Colours Of Magadi
Lake Magadi is the southernmost lake in the Rift Valley in Kenya.
We had heard of the beauty of this lake over the last couple of years and had seen some stunning photographs by Gurcharan Roopra, a Kenyan photographer. On our latest visit to the country, we decided to sign up with him to do a photo safari of this lake. From up above – a helicopter ride, with Peter Achammer piloting us. It was a relatively small, 4 seater, machine. The experience of the ride itself was worth the price. As we flew over the Ngong Hills, there were moments when we were certain that we could actually touch those hills. It took us about half an hour from Nairobi to Magadi.
We spent the next 60 mins flying over the lake and getting the most amazing views and perspectives. The sense of vastness of land and sky were indescribable. We invite you to enjoy the beauty of this lake through our photographs. We recommend you click on each of the pictures to view them on fill screen!
About 100 square kilometres in size, this lake is a highly saline, alkaline lake. It is mainly recharged by saline hot springs. Though the lake is in the catchment are, the water evaporates quickly leavinga dry bed and vast salt pans. The environment is harsh and offers very little in terms of wildlife. Some microorganisms, some invertebrates, some highly adapted fish, beetles and birds dominate the lake.
The colours on the lake change continuously as the sun rises higher. Rusty oranges speckled with white flamingos …
… gives way to vivid greens!
Flamingos taking off in a flurry of wings and splashes of water …
Flamingos gliding over the vapour rising from the hot springs …
With the change in seasons, parts of the lake are dry – brown sand bars are interspersed with rivulets that reflect the beautiful blue sky.
The flamingos fly in effortless unision.
The textures of the drying lake bed are as fascinating as the colours.
Along the shoreline the colours and textures come together to form incredible patterns.
Beautiful vistas …
… stunning scenes …
It then goes into the realms of the surreal!
Is this a lake or a glimpse of outer space?
As we fly one last time around the lake, the flamingos come together – a perfect formation to articulate what we feel – a place we have fallen in love with. A place we definitely want to return to as soon as possible.
If the glimpse of what an aerial safari offers has captured your imagination, do browse through Gurcharan’s website and contact him to organise this unique adventure!
Beautifully written with excellent shots….
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Thank you.
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Each of the images is a Haiku!
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Thank you!
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Amazing pictures! Can’t believe we are on planet earth! Surreal!
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Thank you!
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Awesome experience in tune with you guys. It is a bliss to experience such splendour that we sometimes feel nature has already sprung on us and then bam! We are hit with this……. Thru and thru stupendous …….👌
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It was stupendous!
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Thanks for the enjoyable FREE SAFARI of Magadi lake. While most of the photos were very nice I enjoyed the Flamingos over the lake and the pattern generated by the landing Flamingos. What a beauty.
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Thank you!
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Wow !!!!!!!! Swati , Your pics have captured the spectacular lake in its full glory !!! Thanks for sharing . Am sure being there would have been an out of the world experience. Look forward to your picture book one day !
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Thank you! You should do this too! It was such fun!
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Excellent post Swati ❤️
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Thank you!
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Great pics of the lake and it’s different hues at various times of the day and season.Also the write up is very interesting for one who has not been to Africa.Enjoyed your easy narration.Thank you.
Nirmala Setlur
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Thank you Aunty!
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