The Beauties of the East African Rift Valley
THE BEAUTIES OF THE EAST AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY
The Beauties of the East African Rift Valley : The East African Rift Valley is an active continental zone in East Africa. This natural beauty of East Africa is endowed with a lot of wonderful magic-less activities that you just need to understand and have a better experience. Firstly, let us know the science behind the formation of the East African Rift Valley in a brief. The East African Rift System contains two major distinct rift zones. The great section is called the Ethiopian Rift. The Ethiopian Rift is wider and further along in the rifting process. Various leading scientists believe that the tectonic activity in this region has been going on for a while. It is mainly located in the Afar region of Ethiopia where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden.
The second rift zone is composed of two large rifts that flank the sides of Lake Victoria. These two major rifts together make up what scientists call the East African Rift. The EAR is located in the south of the Ethiopian Rift, extending into Kenya and parts of Tanzania. The Western Branch (also called the “Albertine Rift” due to its proximity to Lake Albert) mostly cuts through the Great Lakes region to the west of Kenya. The Eastern Branch is almost directly across from the Western Branch, cutting straight through Kenya just west of the capital city, Nairobi.
However, the driving force behind the creation of these rift zones is the science of tectonic plates. The Earth’s lithosphere is divided into different tectonic plates that vary in size and are constantly moving, shifting, and grinding against each other. Because these plates are made of hard, rigid crust and they tend to cause catastrophic events when they collide together or drift apart. These events can be tsunamis and earthquakes. The area where two tectonic plates come together is known as the plate boundary. In East Africa, there are two main plates: the African (or Nubian) Plate, and the Arabian Plate, which are separated by a divergent plate boundary. These plates began to move apart a long time ago, forming a large rift valley between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This valley has already filled with water, creating what is known today as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. And that we’re just a short and brief description about the East African rift valley for the better of expanding your knowledge under this world experience.
The Beauties of East African Rift Valley.
Now you have a concept about the East African Rift Valley, let’s explore various beautiful sites found in this valley. Here down are some of such sites;
Lake Manyara. This is situated in the Western escarpment of the Rift Valley. It is home to various aquatic species and pink flamingoes, especially on its shores. This soda lake covers an area of about 230 square kilometers and is found within the Lake Manyara National Park. This park is home to a large population of flamingoes, tree-climbing lions, and the highest concentration of elephants in Tanzania. Hiking, biking tours, and trekking safaris are commonly done in the rift valley escarpment.
Lake Natron. This is another lake in Tanzania which is found in the East African Rift Valley. This is an alkaline lake that is home to flamingoes and other terrestrial animals close to its shores including golden jackal, ostriches, zebras, gerenuks, oryxes, and kudus. At Lake Natron, you can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, camping safari, and cultural tours.
Lake Tanganyika. This is the longest lake in the world situated in the west of Tanzania. It is also found within the East African Rift Valley. It has an approximate length of 673 kilometers. On the shores of this lake, are found the two parks famous for chimpanzee trekking. These are Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Park. Popular activities which can be done in Lake Tanganyika include diving, snorkeling, canoeing, sport fishing, and boat safaris.
Volcanoes. Along the East African Rift Valley in Tanzania, you will meet various active and dormant volcanoes which are very stunning to be observed. These include Empakai, Olmoti and the Oldonyo Lengai. Lengai is the only active volcano in the world releasing carbonatite magma. These volcanoes are tremendous for hiking and trekking safaris.
Activities in East African Rift Valley
There are so many activities you need to know that is taking place along the East African rift valley thus conveying information to different parts of the world about the beauties of the rift. One of the major activities is volcanic activities, you will experience and learn about how does the eruption occurs, some of those volcanoes are very large, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. There are agricultural activities that take place. These activities are facilitated much through irrigation system as on the rift there are water resources, also the environmental condition supports much. You will observe the beauties of the rift that are well decorated by the largest vegetated area with a great green floor. If you need to experience it did about the vegetation of the rift.
Other parks within the East African Rift Valley include; Aberdare National Park which is an exceptional tourist destination that comprising with a variety of wildlife species, mountain ranges, and a cool place to visit. The park is located on the Eastern part of the East African Rift Valley covering the highest areas and the Aberdare Salient to the east that stretches over a wide range of kilometer squares. Activities done include nature walks, game drive, golf, horseback riding safaris and so many all this you will be able to experience all or select the best one for you to enjoy. Best time to go to Aberdare National Park. The best time to go to the park is from January to February and June to September. Something to know is Aberdare National Park belongs to Kenya Wildlife Service a body responsible for all Kenyan national parks.
Aberdare National Park is home to most wildlife species that can be exploited on your visit to the park. Animal species include rare Bongo Antelopes, wild hogs, leopards, elephants, East African wild dogs, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, Cape buffalo, Suni, Side-striped jackal, eland, duiker, Olive baboon, giants forest hog among others. The rarer spotted animals include the African golden cat and the bongo, other species like common eland, serval are seen in the higher moorlands. The park is also popularly known as a home to a large Eastern black rhinoceros. Some famous Bird species to observe in Aberdare national park include Aberdare cisticola, Jackson’s spurfowl, sparrow hawk, African goshawk, African fish eagle, plovers, and sunbirds many more. Furthermore, Aberdare national park is covered by the tree line that provides great arresting viewing of beautiful scenery with its mountainous terrain covered in thick tropical forests in mist.
Some best activities you need to experience at Aberdare National Park include; Game drive viewing in this park is quite rewarding as you can be able to see a number of elephants and buffalo. They can be spotted out in thick and so closed rainforest vegetation. The local occupant is also observed around the waterholes near the accommodated areas. While on your game drive you can visit incredible mountain peaks deep with icy mountain streams by hiking up the high peaks and getting rewarded with amazing as well as touring beautiful waterfalls with a grassland level. Bird watching and photographic safaris are also wonderful experiences you will have at Aberdare National Park.
Aberdare National Park is a famously known Tanzania safari destination as a place where princess Elizabeth of England came to know that she was Queen upon the death of her father during her stay at Treetops Lodge. Since then Treetop lodge has been a famous place of stay with a number of travelers who visit Kenya. So, you will have a chance to visit and have some pictures for future memories.
I would be proud to greatly invite you to plan and have a tour to visit the East African Rift Valley. You will enjoy and gain new world experiences found in the Rift Valley, the science and geography of the volcanos, activities taking place, the beauty of the surrounding area the natural vegetation that decorates the East African Rift Valley. You will also experience the flow of water along rivers, birds watching and besides, you will experience good environments throughout accommodated areas, as they offered quality services to all guests without any exceptional reason.
