A stray cat today devoured a baby at a hospital in Garissa a Kenyan town. Garissa is the largest town in Northern Kenya situated close to the somali border. The mother of the baby Halima Mohammed had just delivered the baby through cesarean and was recovering.

Little did she know that her bundle of joy was going to be end in tragedy, because a stray cat entered the nusery where the pre mature infant lay and devoured the infant starting from the infants umbilical cord.

The baby’s mother upon hearing of the incident collapsed and has gone in shock.

This is the first time such a bizzare and unfortunate incident has happened in this hospital said one member of the medical staff when she was questioned about the incident by Citizen TV one of Kenya’s Leading Television stations.

The baby’s father Daudi Mohammed was lost for words and couldn’t comment on it.

The story which aired on Citizen TV 7pm and 9pm has left Kenya’s shocked and disgusted and it comes amid incidents of theft of new born babies in Kenya’s public hospitals and the poor state of medical services and cases of negligence that have been filed against the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.

It is in what was originally part of Karen Blixen’s vast coffee estate, and named after the Ngong Hills, which she held so dearly that the Ngong House gets its name.

Within the ten acres are five tree houses and an apartment on ground level close to the pool. The main house is home to the Verleysen family where creature comforts blend easily with stylish furniture and African art. Built entirely from wood the tree houses are on two levels with a bedroom area upstairs and a living area on the lower floor. They are raised 15 feet from the ground to gain an uninterrupted view of the Ngong Hills over unspoiled bush.

Covered with traditional African grass roofs, the rustic exteriors of these charming tree houses belie the elegant interiors. Crafted by local artists - each house has its own unique style and each has been thoughtfully designed to incorporate comfort and convenience.

Large four-poster beds grace the bedroom area, with crisp cotton bed linen and overfilled feather pillows promising a luxurious night’s sleep.

Meals at Ngong House are a feast for the senses. Delicious food served creatively and with grace, fairytale dinners by candlelight next to a roaring fire, and lunches in beautiful gardens surrounded by indigenous trees hosting Kenya’s exotic birdlife.

Ngong House has a reputation of serving refined food prepared with local ingredients: game meat, fresh lake fish, seafood flown in from the Indian Ocean, all prepared with a large variety of fresh vegetables, in tasty yet healthy ways. For those who prefer, Ngong House offers a selection of vegetarian dishes.

Only the freshest Kenyan produce is served: fish fresh from Lake Victoria and the Kenya coast, trout from the Aberdare Mountains, succulent Molo lamb or Kenyan beef, and locally harvested vegetables.

Several visiting chefs from Belgium have specially trained Ngong House’s Kenyan chefs including a pastry chef from Bruges (Belgium) spent a season relaying his techniques. Lunch at Ngong House is served in the garden under one of the many indigenous trees. Dinner is served in a half open thatched rondavel w ith a huge fireplace and plenty of candles, creating a unique dining atmosphere found only at Ngong House.

So where is Lake Masek? you ask, Lake Masek is situated at the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, south of the Serengeti Plains. This unique location is witness to the Wildebeest Migration. There is wildlife such as lion, leopard, cheetah and elephants all year around for those who aint wildebeest funs like me.

Ok lets face it wildebeest aren’t the most attrative creatures in the savannah anyway. To me this beast seems to be made up of other animal parts put together but thats a topic for another day.

So Lake Masek Tented camp is they say is eco-friendly as all the electric power is supplied by solar panels and rain water is collected during the rainy season.

Lake Masek Tented camp has got 20 luxury spacious tents, en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and a fine cuisine.

I remember being told that while sitting on the private veranda i might be fortunate to witness the birth of a wildebeest. All i can say is don’t count on it. What you can count on seeing are hippos and flamingos dancing like ballerinas. And just before dinner, when it is already dark you can take a guaranteed hot shower underneath the stars.

You can easily spend 2-3 nights at Lake Masek Tented Camp.Infact i would recommend that you spend a few days here even if you are one of those tourists who want to see the entire country in a week. In the evening you may enjoy an appetizer around the camp fire and at day time you can make a Masai guided walking safari or pay a visit to Olduvai Gorge.

