Wondrous nature: Some animals & birds of North Rift.
Experience the Wondrous Magic of our Wildlife
All Animals
Small Animals
Big Five
Impala & Flamingos ...
at L Bogoria. The habitat of Impala (Aepyceros melampus) is open savannah, occasionally grasslands if bush cover is available; can sometimes occupy semi-arid areas if near to water Only male has horns. Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor) in background.
Monitor Lizard
Veranus niloticus. A carnivore and scavenger found in almost all areas and habitats of Africa, except desert. Prefers proximity to rivers and lakes and is an excellent swimmer. They can live up to 20 years and grow to 20 kg.
Rock Hyrax
Procavia capensis. Small Diurnal herbivores that never move far from their rocky home. They are widespread; from semi-arid outcrops to forested scarps and high montane moorlands. Their closest living relatives in the animal kingdom are elephants.
Chamaeleon
Chamaeleon gracilis
Ratel and Honey Guide
Found in semi-arid (esp. Acacia) bushland. The Ratel (Mellivora rapensis) follows the Honeyguide bird (Indicator sp.) to a beehive and breaks it open. The Ratel feasts and the bird gets its share of the pieces that drop to the ground. A classic example of “mutualism”.
Kirk's Dikdik
Madoqua kirki. The small size (just over 3 ft at the shoulder), elongated ‘swollen’ snout, and large, white-ringed eyes are characteristic. Adult males have very short, sharp-pointed horns. Inhabit a wide range of semi-arid bush with dense undergrowth.
Tockus jacksoni. At a distance, the male could be confused with Red-billed Hornbill (male and female); but Jackson’s male has distinct yellow in the beak.
Double-toothed Barbet
Lybius bidentatus aequatorialis. Restricted to forests in western Kenya but below 2300m.
Cliff Chat
Thamnolaea cinnamomei ventris subrufipennis. Always on or near cliffs or rocky places. Where the male is black, the female is grey and lacks the white shoulder patch.
Ross's Turaco
Musophaga rossae. They like woodland with open glades so their spectacular plumage can be seen. They favour locations near water and always nest in a densely-foliaged tree (such as a Podo).
Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath Unmistakable because of large size. Likes larger lakes and cannot be missed at Lake Baringo.
Great Egret
Casmerodius albus melanorhynchos. Common in wetlands; even small. Black line extends back from bill to behind the eye. Normally yellowish bill becomes black when male is breeding.