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East Africa National Parks and Its Wildlife For Tourists Flights

East Africa comprised of five countries namely, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. These countries attract tourists due to its wildlife of trees& flowers, reptiles, insects, mammals that they have.

Through tourism these countries earn foreign exchange which they use to improve the social, economic, political environment of their countries. They have also put strict measures are regulations governing the National Parks & Reserves for prohibiting  poaching and  encroachment  near the parks and  by putting electric fences as security measures. Due to this these countries enjoy the visit of these National Parks & Reserves by tourists from all over the world and there are two seasons low and high .The low season is when there are very few tourists visiting and that is during the month of April to mid June every year and high season from mid June to end of March when they are many tourists and even you find hotels fully booked and even commercial flights to the most common destinations,

The most common destinations and recognized National parks in East  Africa are ,Masai Mara, Amboseli,Tsavo East ,Tsavo  West, Samburu, Shaba, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Wasini & Funzi Island on South Coast,Mfangano & Rusinga  Island  on Lake  Victoria, Lake  Bogoria, Lake Baringo,Mt  Kenya, Meru, Malindi  Marine Park,Lamu Island  all found in Kenya .In Tanzania the National Parks are, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Lobo,Serengeti,Seronera,Mahe,Pemba & Mafia Islands,Selous,Mt Meru, Mt Kilimanjaro among others. National Parks in Uganda are, Mutchisson falls, Kabalega Falls, Karuma Falls, Fort Portal, Fort Bell, Lake Albert, among others. The countries in East Africa which are mostly recognized for Gorilla Safaris as they border  DR Congo are Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and for those tourists who likes  Monkeys, Baboons and Chimpanzee can just cross to Democratic Republic of Congo which borders these three countries.

In these National Parks there are several activities going on like, Scenic Safaris, Birding Safaris, Helicopter Safaris, Sight Seeing & Aerial Photography, Filming Safaris, Hot Balloon Safaris, Horse & Camel Riding Safaris, Boat Riding Safaris, and Mountain Climbing which are available on request. The most interesting part is for those using Helicopter flights to these National Parks they can do Scenic safaris, Sight Seeing & Aerial Survey & Photography over these National Parks as they approach their destinations. Fixed Wing Aircrafts are also available which have low wings and you can have the scenic safari enroute and overhead any geographic feature and the view of the National  Park you are visiting  as you approach it from the air. For Helicopter Safaris you need to do an advance booking as they are scarce and are available only on 3 to 5 seater capacity.

Did you know there are three different species of Giraffes and two for the Rhinoceros? If not then follow this story keenly,

(1) GIRAFFES

They are classified in three species namely, MASAI GIRAFFE, RETICULATED GIRAFFE AND ROTHSCHILDS GIRAFFE.

(A) MASAI GIRAFFE

As the world's tallest animal, reaching height over 5m, the giraffe is unmistakeable.The immense neck, sloping body and long legs and easy identification. The coat pattern is that of irregular brown blotches on a yellow-buff background. The coat co lour of the males has a tendency to darken with age. The under parts are light with faint blotches and spots. A mane of stiff hair extends from the nape, down the neck of the shoulders. The tail is long and thin terminating in an abundance of long black hair. The amount and size of horns is very variable but normally they possess a principle pair on the upper forehead and signs of a much smaller pair on the crown. In addition they often have a single knob of horn in the centre of the lower forehead. The horns are skin covered with tufts of hair at the tips in some females and younger animals. Females are smaller than males.

An inhabitant of bush and lightly wooded regions south of the Sahara, where they feed by browsing to a height denied to all other herbivores. They will strip leaves and shoots from ven the thorniest trees and bushes with ease, by use of prehensile lips and a very long 45cm tongue. They remain active for much of the day, seeking shade during hot midday period. They are found in herds of between 6-12 animals on average. They need to drink every 2-3 days when water is available and during the dry season they are seldom too far from a permanent source they will disperse over a much wider during the rains. In order to drink they have to splay out the forelegs and it is at these times they are most susceptible attack by Lions. They walk with a slow amble moving both legs of the same. Side of the body together, this is known as pacing and is quite unusual among animals. When they run or gallop they give the impression of slow motion but are capable of speeds up to 60 km/h.

(B) RETICULATED GIRAFFE

A sub-species of Masai Giraffe. The coat pattern of this sub-species is very striking, crisp, liver-coloured geometric patches, conspicuously defined by narrow white times running between them, produces a crazy paving appearance. These markings become paler on the inner flanks, legs and under parts. The coat colour of the male has a tendency to darken with age. Females are smaller than males. A distribution overlap brings Reticulated Giraffes into contact with Masai Giraffes resulting in a variety of hybrid types within certain areas. An inhabitant of dry bush country in North-Eastern Kenya, particularly in Samburu Game Reserve and into Somalia.

( C)  ROTHSCHILDS  GIRAFF

A sub-species of Masai Giraffes .The coat pattern of this sub-species is similar to that of the Reticulated Giraffe but with the crazing paving effect less well defined. There are the knees or hocks, these areas being almost pure white. The body patterning, although fainter, does extend to the inner flanks, upper legs and under parts. Females are smaller than males.

