WILD LIFE
Blessed with stunning views of Mt Longonot across Lake Naivasha's tousled waters, the Sirocco Wildlife Sanctuary transformed from working farm to wildlife haven in 1993, long before the notion of re-wilding was in vogue.
Since then nature has taken charge, and the Sanctuary has become a vibrant protected area and riparian corridor for a fascinating assortment of wild creatures that came to live in this haven of their own free will.
The gentle co-existence of people and animals that so marks this place is evident in the supremely relaxed and confident manner of the wild life.
Guests can walk within a few meters of zebra mares suckling foals, take a bike ride past happily wallowing families of warthogs, or enjoy a hot cup of tea beneath the long-neck of a Maasai giraffe as it browses overhead.
Colobus, Sykes and vervet monkeys leap through the trees, while bushbuck tiptoe below to feast on fallen figs and swirling herds of antelopes graze peacefully on the short-grass plains among ruminating buffalo and giraffe.
At night, the more secretive creatures like forest hogs and anteaters root through the turf to feed, and predators like hyena, leopard, jackals, pythons and raptors, lured in by abundant prey, keep the populations in balance.
Even lions occasionally pass by, scoping out the area!
With all wild things protected here, from insects, birds and mammals to the fruiting trees, nectar laden flowers, fungi and wetland gardens with their myriad amphibians, reptiles and fish, the abundance of life in this veritable Garden of Eden is a joy to behold.
Among the 450 bird species found here are fish eagles, lilac-breasted rollers, sunbirds, pied kingfishers, grey hornbills, crowned cranes and pelicans.
Each colourful life weaving a thread within the avian tapestry that helps make the shores of Lake Naivasha such a paradise for ornithologists.
