Friday, March 18, 2011

My Safari in Nakuru Park Comes to a Close

It has been fun showing you around the national park located in Nakuru, Kenya. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. It has been great reliving the memories of my safari there.  Today will be my last post on the trip to this wonderful park. If you've missed out on the rest of the safari, please be sure to check out the links at the bottom of this post.


In the late 1970s and 1980s poachers decimated Kenya's rhinos, of which there are only two species in the country, white and black rhinos. Before the rampant poaching Kenya had an estimated 20,000 black rhinos in 1973. Today, black rhinos number only 610, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service.  The David Sheldrick Trust was instrumental for the conservation projects related to preservation of the rhino in Kenya. You can read  much more about their wonderful efforts here.  The link will take you to the efforts to save the black rhino.

White rhinos are even more endangered in Kenya with only 240 in the country.  The Nakuru Park is home to a rhino conservation project and I consider myself very fortunate to have seen a group of white rhinos as we were driving around in the park.

The white rhino's name comes from the Dutch word "weit," meaning wide, which refers to its wide, square muzzle, adapted for grazing. The white rhino, whose real color is gray, has a pronounced hump on the neck and a long face.

These photos are of the extremely rare white rhino.


 






I feel very blessed to have seen the rhino up close as I did. As we sat in the vehicle and watched them graze, I felt an sense of awesome wonder.

It is sad that just just after my visit to Kenya a group of poachers was arrested for killing a southern white rhino for its horns.  The horns sell for more per weight than gold and are used in Asia to make medicines, and in the Middle East to make dagger handles.  The Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) is doing a great job to try and project the country's wildlife but they face huge challenges.  If you are ever in Kenya, please take time to learn about the KWS and ways you can help them or you can read here and see that there are different ways to support their work, including wildlife conservation.

As we move on in the park, I see many other types of antelope, both in the wooded areas and on the Savannah. I just love to watch them.





I also love to see the many birds feasting in the lake.


They provide many photo opportunities too for the tourists.



As I was going through my photographs I came across this water bird who I forgot to feature when I did my post on the flamingos and pelicans. I'm not sure what kind of a bird this is but it is obviously some kind of water bird with it's long legs.  Perhaps one of my African readers can identify it for us.



Now I must say that for me it is always a highlight to see the majestic lions of Kenya. These truly are magnificent creatures and unfortunately they are a dying breed in Kenya.

My driver was not so sure I would see a lion before I left the park but I had a sense of certainty about it.  Just as we were leaving the park, we came across this female lion. It was a little difficult to get a good photo but I did the best I could.  She was just going to find a resting perch on a fallen tree.



Here she is making her way to the end of the tree when we spotted here.

Ah, there she is now resting on her perch.

I thought it fitting that my last shot of the wild animals in this park was one of a lioness taking a rest. We make the journey back to the main part of the city, passing by the park sign and other photographers. I hope to pass this way again some time.





Click here to read Part 1 in this series. It starts with my stopover in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 2 in this series in Kenya. It continues with my sojourn in Nairobi, Kenya.
Click here to read Part 3 in this series on Kenya where I stop to view a stunning lookout.
Click here to read Part 4 in this series on Kenya where I stop at Lake Elementeita.
Click here to read Part 5 in this series on Kenya where I talk about some hotels in Nakuru.
Click here to read Part 6 in this series on Kenya where I show you some tourist sites around Nakuru.
Click here to read Part 7 in this series on Kenya where I show you the Castle Without a Princess.
Click here to read Part 8 in this series on Kenya where I feature a collection of scenes from around Nakuru. 
Click here to read Part 9 in this series where we enter the park and begin to tour it. 
Click here to read Part 10 about the flamingos and water buffalo. 
Click here to read Part 11 about  the Baboons of Nakuru Park.



Scenic Sunday
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22 comments:

Diane said...

What wonderful photos. I think the bird with the white ring on its head looks like a crowned plover. I am lucky to have seen white rhino in Zimbabwe but the poachers are sadly at work there as well!! Diane

Joyful said...

