This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
It’s been a while but we’re back on track. Rose our MD has been out in Zambia seeking out wonderful and new properties to whet your appetite. Whilst she has been away, we thought it would be a great idea to let you know what has been happening within Kenya’s Reserves during the last month.
The rare Grevy’s Zebra has seen a marked increase in population. It has now boomed to a population of 2,812 which is fantastic news for conservationists all over. There has also been a marked increase in the population of Reticulated Giraffe in Northern Kenya as well. There was a photographic census taken recently that saw 143 vehicles covering an expanse of 25,000km squared with over 49,000 photographs taken in total by 212 photographers and the results were staggering and fantastic. To see populations beginning to boom is fantastic news and evidence that all the conservation efforts that go into it all is most definitely worth it.
You may not have heard of the truly heart breaking and devastating loss of Sudan, one of the most famous northern white Rhinos throughout the world sadly passed away this year. Conservationist, scientists and philanthropists far and wide have been working both night and day to save this extremely endangered species from extinction. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy are doing wonders to help save the species and are welcoming scientists in to harvest eggs from Fatu and Najin (Sudan’s offspring) to help bring this wonderful and symbolic species back from the brink.
Along the same lines of conservation and protecting endangered species, the Retiti Elephant Sanctuary are opening their doors to guests, where you can see first-hand the involvement of the community in this first community run Elephant Sanctuary within Africa. Operating day and night (of course) and run by the wonderful local Samburu Rangers who are working tirelessly in raising elephant orphans so that they can then release them back into the wild where they belong. The human, animal conflict has been a huge problem when it comes to protecting endangered species and with the involvement of the community, who are helping protect, raise and release these elephant orphans, it is turning the tables on this conflict and now nature is being nurtured by the local community and working together to protect, in the long term, everything!
Rwanda has also had its 14thannual Kwita Izina Festival which will include many community projects delivering housing, mobile clinics and solar power to selected communities living side by side with wildlife and conservation areas. On September 7ththe 23 baby gorillas born this year will be named – rangers and gorilla trackers base the suggested names on the gorilla’s behaviour and personality.
And last but by no means least, Elewana, has launched their very own FGASA Certified guide apprentice program. Led by Criag McFarlane, head of guide training for the prestigious Elewana Collection. The first fourteen candidates have already begun their two-year program. The Eight Kenyan and six Tanzanian candidates will work towards FGASA level 2 certification and advance birding, tracking, people skills, botany and rifle handling in order to become the next generation of the top elite guides trained to the very best and highest standard.
So, all in all, not much achieved in 2018 really….!