Kenya - The Great Rift Valley

From Aberdare National Park we descended into the Great Rift Valley and explored two important birding lakes - Nakuru and Baringo. Lake Nakuru is a National Park with a large saline lake and acacia savannah surrounding it. The birding and mammal viewing were exceptional as we drove a circuit around the lake. 

eBird list for Lake Nakuru

The water level in Nakuru has risen dramatically in recent years, without a clearly understood reason. It was interesting to see the old park entrance gate under water. 

Olive Baboon

Rothschild Giraffe

Scarket-chested Sunbird

Warthogs

Yellow-billed Stork

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Crowned Crane

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Grey Heron

Guereza Colubus Monkey

Long-crested Eagle

Marico Sunbird

From Nakura we traveled north to the the fresh water Lake Baringo. This is our guide Joe's home town and as expected he knew it well. Here too the water level has been rising. We went out for a few hours in the morning on a boat followed by land birding the surrounding acacia woodlands and volcanic cliffs. Much fun had by all. 

eBird list for Baringo

Sunrise on the lake

Guide Joe

African Fish-Eagle

Beautiful Sunbird (it is beautiful, and that's its name)

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Local fisherman on a home-made boat, with his attendant Hammerkop looking for a hand-out

Goliath Heron

Greyish Eagle-Owl

Hammerkop

Intermediate Egret

Jackson's Hornbill

Malachite Kingfisher

Monitor Lizard

Pied Kingfisher (one of HUNDREDS around the lake!)

Senegal Thick-knees

Speckled Pigeon

White-crested Helmet-Shrike

 I know this is short, but time is so limited. Next up, the rain forest and more!