Meru National Park is a Kenyan forest reserve located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 87,044 hectares,it is one the lesser known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635-762 mm in the west of the park and 305-356 mm in the east.The rainfall results in tall grass and lush swamps, which make it difficult to spot game. It has a wide range of wild beasts like elephant, hippopotamus, lion, leopard, cheetah, black rhinoceros and some rare antelopes.

Once in the verge or ruin, today its one of the most promising tourist destinations in Eastern Africa.

Despite the fact that it’s today one of Kenya’s major national parks, this destination is still overlooked by the majority of tourists.

Due to high rainfall the area has tall grass and dense swamps making it more difficult to spot game, unlike other African parks.

Today visitors visit this park most famous as the setting for Joy Adamson’s book “Born Free” — the story of the Adamson’s life and research amongst lion and cheetah. “Elsa” the lioness was the most well-known and her grave is marked here. One lodge and two tented camps are planned inside the Park. There are eight special campsites which must be pre-booked, one public campsite, Kenya Wildlife Service self-help banda and Leopard Rock bandas (total 120 beds).

Elsa the Lioness is buried in this park and part of Joy’s ashes were scattered on her gravesite. Joy Adamson released Pippa the cheetah in this park.

On the border of Meru National Park is Bisanadi National Reserve. Known as ‘Kinna’, the border between Meru and Bisanadi Parks is the traditional division between the Meru and Boran tribespeople. The Reserve was opened in September 1979 and occupies an area of 606 square kilometers. A true wilderness area without any accommodation it is only accessible by 4WD vehicles. There is an airstrip at Korbessa.

Another area made famous by the Adamsons is Kora National Park. Opened in October 1989, 280 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, it is an easy outing from Meru National Park. Covering an area of 1,787 square kilometers, bounded by the Tana River, George Adamson’s camp was here until he died. A feature is the sudden appearance of lush green “oases”, created by the lines of doum palms which shelter the banks of the Tana River. Striking are the Inselbergs — isolated rocky outcrops covered in vegetation which create random islands above the plains. Kora has diverse wildlife: 21 species of fish have been recorded, with 500 species of insect, 33 molluscs and 40 reptiles. Species to view include: elephant, Lesser Kudu, wild dog, striped and spotted hyenas, leopard and cheetah.

These delightful apes, more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.

A network of shady forest trails provides much to delight botanists and butterfly lovers, while birders are in for a treat. The park boasts 325 species of birds, including 6 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift region, namely black-capped apalis, blue-headed sunbird, collared apalis, dusky crimsonwing, purple-breasted sunbird and red-faced woodland warbler.

The elusive forest elephant, smaller and hairier than its savannah counterpart, moves seasonally into the developed part of the park, while other terrestrial mammals include buffalo, giant forest hog and a half dozen antelope species.

Safari Activities in kibale include chimpanzee habituation experience which is an experience allowing accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituators as the chimpanzee go about their daily activities. On such a tour, expect to see the chimps de-nesting between 05.30-06.30, follow them during the day until they create new nests at night.

Primate walks pehaps the most popular activity in the park. Chimpazee tracking safaris starts from the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 08.00 and 15.00 and lasts 2-3 hours. Primates are sought after by visitors during the walk. These include black and white co lobus, red tailed m( grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will point out pittas and other bird species and will explain the tradit of plant species within the forest.

The Mountain Elgon, is a massive solitary volcanic mountain on the border of eastern Uganda and western Kenya. Its vast form, eighty kilometres in diameter, rises 3070m above the surrounding plains, providing welcome relief in more than one sense of the word and making it the second highest mountain in Kenya.

Mount Elgon is a hugely important water catchment. Its forests receive up to 3000mm of rain each year, which they store and release to support flora, fauna and more than a million Ugandans. Elgon’s water is equally important to many Kenyans, for Mount Elgon is bisected by the international boundary.

