Lake Bogoria.

BOGORIA LAKE IN THE HEART OF KENYA.

 

Lake Bogoria , located in the Rift Valley, is one of the best places in Africa where you can watch flamingos .
Sunsets are unmatched , and if this were not enough, its hot springs and geysers are an attraction for tourists looking for a nice addition to the great safaris.
By Sergi Reboredo (text and photos).

We had spent the night at the Inn Marigat , or what is the same, the most mediocre of all the region place , and breakfast , as expected , so austere and terse as the rooms themselves. Our friend Kimbuva knew the place and offered to accompany us in our efforts to teach our daughter Iris as flamingos lived was so excited to see him in his books.

The history dates back to 1885 Bogoria , when the Anglican Bishop James Hannington crossed these lands with the intention to establish a diocese in Uganda. Was the first to spot these moorland and for this reason the lake was called Hannington throughout the colonial era. But James did not have a happy ending and was killed near Lake Victoria at the hands of the cruel king of Buganda, Mwanga II.

Bogoria currently covers an area of ??about 30 square kilometers in the northern part of the Rift Valley, 25 kilometers south of Baringo , and its maximum depth is 9m . It is a soda lake and does not possess any drainage path by causing intense evaporation proliferates lot of seaweed green and blue , favorite food of flamingos .

According to park workers Lesser Flamingos population over a million and a half copies . They say that after the drought that affected the nearby Lake Nakuru in 1995 the majority of birds living there migrated to this lake , although today some have decided to settle in the Nakuru again.

The geysers , A MORE ATTRACTIVE .

Although flamingos and alone justify the visit, the sulfur springs give added value to the landscape. The heat given off by these hot springs and geysers is such that in a few minutes you can cook a hard boiled eggs. Everything is usable here in the Bogoria , even heat emanating geysers , which is used as if it were a sauna . According to Kimbuva own mouth , sauna half an hour is enough to make peace with God and make all your problems disappear .

The egg business is booming and even some Samburu takes the opportunity when their animals graze peacefully nearby lake to offer their services as egg cooker and letting do the typical picture of step with tourists , yes , on payment 50 shillings.

Despite not being a place included in the tourist circuit , the coming and going of these is constant. You can even see some busloads of school uniform dresses from the most remote areas of Kenya. This is mainly to bring the wonders of the country, usually reserved for foreigners, a school with limited resources.

The eastern side of the lake offers an equally evocative landscape dominated by deep green hills populated by dry bushes , grasslands and riparian forests that hosts a wealth of wildlife, including notably the wild kudu . Some buffalo also roam the area so it is necessary to obtain a special permit and hiring an experienced hiking to make if we get into the wooded area guide .

Leaving the lake, in the north is Kesubo Swamp , which is currently being developed as a tourist area thanks to the many different birds that nest here. It is believed that there are over two hundred species and also holds the record of birds sighted within an hour, nothing more and nothing less than 96 . Leveraging the thrust of tourism, have been trained a group of young people for a small fee visitors teach the qualities of each bird and how to discern which is which.

The evening falls and the sky ocher paints the lake . We watched the sunset, astounded , lonely , with nothing to say , close to heaven and earth at the same time . It is the finishing touch to an unforgettable day.

BOGORIA .
MORE INFORMATION
Kenyan Consulate in Spain . C / Alberto Alcocer 26 , 28036 Madrid 3rd H . Tel 91 458 51 71 .
Kenya Tourist Office in Spain . Paseo de Gracia 120 3 º 1 ª 08008 Barcelona Tel 93 415 83 87 .

RECOMMENDED GUIDE
Lonely Planet . " Kenya " You find it in English / French / Spanish .

AS IR
There are no direct flights from Spain . Major airlines , Air France, Swiss Air, SN Brussels , KLM , British Airways and Kenya Airways flights with a stopover in Paris , Frankfurt , Amsterdam and London respectively from 770 euros plus taxes.
Once in Nairobi most practical and economical is to take a share on Dubois Road to Nakuru taxi, which costs about four euros and takes about three hours . From there it's easy to find buses and shared taxis to Marigat , a quiet place near the lake with accommodation options for all budgets.
The lake has two inputs , of which the simplest is the Loboi door to the north . Log in Lake Bogoria National Reserve costs Ksh 2000 .

GEOGRAPHY
Bogoria is located in central Kenya, within the confines of the Rift Valley. It is a soda lake and covers an area of ??30 km ², with a maximum depth of 9m . There is no drainage path leading to high concentration of salts and minerals , which proliferates lot of blue-green algae, which are the main food of flamingos.

