Blogs

  • Val Jiwa

    Museum Entry fees And Game Parks Entrance Charges in Kenya

  • Mysterious significance of crocodile
    Val Jiwa

    Crocodile is one of the ancient of animals that have survived more than millions of years. It played an essential part in the earliest spiritual lives of native peoples in many countries. In Christian antiquity and according to the Bible, it is a monster of chaos and the devil. Hence, early Christians during the Middle Ages chained stuffed crocodiles on church walls representing chained devil. Thousands of years ago, armors for warriors were designed using crocodile skins. When soldiers wore these armors, they took on the spirit of toughness and trusted their primal instincts making them go deeper for answers.

  • Maasai Mara
    Val Jiwa

    Top Places To Visit During Your African Safari Holidays And Tours are Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta, Kenya Safaris, Maasai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Etosha National Park, and Hwange National Park. The continent is home to some of the world’s top safari destinations.

  • Many Kenyan stories and tales are told of zebras to explain their unique behavior or looks
    Val Jiwa

    Many Kenyan tales are told of zebrasto explain their unique behavior or looks. Some of the well-known ones are the fascinating stories of how they got their stripes. There are several variations of it. They are all Kenya legends originated from the Bushmen. One of them overlaps with how baboons developed a colorful bottom. The second one with how turtles got their hard shells. And the third one is an amusing story of how a naughty young zebrapainted itself black. So, how did the zebra get its black and white stripes, or is it black stripes on a white coat?

  • Zebra has a deep meaning in shamanism, African tribal traditions, psychological sciences and many other ancient religions
    Val Jiwa

    Zebra is a majestic wild animal. Most of its symbolism comes from Africa. Zebra has a deep meaning in shamanism, African tribal traditions, psychological sciences and many other religions. Even today it is used to denote the symbolic meaning of it. So, for what does it stand? A zebra animal symbol represents community, freedom, balance, and individualism. Why does it stand for them? For that, it is rather important to delve into a more meaningful discussion about why zebra stands for these characteristics. Otherwise, it would amount to nothing more than superstitions and myths made up by our ignorant ancestors.

  • ebra crossing is a phenomenon that we come across almost daily
    Val Jiwa

    Zebra crossing goes back several decades. It was born on the 31st of October, 1951 in Slough, Berkshire in England. The increase in traffic on British roads meant that fatalities from accidents were high. One of the reasons for the high road incidents was that the pedestrians were not familiar with cars. The other reason was that in those days, street crossings had metal studs that were easy to spot for the pedestrians but not so much for the motorists. The accidents warranted a need for safer ways to cross the roads. Hence, a more visible pedestrian crossing was needed.

  • Grevy’s Zebra is the world’s rarest zebra and the most beautiful of them all
    Val Jiwa

    30th and 31st January 2016 saw the carrying out of a herculean initiative. For the first time Kenya undertook a citizen science-based census of Grevy’s zebras, a beautiful and endangered species found nowhere else in the world. The Great Grevy’s Rally was its name. The Laikipia Wildlife Forum and the Grevy’s Zebra Trust spearheaded it. The main collaborators were Lewa, The Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangelands Trust and community conservancies, Marwell Wildlife, county governments of Laikipia, Princeton University, and the Isiolo, Marsabit, and Meru counties. On the 3rd September 2016 at the Great Grevy’s Ball in Nanyuki the results were

  • Zebra
    Val Jiwa

    Mountain zebra is a haunting icon of Africa. It is the most social species of all the zebras and are grazers like other zebras. They are mainly active early in the morning and late afternoon. They visit mineral licks, especially during the summer. But unlike other zebras they have a distinct feature. It is the presence of dewlap on the throat or a square flap of skin. Their pointed ears reach 8 inches in length and their manes of short hair stand upright from their necks. Mountain zebras take part in mutual grooming and usually take a dust bath daily.

  • Plains zebra also called the Common zebra, is the most geographically widespread equine on earth
    Val Jiwa

    Plains zebra are not a threatened or endangered species. Red List classifies it as a species of Least Concern, or Near Threatened with the most stable population. They are widespread. Their numbers probably exceed 750,000. There are an estimated 150,000 Plains zebras on the Serengeti-Mara Plains alone. But there are far fewer of them today than there once were. Tanzania has seen a 20% decline of Plains zebra in a decade. Measures are necessary to guard against the possibility of further reductions. Plains zebras are susceptible to hunting for their meat and hides as well as habitat loss from farming.

  • The largest of the three zebras is the Grevy’s zebra species
    Val Jiwa

    People often wonder how Grevy’s zebra got its name. In 1882, the then Emperor of Abyssinia considered it so regal that he presented one to the President of France whose name was Jules Grevy. That led to the coining of the word Grevy’s zebra. There are several theories as to the function of their streaks. According to a school of thought, its equine ancestor was striped, but they lost it during the evolution of horses and asses. Charles Darwin opined that stripes are used as a camouflage to keep them safe from predators. But that theory has recently been refuted.

  • Grevy's zebra in Laikipia
    Val Jiwa

    The skin of Grevy’s zebra fetched a high price. Hence they used to be killed for their skins. Today Grevy’s zebra belongs to the endangered species. Therefore their long-term survival is moot. The wildlife authorities have taken the matter into their hands. They have taken some serious conservation initiatives. These actions have improved the status of Grevy’s zebras. However, there still face challenges. Laikipia and Borana are the names of two game parks in Kenya. They are home to the largest Grevy’s zebras. So let us take a visit to these parks and see how the Grevy’s zebras are faring.

