Ringing at Ngulia Lodge, Tsavo NP
Jeremy Barker
Introduction
A trip I had not expected to make: I was asked if I had the time and money available to join a ringing expedition to Tsavo National Park, in eastern Kenya. Naturally I wasn't quite sure if this was a good idea, but after a touch of persuasive talking by some contacts, I conceded this might be worth a go. Perhaps. On balance...
OK, I jumped at the opportunity, obviously!
No particular details to add in the trad. trip report style, except some brief transport details: we flew from Heathrow to Nairobi overnight on the 1st-2nd December, then picked up our hire car (an old petrol 4x4) from Concorde Car Hire - who provided excellent service. We drove straight down to Tsavo, pausing only for a meal and beer at Hunter's Lodge, about half-way along the route. The entire trip was whiled away at Ngulia Lodge in the centre of the NP; a really tough place to live, I can assure you...
Most of the work was done overnight and in the early morning, so sleep took place in the afternoon - a handful of trips out into the bush happened on the few days we had no birds, so we didn't go entirely without mammal interest. A species list and photo gallery is available here, whilst some general views of the park follow below to make up some space!
