The Red-Billed Oxpecker’s scientific name is Buphagus erythrorynchus. Bu means Ox, phagus means eat, erythro means red and rhynchus means nose. They are insect eaters rather than Ox eaters. Here’s one in its natural habitat, surrounded by dinner. The Swahili name of the Red-Billed Oxpecker is Askari wa kifaru which means The Rhino’s Guard. …
I’ve seen Sacred Ibis before. They’re beautiful and fascinating. This one has something I’ve never seen before, though. As it flies in …
This Lioness has clearly caught something cute, furry and with floppy ears. It’s already had a good chew at it. The male …
There’s an all-black Swallow-type bird next to our route, as we drive along the dusty compressed-earth tracks of the Masai Mara. This …
It’s the tiny head which first strikes me; and then the bare face with the orange skin. It’s an African Harrier-Hawk and …
My guide, Johnson, here at Governors’ Camp in the Masai Mara, has been brilliant. He’s responded to my every wish, respected that …
As we head back to camp, I can see birds bathing in the pools of water left by the ruts of the …
I love how playful and how brown and fluffy the young Zebras are here in the Masai Mara. They’re still careful not …
Isn’t this big male Lion’s mane fabulous? Lionesses prefer male Lions which have a dark bushy main. It’s a sign of fitness, …
Gladys is driving us towards a pair of Cheetahs. “Oh yes! There”. We’re an excited group of four. A pair have been …
Those cunning tricksters, the Black-Backed Jackals are back. Their ears are so pointy, and so are their noses. What a beautiful look …
This is my first view of a Pied Kingfisher. They are massive compared with the Common Kingfishers we see in the UK. …
There’s a fast antelope called a Topi here. They often like to stand on hillocks, looking like sentinels. The only previous photographs …
No sweat. That’s the problem with being a bird. Humans have sweat gland which act to produce water which cools the body …
Here at Mara Ngenche Safari Camp the luxury is embarrassing. A beautiful two-room tent with outside shower and private plunge pool, fabulous …
I’ve already had the experience of a male Lion getting uncomfortably close to me on this safari. This time it’s a Lioness …
In the distance, through the heat-haze, from a moving vehicle, wearing dirty glasses, the first thing I think is that those large …
Masai Giraffes are tall. There are four species of Giraffe and this one is native to the Masai Mara. I love the …
It’s my first view of Spotted Hyenas. What strange animals. They have such short back legs and long front legs. I’m sure …
There’s a Lion in the Masai Mara and we’re on safari to see it. Four of us are in an open-sided vehicle …
There’s a corpse in the long grass. We think it’s the remains of a Buffalo. That means Hooded Vultures, Necrosyrtes monachus, are …
There is a small family group of Elephants in the distance. Seeing them in the landscape is something new for me. I’ve …
We’re out on a safari drive in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Our guide and driver, Gladys, is an expert at spotting …
Animals with hooves are either odd-toed or even-toed. The odd-toed ones are horses, rhinos and tapirs. The even-toed ones are cattle, antelope, pigs, giraffes, camels, sheep, deer, and hippos. …
Here at Mara Ngenche Safari Camp, in the Masai Mara in Kenya, the luxury is slightly overwhelming. When I booked on a …
We’re in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. I think it’s an indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser. Gladys is our local Kenyan guide for four of …
The twelve of us who have been volunteering in Kenya for Kenya Connect for the past eight days have been whittled down …
It’s been a hectic week volunteering on a literacy programme in Kenya for Kenya Connect. I’ve had little time to process all …
Muthoki Country Lodge has been our home in Wamunyu for the week, with luxurious tents and fabulous food. We have four-poster beds …
We’re out in Kenya Connect‘s Institution Bus on a road trip for the Reading Road Rally. It’s part of my volunteering in …