Dark Tortoise

Dark Tortoise

Charter & Scheduled Flights Malindi|Mombasa|Kiwayu|Lamu|Ukunda On The Coastal Strip Of Indian Ocean In Kenya

Kenya has 8 provinces of which Coast province is one of them with its headquarters based in Mombasa which covers Taveta, Mombasa, Ukunda (Diani) in South Coast and Mombasa and Malindi in North Coast, Lamu, Tana upto Kiunga.

Coast Province is one of the tourist attraction destination in East Africa due to the beaches and  the environment which is all through hot and with salty water.Malindi has been the favorite tourists destination for Italians who have even settled their and invested in tourism industry by building cottages, hotels ,casinos and bought land. In Malindi we have the Watamu town, Kenya Wildlife Service snake marine park, Tana Delta River where you will find crocodiles. In South Coast you will find the Wazini Island, Funzi Island and the Kipepeo wildlife the butterflies' park. In Lamu we have Manda Island, Kiwayu and Kiunga and most you will use the steam boat to cross to Lamu town. In Lamu you will find all the Swahili culture and tradition including shells, palm trees, coconut trees among others. We have luxurious five; four and three star hotels and even budget as well as cottages, apartments for rental depending with your duration of stay.

We have both scheduled & charter flights from Nairobi and Mombasa to Lamu, Ukunda, Lamu, Kiwayu, and Malindi.There are two scheduled flights daily to Lamu,Kiwayu,Malindi which air tickets are sold subject on availability as there is high demand and reservations is done in advance. For Last minute bookings you might be waitlisted or forced to hire a private charter. To and from Mombasa there are daily flights about ten flights out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and one flight daily out of Wilson Airport. To lamu we have 2 flights daily out of Jomo Kenyatta and 2 flights daily out of Wilson airport. To Kiwayu there are two flights daily out of Wilson airport and these flights might route via Lamu, Malindi depending with the loads. Flights to and from Ukunda (Diani) operated twice daily out of Wilson Airport for those traveling to South Coast,Wazini Island,Funzi Island and the Kipepeo butterflies park. You can charter a private flight from Mombasa to Lamu, Malindi, and Kiwayu as there are no scheduled flights. Also you can get scheduled flights out of Mombasa to Masai Mara, Entebbe, Daresaalam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport, and Wilson Airport. There are air taxis from Malindi, Lamu, Kiwayu, and Ukunda to Mombasa and you will be able to do a sightseeing and scenic of the coast strip in flight. Using this air taxi of 3 and 5 seater you can do aerial survey & photography, filming flights as the pilots are very experienced and will ensure you get what you want and will point the features for you to be able to take photographs. The 18 seater Let 410 is available for groups. Since there are no scheduled flights from Lamu, Kiwayu to Masai Mara you will either have to fly on scheduled to Nairobi or charter a plane to Mombasa for your connecting flight to Masai Mara.

At the Malindi snake marine park you will be able to see different species of snake and in Lamu,Mombasa,Ukunda,Kiwayu you will see palm trees, coconut trees, snails ,tortoise, crocodiles and below find the description of the snakes, trees found on the coastal and on Islands  along the Indian Ocean.

Snakes.

They are nine species of snakes as follows,

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 constrction, they are usually found in the vicinity of water. They spend most of the daylight hours hidden in dens or liars.Ocassionally 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.

Brown House Snake.

A common snake over much of the region, found in grassland areas, scrub and thickets and on areas of rocky ground as well as in the vicinity of human settlements where they benefit the inhabitants by reducing rodent populations. They are usually reddish brown in colour but darker individuals do occur. They have a faint pale stripe extending above and below the eye which is a good identification guide. Measuring up to a metre in length they are mainly nocturnal, hunting small mammals.

Black Mamba.

