We have focused a lot on Safiri Kenya on the amazing wildlife that dots the many national parks, reserves and sanctuaries in Kenya. We have also talked a lot about their uniqueness – even highlighted some that are endemic to a place and spoken of others on the verge of extinction.

But never before have we spoken of the Gawkerbeest despite their prevalence in the wilderness, especially in protected areas. Yet the Gawkerbeest is by no means the most amusing of living things you will come across in your holiday escapades in Kenya.

These not so rare creatures are known to rise early at dawn and start their hunt for their prey either alone or in small groups. They dart to and fro on the numerous parks and reserves seeking out their intended targets.

It has been observed that once one of the Gawkerbeest sights prey, it signals its companions and the others rush from near and far to surround their victim. The surrounded prey stands no chance as the multitude of the Gawkerbeests descends upon it.

According to a post on www.realtravel.com, the Gawkerbeests then start to ooh and ah as they unsheathe their weapons of choice and start to shoot off in rapid succession, a multitude of high resolutions digital photos and HD motion clips.

After feasting themselves sufficiently with that particular animal, these insatiable ‘beests’ then roar off in search of their next intended victim as listed in their guidebooks.

In fact, if you are on a safari in one of the top hot spots in Kenya and you are planning to spot one of the famous Big Five, just look out for the Gawkerbeests – they will lead you to where the action is!

Any good traveller knows that wherever the Gawkerbeests are, there has to be some trophy animal lurking around! If you do not know this, it is not too late to learn that the rule of thumb is wherever a group of Gawkerbeests congregate, there sure is going to be a game of choice to be sighted.

The clamour for the glory and honour of being the first to spot prey is so stiff within the Gawkerbeest colony that there are special medals of honour (or badges as www.realtravel.com calls them) awarded to the Gawkerbeest that draws the others to a first sighting of the prey.

Normally the curtain comes down in the evening when park rules dictate that no Gawkerbeest should be within the confines of the protected areas. That is when all the Gawkerbeests head back to their temporary abodes to feast on the buffets laid out before them and while resting by the swimming pools, they reminisce on the hunt of the day, looking forward to the following morning savouring every moment in the Kenyan wilderness before they head back to Nairobi.

If by now you have not yet figured out what this fascinating creature might be, then here are some more clues to inspire you:

1. They are normally found inside tour vans or SUVs.
2. They tend to carry an assortment of gizmos like digital cameras and high-powered binoculars.
3. Most of them might own a blog where they would post the spoils of the hunt for others to feast on.

Ring a bell yet? Now do tell us when you spot one!