Whales

Whales are warm blooded mammals. They are categorized as cataceans because they live in water through out their entire life. In this category one will also find the dolphins and porpoises too. Their bodies are well adapted to living in the water in various ways. First their bodies are streamlined thereby reducing friction between their bodies and the water. They are also almost hairless ensuring that water doesn’t get soaked and soggy in water. Unlike other fish, whales don’t breathe through gills instead they have a sprout like blow-horn that they breathe through with the fresh air then being taken into their lungs and pumped into their entire body.

There are two kinds of whales; the Baleen whales and the Rright whales. The Baleen whale cruises among the masses of tiny shrimp like creatures which abound in most waters as it gulps in great mouthfuls of them. Water is strained out through the sides but the food is trapped and swallowed whole. All Baleen whales have two blow holes. An example of them is them is the blue whale. The Right whales on the other hand have two blow-horns. Interestingly they have no teeth instead their gums are fringed with long bristle like structures that are similar to corns on the toes. It is therefore easy to categorize whales basically by studying their feeding habits and physical traits.

Like mammals they too have a hierarchical system of association in their groups always maintaining close relationships within their groups. They communicate using a variety of sounds that are highly pitched for the common ear to hear.

Over the years, the population of whales has dwindled significantly as a result of hunting there they are starved, or as a result of pollution in oceans such as massive oil spills that have suffocated them to death. Some species of whales are known for a variety of reasons for example: the Sperm whale has the largest brain in the animal kingdom, the Right whales don’t sink when the die. The Humpback whale is referred to as the singing whale because it is the only whale that produces audible rhythmic sounds while communicating. The Orcas is the killer whale that uses its forked fins to kill prey.

Whales are so heavy that if a whale went on land it would literally kill itself as a result of its bones caving in on it. That is why it stays in water throughout its life because the seas up-thrust force reduces the whales’ weight by up to a half ensuring that it stays streamlined in water.

I would love to witness the Humpback whales communicating. Perhaps they sound like a beautiful orchestrated Beethoven composition.

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The Kudu hills

The Kudu Hills are located about seventy kilometres south of Nairobi in Kajiado District, quite close to Amboseli National Park. The traveller needs to follow the Nairobi- Namanga road up until Moi Girls Isinya, where she then turns to the first right tarmac road from the school. one then proceeds driving for another thirty kilometres. The road is bumpy however and drivers need to be keen especially after the rains when rivers have found their routes. The area is sparsely populated with most of the inhabitants being the Maasai people.

In This region there is a spectacular vulture nesting site for tourists to view that is amongst a huge cliff overlooking a dry riverbed: which becomes impassable bursting its banks after a rainy season.

The vulture are very interesting birds as on watches them in their nest. In the morning they usually fly far and wide in search of food only to return in the evening with enough food for both the young and old who are no longer able to fly long distances.

still in the area, there is a small tourist site set up by the local people who organise trips mostly for schools and colleges. the site is near a rocky field and one can climb up to the highest boulder to take a peak at the lush, acacia thorny tree filled escarpment. The locals organise talks, dances and discussion forums that are aimed at showcasing the maasai culture. the traditional dances are the most interesting especially for those who have never seen any traditional folk song. Outside the makeshift hall, the women sell well decorated necklases with each necklase going for about two hundred shillings. Ironically though, the smaller bangles go for three hundred shillings.

The site does not offer camps instead it offers day to day excursions for parties. This is because the people do acknowledge that their habitat is shared together with hyenas and wild dogs. Travellers will also need to carry their own food as they do not offer meals. For this hot weathered region, one is advised to wear light clothes and comfortable sport shoes for the day.

Kudu Hills is best suited for social groups rather than family since the activities involve social interactive forums and also team building events.

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