Kenya turns pink and presents one of Nature's spectacles. As has been the case for a few years now, the migration of flamingos does not only affect the lakes of the Rift Valley, such as Baringo and Nakuru, but also the small Elmenteita, but also the coast, with hundreds of beautiful 'flamingos' at the mouths of the Sabaki River, a few kilometres from Malindi, and Tana, between Malindi and Lamu.
After the change of season and the winter monsoon wind 'Kuzi', the mouth of the Sabaki River is filled with rare, colourful and beautiful tropical birds.
The spectacle attracts bird enthusiasts from all over the world every year, who arrive armed with monocles and cameras with their tripods.
International scholars are also increasingly talking about it, and tourists are also discovering it, thanks to special excursions.
The Sabaki River estuary, a veritable 'bird watching' paradise on the Kenyan coast, can boast many species of birds, some visible almost exclusively in these parts, such as the sea partridge, or pratincola, as well as some species of seagulls (Sooty Gull) but especially the Tern.
Kenyan scientist Fleur Ng'weno, who has charted all the bird species found along the latter part of the Sabaki's course, claims that more than 50 per cent of the terns found throughout Kenya live here.
The rare Long-tailed Tern, the Indian Tern and seven other of the thirteen species.
The Madagascar pratincola arrives these days, and stays for the duration of the winter wind.
To see the so-called sea partridge, one must go to the estuary early in the morning, because it is at that time that these beautiful specimens feed, and then go to hide in the trees further inland.
Their flight after 'breakfast' is a splendid picture of Africa.
Clearly, the Sabaki estuary, even though tried by the recent flooding, offers more than just bird watching, but (with the wonderful walk along the beach, directly from the port of Malindi or in front of the Casino, or even from the Oasis, it is recommended to be accompanied, as the beach is no longer as safe as it once was) flamingos and even hippos, as well as an enchanting landscape that, with the backdrop of the endless African sky, makes this excursion a "must" for those spending a holiday in Malindi.