Thank you, Diane for your kind words. I believe you are right about the bird. I looked it up on google by name and it looks exactly like ;-) It's so sad about poachers but thankfully there are now efforts in place in Kenya to try and protect the wildlife. Due to problems in Zimbabwe, I think the situation might be much worse for wildlife. But thankfully there is at least one group (perhaps more) trying to do something about it. See here http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/index.html

B i r g i t t a said...

Great photos!

KT said...

Incredible!

Joyful said...

Thank you Birgitta. Have a great weekend.

Joyful said...

KT, thank you so much for your visit and your nice comment!

clairz said...

What amazing animals. I plan to take some time and read the rest of your posts about this safari. I've said it before, but I am so glad to have found your blog.

Joyful said...

clairz, your comments bring a smile of joy to me today. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad to have found your blog too!

Sara Chapman said...

Thank you for sharing your amazing experience. You have done some good in the world by sharing these photos.

Joyful said...

Sara, thank you for the encouraging word ;-) I do hope animal lovers everywhere will look into conservation issues in Kenya.

Jo said...

Hi Penny, what a great post. Thanks for the safari through the park! I hope we see white rhinos when we visit Nakuru. And WOW to the lion. Brilliant photos. I certainly also hope you pass this way again and that we can meet. I'm going to stick my neck out and say the bird is a Crowned Plover (now called Crowned Lapwing)I will send my s.i.l. in South Africa your blog link and ask her for an ID. Have a great day my friend, Blessings. Jo

Joyful said...

Hi Jo, thanks for dropping by. I'm so glad you liked the photos and I'm sure you'll take many great ones when you get to the park. I sure do hope to pass that way again ;-) As for the bird, I think you have it right. Diane also thought it was the same bird but I will wait to hear more via your s.i.l. Have a great weekend!

Kilauea Poetry said...

I enjoyed these images..so beautiful! Frankly I'm disgusted with man! Poaching..greed and for what? It's a good thing when they prosecute these criminals.
Love (especially the first) photo in the pretty grass of the antelopes..but all of these are fantastic! Another great tour Penny~

Joyful said...

KP, I'm glad you've enjoyed the Kenyan safari thus far. It is very sad to see and hear what has happened to the poor creatures that were entrusted to the world's human race. We have done a poor job of protecting them and letting them thrive. I hope and pray there will be more people that join to save these animals from extinction.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Ok..I didn't realize the birds..a ways off but very pretty!! I scrolled again and still can't get over the antelopes in the grass with the trees behind! The rhino's are massive beasts..just fabulous! I like the bird in the road with them too..looks kind of blue and big..wonder what kind? Not sure about the other one. Love the lions..when I look at my cats I always think of them as miniature versions- because of the body language! Life here makes me sad..we have failed them..and it reminds me of the scripture in Ro 8:28 all creation growns.
wishing you an enjoyable weekend~

Joyful said...

Oh LOL, I didn't mean the flamingos at this post. I will send you the link. Have a great weekend too my friend. xx

Joyful said...

KP, I actually have many photos. If you like I can send you a link to your email but you need to send me your email. See my profile for my addy. :-)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Fantastic pictures. Rhino photos are Great!

Joyful said...

Oh LOL, I didn't mean the flamingos at this post. I will send you the link. Have a great weekend too my friend. xx

Joyful said...

Hi Penny, what a great post. Thanks for the safari through the park! I hope we see white rhinos when we visit Nakuru. And WOW to the lion. Brilliant photos. I certainly also hope you pass this way again and that we can meet. I'm going to stick my neck out and say the bird is a Crowned Plover (now called Crowned Lapwing)I will send my s.i.l. in South Africa your blog link and ask her for an ID. Have a great day my friend, Blessings. Jo

Joyful said...

KT, thank you so much for your visit and your nice comment!

Joyful said...

What wonderful photos. I think the bird with the white ring on its head looks like a crowned plover. I am lucky to have seen white rhino in Zimbabwe but the poachers are sadly at work there as well!! Diane

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