DOCUMENTATION
A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months along with a visa can be processed at the airport for 40 euros or $ 50 is required .

TELEPHONES :
Fixed telephony : from Nairobi or Mombasa will have no problem in calling abroad . Mobile Phones : Although it may seem otherwise , the cheapest way to communicate is to use your GSM mobile phone . Throughout the central region and in the cities , there is good coverage. Of course , this does not apply within the parks. Anyway , a safari is the perfect excuse to be untraceable and forget the mobile for a couple of weeks. Stamps can also be purchased at the souvenir shops and bookstores.

WEATHER
Rift Valley area enjoys a pleasant climate with an average temperature does not drop below 21 degrees throughout the year. It has two rainy seasons , from March to June and from October to late November, despite this the weather is usually quite hot and dry. The maximum rainfall is 200mm in April.

CURRENCY
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling ( Kenyan shilling ), which in turn are divided into 100 cents. There are notes of 20, 50 , 100, 500 and 1000 shillings and coins of 1, 5 , 10 and 20 cents , with a change of 72.74 shillings per dollar, ie , that for every euro they give us something less than 92 shillings. The best option is to arrive in Nairobi with dollars or euros , as travelers checks only a handful of places that accept them , adding to this a less favorable exchange rate . Some banks such as National Bank of Kenya, charge fees for what is usually more profitable change in the exchange houses . VISA credit card can be used in almost all hotels and shops.

VACCINATIONS AND HEALTH
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever for travelers over one year from infected areas are required . It is advisable to be vaccinated for yellow fever and hepatitis A, and go to the vaccination centers outside where we can personally advise on the best prophylaxis against malaria and mosquito repellents , which will be of great help. Do not drink water from the rivers , and it is necessary to peel the fruit .

WHAT TO BRING
Always light clothes , you can wash and dry very easily, sneakers , sandals , good sunglasses, and a hat. Do not forget that some times in the evening gives by rain, and a foldable raincoat can get us out of trouble .

SHOP - MEMORIES
To buy local crafts one of the best places is Nakuru. Being a larger city that Marigat can find many more things and more competitive prices in Nairobi or Mombasa. Shops abound fabrics and batiks, but you can also find wood carvings and soapstone

 

DESTINOS

EL MARA, UN SAFARI DE ENSUEÑO.

La Reserva Nacional de Masai Mara, o El Mara (comúnmente abreviado) es el mayor parque de Kenia y cautiva a sus visitantes por sus evocadoras llanuras donde abunda la fauna salvaje. Ningún viaje a Kenia estaría completo sin realizar antes un safari en este lugar.
Por Sergi Reboredo (texto y fotos).

Este típico paisaje africano, con sus colinas tapizadas por praderas, y evocador de películas como "Memorias de África" o "Mogambo" es Kenia, un país de contrastes, donde el viajero se encuentra transportado a otra época pasada.

Los espacios naturales de Kenia están clasificados entre los mejores del África por el gran número de aves y mamíferos que habitan en su interior, por lo que numerosos turistas comparten la ascensión al Kilimanjaro en Tanzania con un safari en tierras kenianas.

Éste ha sido uno de los peores años en cuanto a turismo se refiere. Las amenazas de atentados en este país, que no son mayores de las que pueda tener más de una capital europea, unido a que algunas compañías aéreas hayan decidido anular como destino el aeropuerto de Mombasa por falta de seguridad, han originado un duro golpe en el sector. Pero las reservas de animales son completamente seguras, y el único peligro al que estamos expuestos, que constituye el ser devorados por un felino, se evita simplemente haciendo caso al guía y no saliendo del jeep durante todo el safari.

El parque de los parques.

Inaugurado en 1961, está situado al oeste del Rift Valley y es la continuación natural de las llanuras del Serengeti, en Tanzania.
Las serpenteantes y oscuras aguas del río Mara atraviesan esta reserva de norte a sur para proseguir su camino hacia el oeste hasta el lago Victoria, ya en tierras tanzanas.

Los animales son completamente libres e ignoran por completo las fronteras dibujadas sobre papel, ya sean las políticas como las propias del área protegida, por lo que no es nada extraño encontrar cebras, monos y gacelas 50 kilómetros antes de llegar al parque pastando cerca de la carretera.

La espectacular fauna del parque.

Uno de los atractivos del Mara es sin duda alguna la espectacular migración de más de un millón de ñus y doscientas mil cebras, que cada año, durante los meses de Julio y Agosto se desplazan en busca de mejores pastos desde el Serengueti para volver a Tanzania hacia Octubre.