The forest is untamed wilderness that was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2003 in recognition of its importance as a water catchment area for the Nzoia River flowing into Lake Victoria, and for Turkwel River flowing into Lake Turkana. Mt Elgon forest has a wide variety of attractions that include caves formed from ancient lava tubes, cliffs and mountain peaks ideal for climbing, waterfalls, gorges, hot springs and calderas.

The caves known collectively as Elkony, display ancient paintings. The most known cave is the Kitum Cave, which is regularly visited by elephants, buffalo, bushbuck, and duiker in search of mineral rich salt found there.

Each night, elephant herds gather at the cave and begin a slow procession deep into the mountain, making their way through the paths made by generations before them.

In Shinyalu Division of Kakamega District, is a world famous equatorial rainforest known for its diversity of bird and insect life. Its uniqueness has made consevation its top priority. Step into the Kakamega forest and you definetly get the feeling that you are in an African Amazon.

This rainforest the only on of its kind in Kenya covers an area of 240 square kilometers and has more than 380 different types of plants and 400 species of butterfly, many of which can only be found here.

The climate is very wet, with an average of over 2m of rain per year. The “Long Rains” are April through May, with the “Short Rains” occurring in August and September. The driest months of the year are January and February. The temperature ranges from a minimum of about 11°C and maximum of about 26°C throughout the year.

The indigenous Mysopsis Eminee, locally known as Mama Mutere, has a multitude of medicinal qualities that are believed to help cure ailments such as cancer and stomach aches. The timber is very valuable and consequently, this tree has become an endangered species over the years.

Kakamega forest has primate reserve with different species of monkeys, families of blue and Columbus monkeys can be seen leaping through canopies.

Kakamega Related Links

• Kakamega by MagicalKenya
• Kakamega Forest National Reserve by the Kenya Wildlife Service
• Kakamega Forest National Reserve Think Quest
• Kakamega Forest National Reserve Kilimanjaro Travel
• Kakamega National Reserve
• Kakamega Forest

“If you only do one Safari in your entire life, this is the one” - CNN

While Indian elephants have long been used to carry people on their backs, riding their much larger and wilder African cousins has always been seen as too dangerous. But with tame animals raised by humans, elephant-back safaris are quite safe, and the perfect way to move silently through the bush viewing game.

Three South African game lodges offer elephant-back safaris: Camp Jabulani in Limpopo province, Addo Elephant Back Safaris in the Eastern Cape and the Elephant Sanctuary in Gauteng.

Jabulani
In 1997 a three-month-old elephant bull was found stuck in a silt dam near Hoedspruit in Limpopo. Discovered by Lente Roode, founder of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and now owner of Camp Jabulani, the exhausted and malnourished elephant calf was immediately taken to the centre.

Go to South African TourismRoode named the calf Jabulani, meaning “happiness” or “rejoice”, but experts had little hope for his survival without his mother’s milk. But a formula was developed and Jabulani pulled through. Raised in captivity, a attempted reintroduction into the wild herd of elephants on Kapama Game Reserve when he was two years old failed. At five years old the young bull really needed an elephant family when the perfect opportunity presented itself.

In 2002, Roode learned of a herd of 12 trained elephants in Zimbabwe whose lives were in jeopardy after the game farm where they lived was invaded by war veterans. Roode bought the elephants, which were moved to the Kapama Private Game Reserve in South Africa. When Jabulani was introduced to the herd, the matriarch Tokwe immediately adopted him as her own.

Game viewing from elephant back
This was to be the start of elephant-back safaris in South Africa, and the luxury six-suite tented camp Camp Jabulani, named after the feisty little bull. The 13 adult elephants - Sebekwe, Mnuyati, Nfuli, Joe, Jim, Setombe, Semopane, Tokwe, Lundi, Fishan, Bubu, Dande and Jabulani - take guests out on daily excursions to the bush. At night the elephants sleep in stables.