One of the most feared of East Africa's snakes, its venom is one of the most virulent nerve poisons known to exist. Human victims have been known to die within 15 minutes of being bitten. An extremely agile snake, capable of moving at almost 20 km/h.They often move with the head and neck held high above the ground. Surprisingly Black Mambas are not black in colour, but range from pale gunmetal grey to brown and olive green. They can grow up to 3.5m in length and usually reside in termite mounds, abandoned porcupine holes and cavities in hollow trees and among rocks. Mainly diurnal in habits they are equally at home on the ground or in trees where they prey on mammals and birds.

Eastern Green Mamba.

Like its close relative the Black Mamba this species is extremely venomous. A snake of forests and thickets where their bright green body colouration provides excellent camouflage. Smaller than the Black Mamba this species rarely attains 2.5m in length. Mainly arboreal in habits the Green Mamba feeds on birds, their nestlings and small mammals including bats. Green Mambas have been found in large concentrations in some areas, up to five being noted in a single tree.

Boomslag

One of the most widespread of Africa's tree snakes, being found in most types of wooded habitats. The Bomslang has the largest eyes, in relation to head size, of any snake species. Adults can measure up to 2m in length. Colouration is very variable, both between the sexes and from region to region. Adult's females are generally olive or brown, while adults' males may range from brown, black, bright green and red to pale blue. Active throughout much of the day this arboreal species drifts slowly through bushes and trees in search of prey such as chameleons, birds, small mammals and frogs. Having initially gripped its prey the Boomslang adopts a chewing motion to work venom into the victim via large rear fangs. Bites to humans are rare but can prove fatal.

Forest Cobra

A venomous species associated with forests and woodlands usually close to water. They are very much at home in water being expert swimmers; they will occasionally catch fish as well as reptile and amphibians. They will also prey on small birds and mammals. There are two colour phases, one has the upper parts dark brown and is usually found in coastal regions and the other phase is black. Both  have underside pale yellow which, in most instances, spreads on to the lower portion of the dark head forming a series of light and dark stripes. This species is not normally aggressive unless persistently interfered with.

Puff Adder

The Puff Adder is the most widely distributed of East Africa's vipers, being found in savannah and woodland habitats below 3,500m.They can measure up to 2m in length, but it is the girth of up to 30cm of this and other vipers, that makes for easy identification. They have an angular head shape and a heavy broad body the colour of which is a mosaic of buffs, browns, and blacks that afford tremendous camouflage when they are at rest in leaf litter.  A very venomous species that feeds on small mammals, birds, amphibians, lizards and other snake species.

Gaboon Viper

The largest of Africa's vipers, some individuals growing in excess of 2m and weighing in the region of 8.5 kilos.  An inhabitant of tropical forests the body colouration takes the form of a geometric pattern of browns, buffs and purples and, like other vipers, this pattern results in wonderful camouflage when set against the leaf litter of the forest floor. The large, wide, triangular head is light in colour with a dark line running down the centre.  A small pair of horns is visible on the tip of the snout. They feed mainly by ambush, taking mostly small rodents, birds and amphibians.

Rhinoceros Viper

A species found mainly in wet forest habitats and, like the Puff Adder, a very broad bodied species. As its name implies this species is distinguished by having horns above each nostril. The body colouration is a random pattern of buffs, browns, greens, yellows and blacks that provide excellent camouflage, as they lie motionless by the sides of paths and trails from where they ambush unsuspecting prey species. This mode of hunting makes big vipers quite dangerous to humans, unlike most snakes these species will not move away at your approach. A last second his is often all you get by way of warning before you tread on one. Being extremely venomous this is best avoided.

Nile crocodile.

