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The entry to the African World Desert begins with grove of acacia trees (Acacia xanthophloea) and a winding stream. In this breathtakingly authentic re-creation, you are entering the valley of the Uwaso Nyeri river in northern Kenya.
Fed by rain from Mount Kenya, the river winds through the desert bushlands of the Samburu and Buffalo Springs wildlife reserves. Hippos bathe and bask in its shallows and the overhanging trees are filled with the chattering of Vervet monkeys. There are otters and several types of water birds here and when you look closely, you realise that those rocks in the river are actually Nile crocodiles! And you get a unique opportunity to see them at close quarters. First you can watch them from above, then enter a pavilion where you see them underwater as they cruise slowly by. This perspective also gives you an underwater view of the hippos.
This is a land of ample shade and cooling water, yet just a stone's throw away the land is brittle and dry. In the bush beyond, you'll be watched by several sentinels from a family of meerkats. While the rest of the family digs frantically in the dirt, the guard is on the lookout, watching visitors as they approach. A wide variety of spectacular birds live in this dry bushland including the metallic coloured starlings and flocks of Weaver birds. Last but not least, this arid land is also home to the serval, one of Africa’s most graceful predators.
Low hills known as kopjes or inselbergs punctuate the landscape and give home to a unique set of plants, including strangler figs, commiphora and aloes. Antelope species such as the dik dik and klipspringer live here too, and family groups of hyrax scamper over the rocks.
Walking up slope now, you approach the African Wildlife Safari disembarking point, where you can decide whether to take the safari or carry on through the African World Desert. Follow the new trail back and you'll come across one of our biggest attractions! For this is the path that leads you to the lions – the African desert’s greatest predator. At times of high activity, such as mid-afternoon, the lions are pacing as if food or prey are at hand. The playful cubs are almost under your feet and the patriarch of the pride is watching you with more than casual interest! You'll be very glad that there's a large and reassuring plate of glass between you and him.
Stroll on further to see more lions, then jackals and hyenas which you can watch from a viewing boardwalk. From there you can take the main path back to the oasis. And as you return, you may well be amazed by the thought that you've just explored darkest Africa, in just a couple of hours.
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