Travel Blog

Safeguarding valuable wildlife resources for current and future generations is one of the agenda for the Kenyan government today. Kenya’s wildlife population is in a decline, with an average loss of 68% over the last 40 years. There are 33 mammalian, 28 avian and 356 plant species in Kenya under threat. The wildlife species population losses are driven by a combination of factors including, climate and land use changes, habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, illegal trade, and human-wildlife conflict. National Wildlife Strategy (NWS) 2030, aims at enhancing species protection and management through the conservation of endangered and threatened species. It provides for the development, adoption and implementation of policy guidelines on species specific conservation interventions including captive breeding, introduction, reintroductions, and translocations of the endangered species. The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, Section 49 prescribes development and implementation of species specific recovery plans for all species listed in the sixth schedule such as the Mountain bongo Mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is an endangered tragelaphine antelope subspecies found wild only in Kenya. It is endemic to the Aberdare, Mount Kenya, Cheranganis Hills and the Mau Forests Complex. The mountain bongo has undergone a drastic decline in all these forests with limited information on the exact number of animals, though inferential figures stand at less than 100 individuals mainly confined to the Aberdare and Maasai Mau. The Eastern or Mountain Bongo is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one the Critically Endangered species, with more individuals in captivity than in the wild. The decline in species population has been attributed to various reasons that include habitat fragmentation, poaching, predation, disease and other human induced factors. The Kenyan government has developed a National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo. It was developed through a

  The Great wildebeest migration refers to the continuous movement of vast numbers of wildebeest accompanied by large numbers of zebras and gazelles searching for food and water between Tanzania and Kenya. Wildebeest also known as white bearded Gnu is an antelope with a broad and flattened muzzle, cow like horns, short neck and high shoulders. Males have somewhat thicker and longer horns than females. The Wildebeest is a dominant plains antelope in the acacia savannas of eastern and southern Africa. The broad mouth equips it to graze in short  nutritious grasslands. It is built to migrate long distance in search of greener pasture. Wildebeest often graze in mixed herds with zebra, which gives heightened awareness of potential predators. They are also alert to the warning signals emitted by other animals such as baboons. WHY DO WILDEBEESTE MIGRATE? Every year, some populations of blue wildebeest in Kenya and Tanzania have a long-distance migration, seemingly timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth. Timings of their migrations in both the rainy and dry seasons can vary considerably (by months) from year to year. At the end of the wet season (May or June in East Africa), wildebeest migrate to new areas in response to a lack of surface (drinking) water. When the rainy season begins again (months later), animals quickly move back to their wet-season ranges. Some factors suspected to affect migration include food abundance, surface water availability, predators, and phosphorus content in grasses. Phosphorus is a crucial element for all life forms, particularly for lactating female bovid. As a result, during the rainy season, wildebeest select grazing areas that contain particularly high phosphorus levels. NON MIGRATING WILDEBEESTE Not all wildebeest are migratory. Black wildebeest herds may have a regular home range of 1 km2  . Blue

MADARAKA TRAIN TIME TABLE AND COST Mombasa – Nairobi Madaraka Train departure timetable The morning train departs Mombasa at 8:00 pm and arrives in Nairobi at 2:10 pm. The Afternoon train leaves Mombasa at 3:oo pm and arrives in Nairobi at 8:08 pm. The night train leaves Mombasa at 10.00 pm and reaches Nairobi at 3.35 am. Nairobi – Mombasa Madaraka Train Departure timetable The morning train departs Nairobi at 8:00 am and takes 6 hours. Arrives in Mombasa at 2:00 pm. The afternoon train departs Nairobi at 3.oopm and reaches Mombasa at 8.08pm. The night train departs Nairobi at 10 .00pm and reaches Mombasa at 3:35am MADARAKA TRAIN COST IN KENYA SHILLINGS FIRST CLASS  ADULTS KSH 4500 CHILDREN (BTW 3 - 11YRS) KSH 2250 CHILDREN (BELOW 3YRS) KSH 0 - FREE ECONOMY ADULTS KSH 1500 CHILDREN (BTW 3 - 11YRS) KSH 750 CHILDREN (BELOW 3YRS) KSH 0 - FREE MADARAKA TRAIN TICKETS COST The first class ticket costs Ksh4500 and second/economy class costs Ksh1500. We charge $5 service fee per ticket. The service includes the process of booking the train. After booking, ticket reference numbers will be sent to you via email for you to print at the train station on the day you travel. We are also able to print the tickets and deliver them at extra cost. To book, please send an inquiry through our email info@kichakatours.co.ke. We will have to check availability first before we continue with the booking process. First Class  Ksh.4500 + $5 (service fee) Economy Class  Ksh.1500 + $5 (service fee) KENYA TRAIN BOOKING This service is ideal for someone who doesn’t reside in Kenya but wishes to book the train ticket before they arrive. We will be able to do it for you. After booking the ticket, reference number will sent it