| Going further afield, into the valley or into the escarpment forests, the story is the same; a very wide variety of fauna, but very hard to observe. The variety is the result of the very many disparate ecological zones located between escarpment top and the river 1200 m below. Species of the riverine bush and others of the semi-desert may be separated by only a few hundred meters. The apparent scarcity of animals is due to their reclusive and secretive behaviour, making viewing difficult. They are coexisting in an unstable equilibrium with expanding human populations and secrecy is one of their essential survival tactics. Visitors should never expect to see the large numbers of animals found in the National Parks. |
KERIO VIEW
|
KV Wildlife Guide
| What to see and where A wide variety of animals can be seen at Kerio View and in the immediate area. Birds are particularly evident and the dedicated ornithologist can easily spot 60 different species in as many minutes. The larger include eagles, hawks and kites, hornbills and crows. The smaller include starlings, weaver birds, sunbirds, shrikes and tree creepers. Mammals include Rock Hyrax, Duiker and Colobus Monkeys. They will only be seen when visitors are few (and quiet !!) |
| Bogoria is the place for flamingos, klipspringer, Greater kudu and African hunting dogs. |
| Going further afield, Baringo is the place for hippo and the richest variety of birds in East Africa. Close by is a small snake park which is worth a visit. |
| Insects and spiders are everywhere, but mostly unseen --- going about their business in flowers, tree trunks and under the ground. The large tapering termite mounds, which are a characteristic sight in the valley, mark the subterranean nests of millions of invisible termite workers. Other insects include ants, bees, scorpions, solifugids, grasshoppers, locusts and dung beetles. Most impressive of all, however, are the dragonflies and butterflies of the escarpment forests and the Kerio river banks. Undoubtedly, many of them are unrecorded species. |
| Reptiles include crocodiles, tortoise and numerous lizards and snakes. Many of the snakes are poisonous; but visitors should not fear, because meeting one is very unlikely --- even if one is looking for them. They hear you before you see them. |
| In the Rimoi area of the Kerio Valley, which is now classified as a game reserve, there are the wild elephants and buffalo. Because of their frequent and unprofitable meeting with human beings, they can be very hostile when approached closely or unexpectedly. Visitors are warned to notify the Wildlife Department in advance ---- so that they can arrange to provide a ranger/guide. Smaller mammals include Thompson's gazelle, porcupines and anteaters, genets and civet cats. Leopards are now almost wiped out and restricted to the remoter escarpment forests. |