A Species that hardly requires a detailed description, being found in rivers and lakes over much of the region. They can grow to over 6m in length. The Nile crocodile, being mainly nocturnal, spends much of the day submerged in water between bouts of basking on sand bars and riverbanks. They are highly adapted predators feeding on water dwelling creatures as well as land based mammals which they capture by lying motionless at the edge of water holes, or by floating like a drifting log until they are within striking distance. Females lay hard-shelled eggs in a bank side nest which they guard jealously to protect the eggs from predators. When the young are ready to emerge they utter squeaking noises which stimulates the female to open up the nest and help the young into the water, often by carrying them in her mouth. The young at this stage are about 30cm in length and are able to fend for themselves immediately, feeding in shallows on insects, tadpoles, frogs and fish, but at all times keeping themselves hidden from possible predators. They grow at a rate of about 30cm a year during the first few years of life, the rate of growth decreases in later years to a matter of centimeter of two. Not a great deal is known about the longevity of Nile Crocodile in the wild, but it has been suggested that full grown specimens of 6m or so are probably in the region of a hundred years old. Males do not become sexually active until they have grown to around 3m in length.

Leopard Tortoise

The Leopard Tortoise, the largest tortoise in Africa, derives its name from the black and yellow carapace, which resembles the pattern of a leopard's coat. They are widely distributed over much of the region south of the Sahara, being encountered mainly in grassland areas. They can grow  to weights in excess of 28kilos.They are long lived, fifty years having been recorded in captivity, and lay eggs in an excavated hole about 25cm in depth. Having covered the eggs with soil the female then abandons the site ,the eggs hatching 12-14 months later, the young being totally independent. They feed on a wide variety of vegetation and will often travel great distances in search of food. They are active throughout the day but generally avoid the hot midday period and during the hot summer months they may even enter a state of dormancy.

African Land Snail

A very large snail, with average shell length of around 10cm, but specimens with 20cm shells have been recorded. They are hermaphrodites (i.e. they are both male and female), this does not mean that they can mate with themselves-they still require a partner.However, one single mating is all that is needed for the production of a number of batches of eggs, which can be laid over a period of months. Eggs are laid in batches of 100-400, are spherical and measure on average 5mm in diameter. Under favorable conditions they will hatch within 1-3 months .Newly emerged snail's measure only 4mm, but they grow rapidly and reach maturity after 6-9 months, depending on food availability and climatic conditions. They eat all manner of vegetation.

There are three species of palm tree as follows;

Date Palm

Common throughout much of the region in the hotter drier areas, usually to be found along the banks of streams and rivers. Arab traders first introduced the Date Palm to the region as a source of food. Growing to a height of 20-50m, the slender trunk is crowned with 30-40pinnate leaves up to 4m in length. There are in the region of 40 different cultivated varieties of Date Palm throughout the tropics, the fruits of which ripen at different times of the year. The leaves are used in the production of baskets and mats.

Doum Palm

One of the easiest palms to identify, being the only one having branches which divide regularly into two. They often reach heights in excess of 15m.The fruit is orange/brown in colour and about 8cm long. It is not edible by humans but is eaten by elephants that are, to a great extent, responsible for seed dispersal. The leaves of the Doum Palm are used in the weaving of baskets and mats.

Coconut Palm

Some mystery still surrounds the original home of this species, but it is assumed by many to have drifted on ocean currents from South America to colonize the African shores. Growing to a height of a round 30m, the slender trunk is usually swollen at the base and is crowned with 20-30 pinnate leaves reaching up to 6m in length. Restricted in distribution to coastal regions the Coconut Palm is extremely salt tolerant and can live for up to 100 years, producing 50-80 fruits each year. The fruiting nut provides a valuable source of food and drink in some areas as well as the outer husk fibres providing material for rope making, matting and house thatching.

The Coastal region is a tourist's destination and it has a good wildlife of mammals, reptiles, insects, flowers and trees and amphibians which they can view. They can do boat riding, birding, filming, aerial survey photography safaris. There also world class hotels which are operated by chain of hotels who have qualified personnel with the required skills in hospitality industry.

 

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 Charter & Scheduled Flights Malindi|Lamu|Kiwayu|Mombasa|Ukunda In Kenya Coastal Region. 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/charter-flights.html

 

Dark tortoise shell cat