An inhabitant of bush and lightly wooded areas of Western Kenya. Afine herd of Rothschild's Giraffe can be found in the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya.

(2) RHINOCEROS.

There are two species of Rhinoceros as below,

(a) Black Rhinoceros,

A relic of prehistoric times the rhinoceros is almost unmistakable. The black Rhino is distinguished from the slightly larger White Rhino by the narrow mouth and prehensile upper lip. The head is large and carries two horns, the larger front horn measuring on average 60cm although individuals  with a front  horn over twice that length have been recorded. The ears are oval and tipped with tufts of dark hair. The eyes are small and the eye sight poor, but the senses of smell and hearing are very acute. The huge body is covered with a thick hide of grey skin although due to the rhino's predilection for wallowing in mud, their coloration can appear very variable. The tail is short and tipped with stiff hairs in spite of their bulk the Black Rhino is very maneuverable and capable of a top speed 50km/h.

The distribution of this species has been much reduced in the past 25 years as a result of increased poaching. They favour areas of dry bushy savannah and lightly wooded regions. In most areas they survive by browsing leaves and shoots from bushes, trees, although the population inhabiting the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania grazes regularly due to lack of suitable browse. They feed mainly in the early morning and ate afternoon, seeking shade or a mud wallow during the hottest midday period. Although they are capable of surviving for several days without water they will drink and wallow daily when possible, often traveling many kilometers t an available source. During periods of drought they will often dig for water in dried up river beds by use of their forelegs. Rhinos are solitary animals although females are usually accompanied by their most recent off springs.

(b) White Rhinoceros

The White Rhino is the worlds second largest land mammal-the Elephant being the largest.The animals name has nothing  whatever to do with colour , but word ‘weit' meaning wide and refers to the shape of the mouth this being the two African species. For bigger & heavier than the Black Rhino the head is large , square-shapped and carries two horns. The front harn is larger of the two, averaging 60cm in length, the rear horn is shorter and thicker. The ears are large and oval in shape, the eyes are small and the eyesight is poor. The huge body is covered with a thick hide of pole grey skin. The tail is short terminating with stiff hairs.

Several attempts to reintroduce this species into East Africa National Parks have been undertaken in recent times, but most of the introduced animals subsequently fallen to poachers guns and snares. Hopefully, the latest introduction of seventeen animals from South Africa into Kenya's Lake Nakuru National Park will fare better, thereby securing the long-term future of the species in East Africa. They feed throughout the day and night ,but usually seek shelter from the hot midday sun. They will drink several times a day if water is readily available but during the dry season they can subsist by drinking every 3-4 days. In spite of their bulk they are surprisingly quick and manoeuurable.

There are more stories on Reptiles, Mammals, Trees & Flowers, Insect, which you will learn different types of species and them characteristics.

For Safaris or Holidays in East Africa you can view several wildlife by using several packages segmented as below,

(a)Road Package Safaris

This the most economic safari tailor-made for budget travelers which include road transport, accommodation, meals on full or half board, park entry fees, game drives. For Vehicles they are several to choose from, Tour Van, Pajero, Trucks, 4BY4 land cruisers, Land rovers, Vitara Suzuki among others depending on your budget. In this the drinks, films, tips, and other expenditure are not included. We have foreign exchange bureaus all over Kenya where you can convert you currency and banks where you can do your banking for both withdrawals and deposits in any currency.

(b)Flying Air Packages On Commercial  Flights

This package is for air safari which includes air ticket, accommodation, meals, game drives, park entry fees, but excluding hot balloon safaris, drinks, tips and any other personal expenditure. You can change you currency at the hotel either in town or in National Parks the services are available. These services is whereby you purchase a ticket on per seat basis and these flights are operated on scheduled and on different timings thus the need to get a consultant who will work out  a tailor-made itinerary to meet these flight schedules to avoid you missing your flights or accommodation.

 

( c)  Private  Charter  Flying  Package

This is using a flight that you will have to choose your own timings and you will have your privacy. The entire aircraft is reserved only for your family or group and you can choose to leaving early or late morning, afternoon but for change of flight you need to notify in at least 4 hours before departure time. This is inclusive of, accommodation, meals full or half board, game drives, park entry fees but exclusive of tips, drinks, films or personal expenditure and we do have foreign exchange bureaus and banks where you can do your transaction. This service empowers you to choose the aircraft of your choice, single engine piston or turbo prop, twin engine piston or turbo prop, and executive jet. The aircrafts can be configured to V.I.P configuration especially the caravan, BEECH 200 SUPERKINGAIR, BEECH 1900C, the citation bravo 550 is already V.I.P configured.

The best way to fly is  to take packages as you will get better discounts and have one-stop  shopping which will give you a personized service and a centralized reservations to avoid confusion and huge expenditure on making phone calls to hotels, airline and so forth.

Your have options to choose from for budget and non-budget travel when on safari or holiday in East Africa.

 

 

About the Author

Anthony Juma is the Editor  and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation. 
This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Tourists Charter Flights Masai MAra/Mt Kenya/Lake Baringo/Joys Camp Shaba/Watamu/Ukunda/Lake Manyara/Serengeti/Lobo/Lake Albert/Karuma Falls,Fort Portal/Uganda/Tanzania Kenya. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72&Itemid=82/a>

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