  • Peculiar dynamics of populations of zebra
    Val Jiwa

    Zebras are close relatives to horses and donkeys. The only difference is that it is difficult to domesticate zebras due to their wild nature. Zebras have been able to breed with other species of equine such as a horse or a donkey. The hybrid foals thus produced are known as a zorse or a zonkey. Zebra hybridization has been in existence for a century. The author of the 1899 Penycuik Experiments, Ewart, was one of the pioneers in this field. Several such hybrids now exist around the world. Zonkeys and zorses are infertile animals and are unable to reproduce themselves.

  • Zebra stripes for camouflage and identification
    Val Jiwa

    Zebra stripes stand out among other African grazers. Their black and white stripes seem so out of place in the bush, in particular against a plain savanna background. So why have stripes at all when that would make them conspicuous and exposed to the ubiquitous predators? The zebra stripes remain a mystery to science even today. Zoologists have yet to unravel the mysteries behind its signature-striped suit. Scientists are not sure why zebras have not blended in with the browns and reds or why they have stripes. There are many theories and counter-theories to this riddle of zebra stripes.

  • Val Jiwa

    Visits to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage are allowed for an hour from 11 am to 12 pm when they bring the youngest nursery inmates to a cordoned area for their exercise and daily mud bath. There they bottle-feed the hungry infants. Visitors are free to watch, get close or even touch them but not allowed to feed the animals. The keepers tell stories to the visitors about how the elephants are faring and how the former orphans are progressing. After that, the animals return to the entrance. Visitors are allowed to adopt elephants for a fee of $50/- a year.

  • he Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel reminiscent of the early European days in Kenya
    Val Jiwa

    The giraffes wander around at the Manor as they please. They casually visit it in the mornings and late afternoons to greet the guests. Although still wild animals, the giraffes at the Manor have become accustomed to seeing residents and guests. Hence, they are semi-habituated. Animal lovers will enjoy interacting with the friendly giraffes. Giraffes come to the breakfast table checking out what’s on the plates or vie for attention at the room windows. In the hope of a treat, they stick their long necks into the windows. Visitors find it amusing to hand-feed them who come to the veranda.

  • The park is 6 miles from Nairobi
    Val Jiwa

    Nairobi National Park was the first game reserve in Kenya. It is the only wildlife park in the world that is closest to a city. The park is 6 miles from Nairobi. Set on the southern outskirts of Nairobi, it has 117 square kilometers of pristine savanna, grasslands, forests, wetlands and rocky valleys. The park offers the country’s most accessible and incongruous safari experience. This green city in the sun is a real contrast to the buzz of the city. Nairobi National Park is a short drive out of the Central Business District. Also, Nairobi travel companies offer half-day safaris.

  • B[/su_dropcap]omas of Kenya is Kenya in miniature representing the country on a small scale
    Val Jiwa

    Bomas of Kenya is Kenya in miniature representing the country on a small scale. While for foreigners, Bomas of Kenya consist of traditional virtual villages and mud huts spread over many acres each representing the remote communities of the country, for residents, it is a spectacular afternoon out. Hence, it is a very popular tourist attraction for foreigners and locals alike. In 2003, the Bomas of Kenya hosted the National Constitutional Conference’s first meeting. It produced the Bomas Draft of the new constitution making it a high-profile historical site. Bomas of Kenya is situated 10km from the city of Nairobi.

  • Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the many recommended places for a day trip because it is located just 110km from the city of Nairobi on the edge of Naivasha. It is a spectacular destination on earth
    Val Jiwa

    Some things in life are free. Mother Nature is one of them. There is something in nature that does wonders to our souls, minds, and bodies. It is our responsibility to take advantage of the beauty around us for the greater good. And watch the magical power of nature unfold before you as you experience life day by day. Take a much-deserved break and make a trip to Hell’s Gate National Park. Why is Hell’s Gate National Park a highly recommended place for an occasional visit? It is because of the natural beauty. Why is nature important? Here is why.

  • The 17th of April 1883 saw the birth of Karen Blixen into an aristocratic family in Rungsted in Denmark
    Val Jiwa

    In 1962, Karen Blixen died of malnutrition at the age of 77 in Rungsted, her family estate. Many languages still publish her books even after her death. But the world best knows her as the author of Out of Africa. In one of the former homes in Karen, the suburb where she lived in Nairobi, Kenya, is a Karen Blixen Coffeehouse as well as a Museum. Karen Blixen Museum in Karen is the site of the original farmhouse of Karen Blixen. The Museum is half a mile from the Karen Country Club where guests can enjoy squash, tennis, and golfing.

  • Nairobi gallery
    Val Jiwa

    The building that today houses Nairobi Gallery was constructed in 1913. The location was Point Zero. The colonial government measured the distances to all areas of the country from this point. Point Zero is an octagonal atrium in the center of the gallery. A Clay Vessel by Lady Magdalene Odundo graces the entrance of the building. Lady Odundo was a renowned Kenyan ceramist. For her works, she received from the Queen of England the distinction of OBE and the only Kenyan to have received it. Today a gourmet café by the same name is an exciting item of the Gallery.