En este parque la fauna salvaje está asegurada. El león se encuentra en grandes manadas y tampoco resulta complicado encontrar guepardos y leopardos. Abundan los elefantes, búfalos, cebras, jirafas, babuinos, hipopótamos, antílopes, gacelas, impalas, topis y ñus. Resulta más complicado el poder observar a los rinocerontes, ya que únicamente hay 37 ejemplares en toda la reserva.

Safaris para todos los bolsillos.

En Nairobi y Mombasa muchos comerciantes a comisión buscan desesperadamente wazungu (blancos) a los que venderles safaris. Es muy recomendable visitar varias compañías antes de escoger el tipo de safari deseado ya que, aparte del precio, puede influir la calidad del servicio. Algunas no organizan safaris sino que son meras agentes de terceras, otras como "Come to África" reducen costes mediante vehículos destartalados, y otras como "Savuka Tours" derivan los clientes a peores compañías en caso de no llenar el vehículo.

Los safaris, que en swahili significa viaje, son de dos tipos en cuanto a alojamiento, en camping o de tipo lodges o tiendas de lujo con comodidades comparables a hoteles de alto standing.

Los safaris organizados en vehículos suelen efectuarse en minibuses o furgonetas de entre seis y ocho plazas con el techo semi-descubierto. Si el dinero no es problema podemos realizar románticos safaris en camello, en globo, en avioneta, en moto o alquilar nuestro propio vehículo.

Reserva Nacional de Masai Mara.
Geografía
La Reserva Nacional de Masai Mara está situada al sureste de Kenia y cuenta con una extensión de 1510 km2. Al otro lado de la frontera con Tanzania se encuentra el Parque Nacional del Serengueti, que es una prolongación del mismo Parque.

Cómo llegar
El aeropuerto internacional de Jomo Kenyatta está situado a 15 km al sureste de Nairobi y la mayoría de compañías aéreas europeas disponen de vuelos hacia este destino. El aeródromo de Mara está situado dentro del mismo Parque Nacional Masai Mara y la compañía Air Kenya ofrece dos vuelos diarios desde Nairobi a las 10:00h y a las 15:00h. Otras formas de llegar al Parque son en vehículo propio o alquilado y en las mismas furgonetas que se utilizan para los safaris si lo hemos contratado desde Nairobi o Mombasa.

Pequeños consejos
Papeleo
Para entrar a Kenia se necesita un pasaporte en regla con una validez de seis meses.
Sanidad
Las condiciones sanitarias difieren en gran medida a las que estamos acostumbrados y para prevenir riesgos el viajero debe extremar las precauciones con la alimentación.
Es aconsejable estar vacunado contra el tétanos, la fiebre amarilla, la poliomielitis así como la hepatitis A y B y realizar un tratamiento profiláctico contra la malaria.
Clima
El Parque Nacional de Masai Mara dispone de un clima suave y mucho más húmedo que en otras zonas del resto del país debido a su altitud, por encima de los 1500 metros, y a su ubicación. La época de lluvias suele ser de Noviembre hasta Junio y las tormentas nocturnas son algo bastante frecuente.
Moneda
La moneda oficial es el chelín keniano (chelines), que se divide en 100 centavos. Existen billetes de 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 y 20, así como monedas de 20,10,5 y 1. Un euro equivale a unos 83 chelines. Existe la posibilidad de cambiar dinero en hoteles, bancos y casas de cambio. También se pueden pagar en los hoteles o sacar dinero con las tarjetas de crédito Visa y Mastercard.

Ropa
Es aconsejable llevar prendas de lino y algodón, calzado cómodo y transpirable para los safaris y vestir algo más formal si se piensa salir por las noches. Imprescindible un buen repelente de mosquitos, ropas de colores claros y un gorro para el sol.

Buenas compras y artesanía
Kenia es un lugar inmejorable para comprar recuerdos. Podemos encontrar telas, batiks, kangas, tallas de ébano elaboradas a mano, cestos de sisal, figuras de esteatita, coloridas joyas masais e incluso pulseras de pelo de elefante, que en realidad están fabricadas de plástico o de hiervas embetunadas.
Los precios pueden variar enormemente de una tienda a otra por lo que se recomienda no comprar en el primer lugar e intentar regatear.

