| |
Created in 1950, this park in the Central
Highlands encloses two different environments: the Kinangop
Plateau in the south, a 60km stretch of moorland, peaks and forest;
and the Salient, and outcrop of dense rainforest to the east. As
on Mt. Kenya, rain can be expected at any time.
The park has a variety of fauna flora
and scenery that you’ll seldom find elsewhere. Due
to the dense forest vegetation, you will need to do some searching
for the wildlife, but there are also many purposes built game viewing
lodges. Elephants and buffaloes are the dominant animals, but rarer
species can be found, including black rhinos, bongo antelopes, black
servals and the elusive black leopard. Hundreds of bird species
can be also be seen. The viewing platforms next to the dramatic
Chania Falls and Karura Falls
are popular; Gura Falls, which drops 300m into
thick forest, is more difficult to get to.
For the past few years the Rhino
Ark organization has been constructing an electric fence
around the park perimeter. Once finished, the 278 km barrier will
keep animals within the park and stop local villagers encroaching
on the forest.
|
|