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Tourists Flights And Viewing Of Mammals,Birds,Reptiles,Amphibians,Insect,Flowers & Trees In East Africa National Parks & Game Reserves

Tourists visiting East Africa which comprises of Kenya,Uganda,Tanzania,Rwanda & Burundi which are the five countries that form the East Africa Community.

The tourists touring will have a variety of services to choose from when it comes to air travel which comprises of fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters. There a scheduled flight which normally operates strictly on a timetable and you can purchase a ticket or tickets on per seat basis .There some areas that twice daily flights are operated whereas other areas once daily flights are operated.

There are flying packages offered inconjuction with the hoteliers and air charter companies and you have a package for all inclusive except drinks, tips, films etc and this is discounted and affordable opposed to buying each product or services separately. It is always advisable to buy these packages or making reservations in advance as when you book last minute you might not enjoy the discounts as it is last minute and you are desperate.

We have private flights which can be chartered and it is charged on per capacity basis into East Africa National Parks & National Reserves. The helicopter is ideal to national parks or game reserves that are in bush areas, forest on an island as all it needs is an open place clear and it will drop and pick you at the doorstep but at a premium price and they are only in capacity of 3 and 5 seats excluding pilot. We have the 3 up to 18 seats fixed wing aircrafts which are used for scheduled and private flights. The services are segmented in different categories, VIP Executive flights, helicopter private flights, scenic charter flights, sight seeing charter flights, filming charter flights, aerial survey& photography charter flights, birding safaris, photography charter flights, private charter flights but this will depend with your pocket.

All these services are provided in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi within East Africa region. There also exclusive properties for luxurious spenders and also budget properties provided by different hotel chains within East Africa all you need to do give your budget and you will be served.

We will briefly describe some of the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insect, flowers you will see when you visit East Africa National Parks & Game Reserves including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the entire African Continent. Tourists have different taste just like any other consumer and that is why we are giving description of all that can be found we on tour in East Africa National Parks and Game Reserves. You can take any means of transport on per seat basis air ticket or on per aircraft capacity private charter flight to these destinations all over East Africa through flying packages, private charter packages or by purchasing each product separately.

BIRDS

Africa Fish Eagle.

Widely distributed in the vicinity of both alkaline and freshwater lakes, swamps, marshes and rivers. Adult birds (A) are unmistakable having pure white head, neck mantle and breast contrasting with rofous brown undeparts and dark brown back and wings. The primary wing feathers are blackish .The tail is pure white. A patch of unfeathered skin in front of the eye along with the cere is bright yellow. The bill is grey-blue tipped with black. The eyes are dark brown and the legs and feet are yellow. The female is larger than the male. Immature birds have the crown and upperparts brown, cheeks and neck white, breast and underparts buff to brown heavily streaked with black. The tail is off-white with a brown terminal band. The immature (B) plumage stages are subject to extreme variation. The cere,legs and feet lack the intense colour of the adults, being dull grey-yellow. Feeds mainly on fish but will also take some water birds including flamingos.

Black Kite

A very widely spread species throughout East Africa, found in a wide variety of habitats from woodlands to open plains as well as towns and cities where they are scavenge on human refuse. The head, neck, mantle, back, wing coverts, and under parts are mid-brown streaked and flecked with dark brown. The tail is dark brown at the base and paler towards the deeply forked tip. The underside of the wings is rofous brown streaked and flecked with dark browns. The eyes are dark brown; the cere and gape, like the legs and feet are bright yellow. The bill is yellow darkening towards the tip. The sexes are similar, the female being slightly larger than the male. Immature birds are generally paler above, browner below with white streaking and flecking.

Black- Shouldered Kite

A small grey kite common over the whole region, ranging over a variety of habitats including open plains, woodlands, forests and farmland. The head, face, neck, breast, belly and under parts are white, the head, nape and breast having a blue-grey wash. The back and upper wing coverts are slate blue-grey. The median wing converts are black and very prominent in flight. The primary and secondary wing feathers and blackish. The underwing coverts are white. The tail is white with some grey on the central feathers. The eyes are a piercing bright red contrasting strongly with the white face and dark eyebrow. The cere, legs and feet are bright yellow. The sexes are similar. They hunt from perches and by hovering, dropping onto prey which consists almost entirely of rodents.

Osprey

A winter visitor to much of the region, frequenting large lakes, rivers and estuaries. The crown and nape are white streaked with brown. A dark brown eye stripe extends from the eye down the sides of the neck to the mantle. The mantle, back and upper wing surfaces are dark brown. The throat and breast are white, the latter flecked with a variable amount of brown. The belly, thighs and under parts are white. The under wings are white with brown flecking. The upper tail is dark brown the underside is whitish with dark barring. The eyes are pale golden yellow. The cere, legs and feet are pale slate grey. The sexes are similar. Feeds entirely on fish which are plucked from close to the surface of the water but on occasions will splash dive feet first, snatching fish from up to a metre below the surface.