Guests are seated on a comfortable canvas-covered saddle mounted behind an experienced elephant handler. From this vantage point they are able to view game - antelope, giraffe and zebra - up close as the elephants move silently in single file through the bush. It is also possible to see the Big Five as the reserve contains lions, wild elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo.

Each safari lasts for about an hour and 20 minutes and includes a talk by the elephant master on elephant behaviour before the ride, and refreshments afterwards. Guests mount and dismount from a specially built platform level with the elephant’s back.

Elephant-back safaris are available to day visitors too, but for guests staying over at Camp Jabulani safaris are included in the tariff and can be enjoyed both as a daytime excursion and a night safari with spotlights. Guests may have as many rides as they want, but the activity is not available to children younger than 12 years. The 13 elephants can carry a maximum of 18 passengers between them at any one time.

Riding in Addo
In the Zuurberg mountains of Greater Addo - but not affiliated to the national park - is Addo Elephant Back Safaris. At this Eastern Cape lodge guests have the option to walk with or ride the three resident elephants through some of Africa’s most diverse landscapes.

Addo Elephant Back Safaris Addo Elephant Back Safaris

Walks with the elephants allow guests to observe their behaviour in natural surroundings, while riding the gentle pachyderms gives an excellent perspective of the area - at a peaceful and gentle pace. Bush, ravines and forest are encountered on each outing, before relaxing at a waterhole while the elephants frolic and swim.

There are numerous daily options, from a two-hour morning walk and ride with snacks provided, to a three-hour walk and ride with lunch, an afternoon walk and ride with drinks and snacks for two hours, to a late-afternoon sundowner encounter with elephants, with drinks and snacks provided and lasting an hour.

Elephant Sanctuary
Elephant Sanctuary and Guest Lodge is in the scenic Magaliesberg mountains, just 45 minutes from Johannesburg and Tshwane. The sanctuary lies in natural indigenous bush and is home to plenty of wildlife and about 350 species of birds - and 12 African elephants.

Elephant Sanctuary Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Sanctuary offers guests a comprehensive, hands-on elephant experience that enriches and informs. Mosadi, Moroela, Khumba, Thandi, Jabu, Themba, Mvuso, Kitso, Thaba, Tumelo and Kasper ensure that guests will leave with new-found respect and admiration for the gentleness and intelligence of African elephants.

Activities include touching, feeding and brushing elephants, walking with them or riding them through the bush. Guests can opt for a day trip to the sanctuary or overnight in the 10-bedded Indo-African lodge, where all rooms share a common wall with the elephants’ stables.

But you’re the sort of person who likes doing things a little differently. Sure, you still want romance and an unforgettable experience - so where to?

Come to Africa: you won’t be disappointed by the variety of amazing places in which to pop The Question.

We’ve compiled our 10 most romantic places in Africa - they’re all extraordinary destinations which are bound to leave a uniquely African imprint in your hearts.
Propose Big 5 Style: Lion Sands Ivory Lodge - Sabi Sands

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is an exclusive hideaway in a fantastic location on the banks of the Sabie River - making it the perfect place to pop The Question. At this deluxe camp, situated in a private reserve, dine under the African stars after a soothing massage at the spa. Heaven on Earth!
Castaway Romance: Manda Bay, Lamu - Kenya

What could be more romantic then being with your partner at a castaway picnic on a deserted beach? Maybe proposing marriage at the same time. And it’s possible at Manda Bay - an exotic beach resort hotel on tropical Manda Island where you’ll feel like the only 2 people in the world.
Mountains and Ocean: Tintswalo Atlantic - Cape Town

An elegant boutique hotel - Tintswalo Atlantic is surrounded by panoramic mountain and sea views. But nothing beats a marriage proposal while sitting in a helicopter with a magnificent bird’s eye view of the Mother City. If you really want to sweep your partner off their feet, take a helicopter trip to the Cape Winelands and pop the question in the air over a bottle of your favourite wine.
Romance in the Clouds: Naibor Tented Camp - Masai Mara

