazing pictures mate. I like it very much. nairobi is the best park where you can see a variety of wild life