Pygmy Falcon

A very small falcon of dry thorn bush regions. Can be easily overlooked, resembling a shrike from a distance. The crown, back and wing coverts are grey-blue. The rump, face and under parts are white. The primary wing feathers and the tail are black; the latter with grey banding. The eyes are dark brown. The cere is red and the bill pale blue-grey at the base darkening towards the tip. The legs and feet are orange-red. The sexes differ in plumage, the mantle and back of the male being grey-blue while in the female they are rich chestnut brown. They feed mainly on large insects, small birds, rodents and lizards.

Lanner Falcon

Found in a wide range of habitats from dry semi-deserts to woodland and forest edges and open country. The crown is rufous brown, the cheeks and throat white. A black moustachial stripe is present, as is a black stripe from the eye to the lower nape. The upperparts are grey-brown with darker barring and streaking. The primary and secondary wing feathers are dark brown. The breast and under parts are white washed with pink, some brown blotching is visible on the flanks and thighs. The tail is brown with grey banding. The dark brown eyes have a yellow orbital ring. The cere, legs and feet are yellow. The female is larger than the male and has more pronounced blotching and barring on the underside.

Peregrine Falcon

A strong powerfully built falcon. The crown, nape, cheeks and moustachial stripes are blackish; the back is blue-grey. The chin, throat, breast and under parts are white washed with buff and boldly spotted and barred with black. The eyes are dark brown, the cere, legs and feet are yellow. The female is larger than the male, browner above and with heavier spotting and barring on the underside. Occurs in a variety of habitats from bush country to lakes and farmland. Resident and pale arctic winter visitor.

MAMMALS

Warthog

Often regarded as ugly, the Warthog is the most common of the African pigs. They have little in the way of fur, just a few bristles and whiskers on the body of grey skin. The do, however, have a long black mane of hair on the neck and shoulders. Coloration can vary greatly due to their habit of wallowing in muddy pools. The tail is long and thin, measuring up to 50cm in length and is carried vertically when running. They have a large flat face on which are found two sets of ‘warts', one set immediately below the eyes and the other on the sides of the face between the eyes and the mouth. They have tusks,which emerge from the mouth in a semi-circle outwards and upwards. The tusks and warts are less prominent in the sow than in the boar.

An animal of open savannahs and woodlands living in family groups consisting of a boar, a sow and the offspring from several litters. They can be found during daylight hours grazing, which they often do while kneeling on their front legs. During the hottest part of the day they will seek shade or cover. They feed mainly on short grasses, but will take leaves, roots, fruits and tubers. Sows give birth in burrows and hollows which are lined with grass. The young will remain in the nest for 6-7 weeks. Whole families will sleep together in burrows often excavated originally by Aardvark and later enlarged by the hogs. To defend themselves against predators they enter the burrow backwards, this enables them to make good use of their formidable tusks if threatened.

Hippopotamus

Second in weight only to the Elephant, this unmistakable amphibious mammal has a bulbous body, short legs and a large head which broadens at the muzzle. The eyes, ears and nostrils are placed high on the head in order to remain clear of the water when the animal has its body submerged. The coloration is pink, grey/purple and brown. The body is devoid of fur, having just a few bristles on the tail, head and face. The tail is short and thick. They have well developed incisor teeth which are used when fighting and serve no purpose at all with regard to feeding, which is accomplished by use of the large lips in a ripping motion. In isolated cases they have been recorded feeding on rotting flesh of other animals.

An animal of rivers and swamps across much of East Africa. During the daytime they usually remain partially submerged to avoid the effects of overheating, sunburn and dehydration. At night time they leave the water to graze, preferring short grassy pastures. They use well-defined pathways from the water to their feeding areas, and during the course of the nights foraging; they may cover a distance of 8-10km. They have been recorded, in isolated cases, feeding on the rotting flesh of other animals. They will usually gather together in herds of 10-50 animals, but during periods of drought densities can increase dramatically to 200 or more. Adults are capable of remaining completely submerged for periods of up to 5 minutes. When giving birth cows will isolate themselves from the herd, remaining alone with their calves for about 6 weeks. Calves are capable of suckling underwater as well as on land.

REPTILES

African Rock Python.

This is the largest of East Africa's snakes, with many records of individuals measuring in excess of 7m. At birth they only measure 60-70cm, reaching sexual maturity at between 2 and 4 years of age. A non-venomous species that kills by constriction, they are usually found in the vicinity of water. They spend most of the daylight hours hidden in dens or lairs. Occasionally they will take prey items as large as gazelle, but normally smaller animals are preferred. All prey is swallowed whole. In captivity they have been known to live for up to 25 years. They are often killed by local people fearing such a large creature, as well as being taken for meat and for their skin.

