African Animal Waterhole in Nanyuki, Kenya — Online Webcam
Waterhole in the Laikipia Savanna: A Corner of Wild Kenya
This live webcam takes the viewer to the very heart of the Kenyan savanna — to the waterhole at the Mpala Research Centre in the Laikipia region. Here, a few hours' drive from Nairobi, African nature exists by its own rules: animals come to the water day and night, and the camera with infrared illumination allows you to observe them even in complete darkness.
Nanyuki — a small town northwest of Mount Kenya (5,199 m — the second highest peak in Africa) — serves as the main gateway to this territory. Founded in 1907 by British settlers, it has become a base camp for researchers, conservationists, and travelers seeking to see wild Africa in its pristine form.
Who Comes to the Waterhole: From Elephants to Leopards
The waterhole at Mpala is a magnet for savanna wildlife. The live camera shows hippos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, various species of antelopes, Grévy's zebras, gazelles, crocodiles, and leopards approaching the water. Each species has its own habits: elephants often come in family groups at dawn, zebras stay in herds in open areas, and giraffes cautiously approach the water, stretching their necks.
Special attention should be given to Grévy's zebras — an endangered species found only in Kenya and Ethiopia. Their narrow stripes and large rounded ears distinguish them from common Burchell's zebras. The Mpala area is home to about 7,000 elephants and the 4th largest population of African wild dogs in the world — these rare predators can sometimes be seen at the waterhole in the morning hours.
Predators also visit the waterhole. Leopards, hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs are observed at the Mpala waterhole. At night, when the camera switches to infrared mode, you can witness a hunt or simply see cautious predators drinking water while looking around.
Night Life of the Savanna: What the Infrared Camera Shows
When darkness falls over Laikipia, the webcam switches to night vision mode. Infrared illumination turns the picture into a black-and-white image, but this doesn't prevent you from seeing the main thing — the nocturnal activity of animals. It is after sunset that the most cautious inhabitants of the savanna come to the waterhole: leopards, owls, nocturnal antelopes, and even rhinos (if you're lucky).
The infrared mode works automatically — as soon as the light level drops below a certain threshold, the camera switches to IR illumination. Viewers see open terrain with tall grass in the foreground, illuminated by invisible light. The background remains in darkness, creating the atmosphere of mystery of a real African night.
Mpala Research Centre: Science and Conservation
The waterhole is located on the territory of Mpala Research Centre — an ecological laboratory occupying 48,000 acres (about 194 km²) of savanna. This is not just a reserve, but a full-fledged research station where scientists from around the world study elephant behavior, predator population dynamics, and the impact of climate change on the savanna ecosystem.
The centre collaborates with Princeton University, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and international environmental organizations. The webcam at the waterhole is part of Mpala's educational mission: it allows students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts to observe animals without interfering with their natural habitat.
Nanyuki and Mount Kenya: Geography of the Region
Nanyuki serves as the main gateway to Mount Kenya National Park, the Laikipia Plateau, and several protected wildlife areas. The town is located on the equator, but thanks to its altitude (about 1,900 m above sea level), the climate here is comfortable — neither hot nor cold.
Laikipia is a vast plateau between Mount Kenya and the Rift Valley. Here, private ranches, communal lands, and protected areas combine to create a unique corridor for elephant migration and other large mammals. The waterhole at Mpala is one of the key points of this corridor.
Seasonality and Animal Schedule
Animal activity at the waterhole varies depending on the time of day and season. During the dry season (June-October and January-February), the waterhole becomes a center of attraction — other water sources dry up, and animals concentrate here. At this time, the live camera shows a real gathering: elephants, zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes line up for water.
The wet season (March-May and November-December) disperses animals across the territory — they can drink from temporary water bodies. But even during the rainy season, the waterhole at Mpala never empties: there is always permanent water here, attracting hippos and crocodiles.
By time of day (EAT time zone, UTC+3): the best time for observation is early morning (6:00-9:00) and evening (16:00-19:00). At night, when the camera operates in infrared mode, you can see leopards, hyenas, and other nocturnal predators.
What You Can See on the Camera
The webcam is positioned with a view of open terrain with tall grass — typical Laikipia savanna landscape. In the foreground, grassy vegetation is visible, behind which the waterhole itself is located. The background fades into darkness (at night) or savanna haze (during the day).
The camera operates 24/7. During the day, the image is in color; at night, it's black and white thanks to infrared illumination. Viewers can watch elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, antelopes, and other inhabitants of the African savanna approach the water. Sometimes predators appear at the waterhole — leopards or hyenas.
This live camera is a window into the wild nature of Kenya, accessible from anywhere in the world. Observing the waterhole in real time allows you to see what is usually hidden from tourists: the natural behavior of animals without human presence, the nightlife of the savanna, and the daily struggle for survival in the African wilderness.
