Glimpse of Kenya Part 3 : Lake Nakuru and Game Park

Pelicans playing in Lake Nakuru 

If one wants to go bird sighting then the best time is early morning just before sunrise or in the evening. Since it would take almost 6hrs (break of 30 minutes included), with our van loaded with packed lunch of sandwiches, fruits and water we left Masai village almost by 9am. for Nakuru County to visit Game Park and Lake Nakuru (one of saline lake, Salt water lake also called soda lake is situated in the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa). Wild life sanctuary of Kenya works with Amerula to protect the wild life. 

Nakuru is almost 250 km from Masaimara national park and we had to travel through some valley, flat and hilly terrain to reach the height of almost 5 500 ft above sea level. Sometimes one one feels like being not disturbed, immersing in the beauty of nature.

Dense forests, beautiful roads with pineapple farms on both sides in different stage of flowering and fruiting. The soil color was also changing along with the terrain black to red. The sky was so blue with scattered white clouds floating like cotton balls.

Country side Vista 

We requested few times to stop so that we can enjoy the serene surroundings and fill our lungs with fresh air. We stopped near a local roadside shop selling fresh pineapple juice anf farm fresh pineapple. After having packed lunch we enjoyed fresh sweet juice of pineapple and गीत slices of pineapple packed for the road. Daniel said now straight to Nakuru, no more stops we are getting delayed. You want to enjoy Nakuru lake and Game park there isn't? 

Our earlier stop over had resulted in delay and in few hrs it would be sunset and Lake and Game Park area to be closed to visitors, we changed our plan of going to hotel and freshening up. By 4pm we reached the Game Park and straight to Nakuru Lake. 

View from distant point before entering the Park. 

OMG was the sound made in unison by all of us. From far away itself we could spot Red Flanimgoes, Herons and yes yes some thing huge walking in group. It was herd of White Rhinos. What a great luck. But Daniel was in no hurry. He was driving at almost 10 km /hr speed,because he wanted us to look around and see if we can spot something exciting and unusual.

Just before the van was to take final turn we heard growl of lion, it hit us like thunder. We could hear but not see, where is the big cat? Oh! look on the tree way up there and we all were left with gaping mouth to see such dark color mane lion on the tree. 

Till then we knew that Lions do not climb the tree, so how come this lion is on the tree? Our learned driver Daniel told this is the only African lion which climbs the tree. Keep windows closed it jumps ferociously if feels threatened. So we took photos from the little slit of windows but stopped to enjoy the sight.

Say it again Lions can't climb the tree 

Alightining from the van besides the lake we first let the  eyes rove around to check how many variety of birds are there.

We are Avian family 

Let me strech my wings 

Why is it dark so early? 

The whole area was vibrating with the sound of different birds calling each other, flapping their wings in water or flying from one end to other. 

We live in harmony 

Enjoying the drizzle 

You eat, I am keeping your back 

This was the best time to visit the lake since evening and is the time for last meal for wild life and then they go to their habitat.

We love Nakuru Lake 

We enjoy cloudy weather 

Red Flamingos feeding on fish and Algae 

Countless Red Flamingos 

Weather was playing traunts. All of a sudden dark clouds would appear threatening to pour water on us. 

Even in less light we would click few pics and wait patiently and enjoy bird watching, Rhino family. 

I am not lonely, I am just enjoying my worm 

Do not disturb, I am meditating 

Red Flamingos, Cormorant, Shags, Goliath Heron (Gaint Heron), Pelicans, Gerebs, white winged black Terns, Ducks, and many other species of birds were busy doing what they want in the pristine surrounding of Lake bordered by hillocks.

Looking for fish to feed her babies 

We love foraging in cloudy weather 

For few minutes none of us took our cameras out of the bag. Once started there was no stopping.

 Legs get dirty? I will clean after meal 

Oh good I spot a fat fish 

I wanted to click the white Rhino from less diatance because the baby Rhino was being taught by mother how to graze green grass while keeping a sharp eye on tourists. So I had to be satisfied by zooming the lens and taking these pictures. 

We have reserved this land for our picmic

Enjoying picnic in cloudy weather 

White Rhino Family 

We both are friends isn't it? 

Just Beautiful 

Some thing out of the world we saw, while flamingos and other birds were foraging in center of the lake, Pelicans started gathering by the side of water in an orderly line. Then the leader made a unique sound and all stopped flapping ans squeaking. Pin drop silence, not a single living being was making slightest of sound. Then all of a sudden there was a loud splashing sound, the leader along with the group dipped their beak in water and each one had a fish in thei beak. After gulping the fish the same process was repeated three more times and then all flew off in unison. 

Let's hurry for evening meal 

Pelicans gathering for evening meal 

Shh! Our leader is saying Grace before meal 

Private Island of a group of Pelicans 

No photo, no vedio can express in toto what we saw and felt. Now the sun was on the way down the horizon, wind was getting colder, birds were flying off to their nests /habitat, only creatures left were Rhino family which was least bothered by birds or sun getting golden to red.

We proceeded to parks inner area to Baboon point to get vintage view of lake. And oh ho my my we were for another treat. It was a Baboon sitting with its prey (baby antler) and enjoying it with relish. 

I am Omnivorous 

Two baboons removing lice and some baby baboons playing catch me, swing me on the tree branches.

I eat your lice, you eat my lice 

Lights in city indicated time to leave Baboon Point

The last rays of sun had disappeared and it was time to leave the Game Park. Unwillingly we had to say bye bye to such a wonderful gift of nature. Dinner done we all hit the bed by 10pm as next day we were told is long road journey part of it through forest area and we will be staying in "Ark Forest Resort" in Aberdare National Park in Nyandru County. 

Reception area of Ark Forest Resort