Agama Lizard

A dominant ale Agama Lizard is one of the most colorful common reptiles in East Africa. The head is bright orange-red and the body colour is vivid blue. Males are very territorial and can usually be found on a prominent rock or tree from where they will engage in bobbing displays to rival males. By contrast to males, females are rather drab, being brownish grey with a variable amount of brighter spots. Agamas are very common over much of East Africa, particularly in rocky areas. They can often be seen scurrying up and down the sheerest rock faces hunting insect prey, which forms the bulk of their diet. They do, however, on occasions take larger prey, including small lizards and small lizards and small toads.

AMPHIBIANS

Sharp Nosed Grass Frog

A frog open savannah and grassland areas as well as being found around human settlements. The body shape is streamlined with a pointed snout and very powerful hind legs, which places this species amongst the most accomplished leapers of all frogs. The sleek body shape facilitates efficient movement through water and through dense vegetation when on land. They feed on a variety of grassland insects. The body colour is olive with irregular dark blotches on the back and flanks. The top of the snout is unmarked, taking the form of a pale triangular patch. A dark line is present along the sides of the snout from the nostril to the eye. The hind legs are marked with faint bands. The body has a series of raised skin ridges, often pale yellow/buff in colour.

Square Marked Toad

The common toad of the region they can often be heard issuing their monotonous croaks throughout the night. A species found in moist savannah areas and in the vicinity of human settlements. A rather plain looking toad with a grayish brown body colour and irregular square blotches of darker brown. A medium sized toad of around 6-9cm in length.

INSECTS

Dung Beetle

A widely distributed group of beetles, found in areas frequently by large by large game animals and , as its name suggests, they spend much of their time searching for animal dung on which they feed. They are round in shape, dark in colour and have short wing covers-their maneuverability in flight is rather poor. Dung Beetles are able to eat more than their own body weight in dung every 24hours, thereby aiding the process of converting manure into substances usable by micro-organisms. At the onset of the breeding season females seek out fresh droppings which they form into a small ball, often rolling it a considerable distance to soft earth where they bury it, having first laid an egg inside. When the egg hatches in its underground tomb the larva will eat the dung ball before pupating. At the onset of the next heavy rains the pupa hatches and makes its way to the surface in search of dung and the whole cycle is repeated.

Africa Giant Millipede

Most millipedes, of which there are many species in Africa, are rather docile, moisture-loving creatures which have the ability to curl into a ball if disturbed. The African Giant Millipede is one of he largest millipedes in the world; growing to lengths of 28cm. they can boast as many as 200 pairs of legs, two pairs to each body ring or segment. Millipedes are to be found throughout much tropical and sub-tropical Africa, usually among moist debris, leaf litter and rotting wood. They are armoured with dorsal plates as a form of defence and many species have the ability to secrete a pungent toxic liquid if attacked. All millipedes are vegetarian, feeding mainly on rotting plant material, but they will occasionally eat living plant matter

TREES AND FLOWERS

Sausage Tree

A widely distributed tree in wet savannah areas and a long water courses at altitudes below 1,850m. A substantial tree growing to a height of about 9m, the flowers are trumpet shaped dull red in colour, about 12cm in length and possess a rather unpleasant smell. The flowers hang on cord-like strings and bloom during the night, falling to the ground during the early morning. The fruits are large and hang on the tree like long sausages, hence its popular name. The fruits are not edible but are used for medicinal purposes in some areas. They reach lengths of 60cm and can wig up to 7kiligrams.

Candelabra Tree

A succulent tree common in some areas of the Rift Valley. A large forest of Candelabra Trees can be found in Lake Nakuru National Park. They grow to a height of 15m. The trunk is short and thick and forms a solid base from which spread a multitude of branches that resemble the shape of Candelabras.

Flame Tree

Originally discovered in Madagascar in the early part of the 19th century, this beautiful tree has since been cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world. Growing to a height of around 15m and flourishing at altitudes below 1,500m, this tree creates a stunning sight when in full flower. The flowers, which appear before the leaves develop, are rich scarlet red and grow in dense clusters. A deciduous tree that sheds its fern-like leaves at the onset of the dry season, having flowered and developed long brown seedpods.

Desert Rose

An indigenous succulent scrub or small tree of dry areas and rocky hillsides throughout much of the region at low altitudes. The trunk and branches have a swollen and stunted appearance and bear very attractive pink flowers about 5cm across. The sap is very toxic and in the past was used by local people to impregnate arrowheads.

Sodom's Apple

There are around 50 species of solanum to be found in East Africa: incanum is very common along roadside verges and on areas of waste ground. It is quick to colonize recently excavated ground. It is a very tough shrub with fearsome spines on the stems and stalks. It bears flowers that are blue to mauve with yellow centres that measure around 15mm across. The fruits tae the form of hard yellow balls with although edible are rather bitter.

About the Author

Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation. 
This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Tourists flights And Viewing of Mammals,Reptiles,Insects,Amphibians,Trees & Flowers & BirdsIn East Africa National Parks & Reserves. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http:// / www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/services/tourist-flights.html

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