Get away from the rushed city life and ask your loved one to marry you while visiting one of the ultimate wildlife destinations on earth - the Masai Mara National Reserve. But of course you’ll do it in style: in a hot-air balloon floating above the Mara at sunrise, followed by a celebratory champagne breakfast. All this can be arranged for you - in secret - at Naibor Luxury Camp. What more could you wish for?
Waterfall Backdrop: Tongabezi Lodge - Victoria Falls

Who wouldn’t want to experience the spectacular Victoria Falls up close … and asking a loved one to marry you right on the edge of the Falls would be unforgettable. While staying at the exclusive Tongabezi Lodge a visit to Livingstone Island can be planned to the last detail by the ever-smiling staff who’ll cater to your every need and make your dreams come true.
Island Style: Azura - Mozambique

If you’re looking for the ultimate in escapism and luxury then we suggest you pop the question during a private beach dinner in front of your own villa, surrounded by candles in the sand. Azura is the ideal island getaway for this and with fresh seafood right on the beach, and a little wine to complement your meal, things are sure to go your way.
River Romance: Little Kwara - Okavango Delta

A sunset boat trip through the remote and untouched Okavango Delta, followed by drinks on a “secret island” provides the picture-perfect backdrop for you to declare your love and ask for your partner’s hand in marriage. This can be set up for you while staying at Little Kwara Camp - an intimate 4-tented camp providing the 2 of you with all the seclusion you’ll need.
Savannah Sunrise: Sayari Camp - Tanzania

The vast Serengeti Plains are home to acres of wildlife and the renowned annual Great Migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra. It’s here - at Sayari Camp - where you’re going to pop the question over a glass of champagne and orange juice, a scrumptious bush breakfast and incredible views overlooking the magnificent Serengeti.
Down to the Woods: Tsala Tree Tops - Garden Route

The Tsitsikamma Forest in the Garden Route is a beautiful and most unique location where you could propose marriage during a private gourmet picnic for 2. Stay in a treetop suite at the exclusive Tsala Treetop Lodge and wrap yourself in the serenity of the surrounding forest.
Moonlight Desert: Jacks Camp - Botswana

Dinner and a marriage proposal in the hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Makgadikgadi Pans by moonlight is sure to be a memorable experience. The best place to do this is at Jacks Camp - a 1940s safari style camp where the colonial aura of the camp will have you stepping back in time, going down on one knee and proposing “old-school” style.

It’s not hard to see why so many people travel to the far corners of beautiful Africa to propose to the ones they love. Don’t you think it’s time you did the same

Article by: Avril Field

The partnership manifested in the formation of The Laikipia Wildlife Forum (established 1992). The result is an area preserving more endangered mammals than anywhere else in East Africa. Fed by the Ewaso Nyiro and Ewaso Narok rivers, Laikipia offers diverse scenery from the edge of the Great Rift Valley, to the peaks of Mount Kenya, with dusty plains and verdant grasslands, interspersed with rocky hills, rivers, and waterholes.

The Big 5 are protected here, including half of Kenya’s highly endangered black rhino population. The area also contains one of the largest elephant populations in East Africa

Laikipia is second in size only to Tsavo National Park, and is larger than all other Kenyan game reserves and national parks. This plateau is also the only part of Kenya in which wildlife numbers have actually increased over the past 20 years. With the continued conservation efforts of the LWF, Laikipia will, in all likelihood, be one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Kenya within the next two decades.

For the energetic, the area is home to the world’s only marathon run in a game park. Competitors run on dirt roads within the 62,000 acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The marathon is run annually, and offers gruelling challenges as runners battle the high altitude (3000m) with one eye on the dirt road and the other on spectating cheetah, rhino and elephant.

Activities include day and night game drives and nature walks, horse and camel rides, visits to Lewa’s orphaned animals and horseback rhino patrol for experienced riders. You can also accompany the lion tracker to collect data on the resident lion population or head for the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve in search of black and white colobus monkeys. On the education/community side you can visit schools, water schemes and other community development projects or visit Lewa’s prehistoric archaeological site where stone hand axes are common and date back approximately 800,000-1 million years.