Photograph of flamingos on Lake Bogoria

Flamingos feed on blue-green algae, diatoms and crustaceans. The primary food source for the lesser flamingos is the microscopic blue-green algae, Spirulina platensis, found in the warm alkaline waters of the Rift Valley Lakes. The characteristic pink or crimson colour of flamingos is caused by a pigment derived from carotenes, in particular canthaxanthin, found in the algae.

Lake Bogoria is the most northern of three soda lakes that lie between Baringo and Naivasha. Luckily development has not yet reached this area and so it has, to date, retained its wild beauty and charm. The eastern side of the lake is dominated by the dramatic Siracho escarpment, which provides a spectacular backdrop. The lake is perhaps best known for its hot springs and geysers that bubble up from the otherwise still waters. At certain times of the year a ribbon of pink lesser (and greater) flamingos line the shores of the lake. The tranquility is broken by their ‘gabbling’ voices as they go about their frenetic feeding activities.

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The latest safari news.

We are in the midst of an exceptional wet season, with floods in many parts of the country. The river in Samburu burst its banks again recently, causing damage to the main bridge and also to several of the lodges. However, all the rain has meant that everywhere is beautifully green and lush, with carpets of wild flowers. The elephants in Samburu are certainly enjoying all the water in the river, in particular this bull elephant in the photos below who thought submerging himself entirely was great fun!

Some Safari News.

We are approaching the end of a busy season, having seen some amazing sights and met some wonderful people from all over the world. One of the highlights included a herd of elephants crossing the Amboseli lake flats with the setting sun behind them. Considering how dry it has been on the east side of the country the wildlife sightings have been superb.

The latest safari news. 

Dave was on safari over Easter and, despite the long rains having started, they managed to dodge the worst of the raindrops. Highlights of the trip included a python with 25 newly hatched babies in Baringo. Also a paradise flycatcher in the white phase, which is seldom seen feeding its young. Dave is now getting ready for the high season which starts for him on 16 June.

The latest personal news

One of the highlights of the year so far has been a trip with great friends from the UK who came to visit. We drove through some spectacular scenery, taking in the Rift Valley Lakes of Bogoria and Baringo and then on to the dry, arid region of Samburu which is one of our favourite places. We shared many experiences and returned home with lots of happy memories.

The latest safari news.

This season has been great fun, we have met some wonderful people and seen some truly amazing sights. In July and August there was a wet spell in the central part of Kenya, so much so that all the rift valley lakes filled. We visited Lake Nakuru to find that the lake was above the normal water line and, due to the alkalinity change, the shore was littered with greater flamingoes which are seldom seen in these numbers.

The latest safari news.

The rains have stopped and things are drying out, which is making it easier to find the mammals. The wildebeest migration has again returned to the Maasai Mara in force, and the cats are out to lunch daily. One of the highlights of the last trip was these two leopards in the photograph below. Leopards are normally solitary creatures and also very shy, so to see them sitting on a small island was quite a unique sighting.

The latest safari news 

Kenya has had a wonderful wet season and the entire country is emerald green. When the rains start the mammals disperse and so it is harder to find good mammal sightings, this being said I prefer running safaris in the wet season as the colours are so vivid, the country is bursting with life and awash with wild flowers.