Flamingos, wildlife bask in Amboseli

Flamingos wade in wetlands in Amboseli National Park, South Kenya. PHOTOS BY EDGAR R. BATTE

What you need to know:

Wild and lovely. No one can get enough of the wild once they appreciate the therapy it brings to the soul of the traveller, writes EDGAR R. BATTE .

From the sneaky hyenas, the prized wildebeest, graceful crested cranes, forgetful pumba, towering giraffes all in the savannah grasslands, nature seems to connive to satisfy the hunger of travellers in Kenya.

Flamingo territory
When the driver makes his next stop, there is something distinct. Different shades of pink stand strongly against the dark waters of the lake. Every two or so seconds, a flamingo or couple lowers their beaks to reach out for something to feed on from the waters and the caked soil formation.

A photographer could have spent a day documenting the unique feather light beauties of Amboseli National Park, on the southern side of neighbouring Kenya, in sight of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.

In its shy distance, the sight of long-necked giraffes add perspective to images of Africa’s highland that shares its beauty between Tanzania and Kenya. Its sight of snow-scattered top, greening ridges against the blue sky is such a refreshing and therapeutic sight. To the elephants, and much of the wildlife, that is natural beauty and for minutes up to an hour, many tourists will consume the countryside attraction through binoculars and camera lenses.

For time spent on the railway and on the fairly rough terrain, Kilimanjaro is a stunning reward. There is no rush. Tour guides willingly share information about Kilimanjaro, adding to the body of knowledge shared in history and geography classes.

Serenity
Music lovers have mused to the great lyrics from artistes who have sang about the great mountain. Toto’s Africa is one of such songs. Driving on leads us to water bodies.

Like the Egyptians say, the sight of water calms the mind and soul. The waters have more to offer than the peaceful transcend of waves. The flamingos, and a number of other birds, are taking it slow.

Across the waters, and much in the soggy wetlands, elephants feed on the flora. It all seems like a family picnic as the younger elephants wait on the older folks to uproot the green feed and share it down, with them.

Wildlife
Family is a precious thing, even in animal world. The sight of buffaloes does not offer much beauty but all the same, a tick off the list of most similar wildlife seen in Kenya as is in the Pearl of Africa.

It is hard to have enough of nature, when we choose to retire, there is another kudos to give our hosts, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), for their cordial relationship with the private sector.

Our drivers doubled as guides and they were so knowledgeable about animals thanks to their rich experience of canvassing the wild over years.
The sights, sounds and experiences come apt with the chosen catch line of the destination- Magical Kenya!

Did you know?
Amboseli National Park, formerly Maasai Amboseli Game Reserve, is in Kajiado County, Kenya. The park ecosystem spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border. The local people are mainly Maasai, but people from other parts of the country have settled there.