Por Sergi Reboredo (Texto y fotos)

KENYA IN YOUR POCKET

Date of publication: November 2013
Language: Castilian
Price: € 9,95

 

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Kenya Kids
kenya kids: safaris also for the kids

 

 

Masai Mara, animal freedom

To reach the vast plains of Loita , in the lobby of the Masai tribe home , poor Africa is no more than a beautiful literary device in which hard to believe .

The land moistened by rain permeated with its smell , the whole atmosphere. The Sun, in the distance, like a ball of fire, throwing its last rays timid and threatened to hide behind the horizon . As if to witness the rainbow made ??his brief appearance and even animals dared disturb the silence of the bush. It was a sunset in Masai Mara , Kenya 's great book , but it seemed the height of the world's creation .

The traveler has heard from him by the prose of Karen Blixen , Ryszard Kapuscinski and Javier Reverte, whites never be the same again after going through this forgotten corner of the world. But here , while the vastness of the clear horizon can fulfill the old childhood dream to check with your own eyes that the Earth is round effect , when one realizes that he is in a unique place you want to return while alive and never forget . Nothing but artificial painted in Europe in colonial borders, distinguishes the reserve Masai Mara Serengeti ecosystem neighbor . Nowhere else in the world many mammals living in the wild as in this .

the reserve

Poor progress on the reservation , herds of herbivores begin to appear on the prairies. On one side of the dirt track , dozens of wildebeests accompanied by a handful of antelope and zebra , crossing the road , undaunted , a group of elephants with their young adults are the kings of the savanna , in the distance, silhouetted against the horizon , a family of masai giraffes flirty ... While predators are more visible at dawn and dusk and remain on keeping forces ; sheltered in scrubland or uploaded on the tops of the acacia -dwelling leopards, spotted hyenas prowl around large herds of wildebeest, and to see the king of the jungle to look for in the best areas , as families of lions living along streams in minimally leafy areas.

Just dawned and it's time for dessert. The males , the first to eat and the last to intervene in any brawl , make digestion while a flock of vultures spread leftovers . Embezzlement lasts until the lioness , who knows what it takes to bring home the bacon , and scares off scavengers to claw in the blink of an eye comes. The safari continues along the banks of the Mara River , and this is the place where you can see one of the greatest shows on Earth : the passage of the Great Migration . With over 25,000 square kilometers , the Serengeti- Mara ecosystem maintains its precise biological balance thanks to this natural phenomenon , whereby half million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras and gazelles half a million Thompson- accompanied , of course , a ceaseless procession of predators and scavengers , walking 3,000 miles each year in search of pasture . The journey , circular, born in nearby Ngorongoro Crater - Tanzania - where between January and March delivery occurs 400,000 wildebeest calves , and ends in the same place after crossing the Serengeti plains , crossing the Mara , destroy Maasai pastures and back again to the south. In late November , the great migration is over and hoping to see a herd of wildebeest crossing the water is small. But worth it to get here if only to see the remains of the battle. Crocodiles , primed for the rest of the year , have their bellies swollen sun and do not flinch because a colony of marabouts has been made to sift through the huge cemetery that has become the chocolateadas waters of Mara . In another bend in the river , as large buses parked doze a group of hippos and their only concern is diving into the water every few minutes to cool off ...

The city and the Maasai

But this exhibition of wildlife is not, although it is amazing, the greatest treasure that stays on the heart of the traveler. When leaving, when , back to Nairobi, back asphalt and begin to see the first gas stations, the first houses of corrugated iron , the projector 's memory starts passing the unrepeatable human faces that stay in this remote savannah and the jeep becomes an unexpected funeral so it leaves behind. Most admirable of Maasai land are its people. In another time feared warriors, the Maasai maintain ancestral traditions and continue to put their lives pastoralist livestock available . The cow is the central element on which turns the Masai universe. Get her milk and blood with which they feed. With its horns and skins made ??necessary utensils for a nomadic life. With cattle manure build their houses . The cow is in addition to ongoing current coin to buy a wife. So, as if unconsciously visitor would be for soothing mild house pain of evil in Africa, the suitcase back full of useless trinkets , souvenirs of the Maasai , which in the considered first world gain a huge sentimental value.

The nostalgia of that land and its hospitable people is so intense around until you spot the red earth shoes trouble detaching once has left that place of towering beasts and perennial smiles.

Mara Sopa Lodge. Situated on the hillsides of Oloongams, is one of the first lodges built in Masai Mara. Built following the Maasai rituals, is a real treat for the senses.

Mara Serena Lodge. Spectacular views of the savannah from its location on the hill of a hill. Of the most luxurious of all Masai Mara.