This month, we’re pleased to highlight the interconnectedness of education, empowerment, and conservation. From the opening of a new dormitory in the Mara and impactful health outreach clinics in Mugie, to the environmental education efforts of Children in the Wilderness and the protection of vital ecosystems like the Eburru Forest. We also celebrate the power of art in conservation with the recently relaunched “Greatest Wildlife Photographer – Kenya” competition, and the preservation of traditional practices.
The newly rebranded “Greatest Wildlife Photographer—Kenya” competition, supported by Governors’ Mugie, champions the nation’s diverse wildlife and landscapes while raising crucial funds for conservation efforts. This initiative allows photographers to directly support vital organisations like the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust and the Mara Elephant Project, reinforcing the link between art and environmental protection.
Golden Grass – photo credit Dan Palmer
Adding to the excitement, two former Governors’ Camp collection in-house photographers, Dan Palmer and Frankie Adamson, achieved recognition with their stunning images in the competition’s initial “Top 10 Finalists” in January. Dan’s “Golden Grass” captures the serene beauty of a serval in the Mara’s golden light. At the same time, Frankie’s “Kiss of Death” vividly portrays the raw intensity of hyenas at a hippo carcass. Each image demonstrates exceptional skill and a deep, special connection to Kenya.
Kiss of Death – photo credit Frankie Adamson
Across Africa, lion populations face mounting pressure from human-wildlife conflict as human expansion shrinks their natural habitats. In the Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem, the Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) addresses this critical issue by actively supporting community-led solutions.
A Lion Ambassador – photo credit Kenya Wildlife Trust
To help promote peaceful coexistence, MPCP employs twenty Lion Ambassadors, residents positioned in human-wildlife conflict hotspots. These individuals serve as vital liaisons, reporting incidents, responding to conflicts, and educating community members on effective herding practices, bridging the gap between wildlife conservation and local livelihoods. As part of our support of MPCP, we funded two LA salaries in January.
The Eburru Forest, a critical water source for Lake Naivasha, has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent years thanks to the collaborative efforts of several organisations.
View across Lake Naivasha from Eburru Forest – photo credit Alisa Karstad.
Recent encouraging wildlife sightings are signalling a positive trend for the ecosystem. These have included increasing populations of Mau Forest guereza colobus monkeys, leopards, bushpigs, and buffaloes and reported sightings of the critically endangered mountain bongo antelope (which have yet to be verified on camera).
Mau forest guereza colobus monkey – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Tacazze sunbird – photo credit Alisa Karstad
We continue our commitment to the forest’s health by funding the planting of indigenous tree saplings. So far, we have financed the purchase of over 2,800 seedlings through our grassroots partner organisation, Eburru Rafiki. Such efforts enhance the forest’s resilience and water security role.
Winny Cherotich is a ranger working within Eburru Forest – photo credit Felix Rome
For nature lovers, the well-maintained hiking trails offer easy access to the forest. Certified guides and rangers are available to ensure a safe and enriching experience, making it a worthwhile visit for guests of Loldia House.
Guests at Loldia House can also experience the ancient art of honey harvesting in the Eburru Forest, a unique activity. Accompanied by Maseto and his sons, skilled apiarists from the local community, guests trek into the heart of the Afromontane forest, where hives hang suspended from the moss-laden branches of towering Hagenia trees.
Maseto, a local beekeeper, owns hundreds of hives in the forest – photo credit Felix Rome.
The process begins with a remarkable demonstration of skill: creating a smouldering fire, not with modern tools but with the age-old technique of rubbing two distinct sticks together, coaxing a spark into life. This spark ignites a clump of Old Man’s beard lichen, producing a gentle, smoky haze.
Making fire – photo credit Felix Rome
With a practised calm, they blow the smoke into the hive, pacifying the bees before carefully opening the log.
Smoking the bees – photo credit Felix Rome
The exposed honeycombs are then meticulously removed. The hive is then carefully resealed and hoisted back into the air, ensuring the bees can continue using it. This intimate encounter with traditional practices offers a profound connection to the forest and its historical inhabitants, revealing the Ogiek community’s deep respect for its natural environment.
Forest honey in the comb – photo credit- Felix Rome
Loldia House proudly supports alternative livelihood creation by purchasing honey from the Eburru Natural Forest Honey Co-operative. With support from Rhino Ark and the National Beekeepers Institute, this recently established initiative empowers local beekeepers to sustainably earn a living from the forest.
The Eburru Natural Forest Honey Co-operative – photo credit Felix Rome
The cooperative purchased 3.5 tonnes of honey last year (more than one ton of which came directly from Maseto’s hives). The pure, processed honey is available for purchase from the small shop front. It serves as a lovely reminder of this unique experience, its rich flavour a testament to the forest’s bounty and the community’s enduring traditions. Loldia House uses Eburru Forest honey in meals and serves it on guest breakfast tables.
The honey is available for purchase directly from the co-operative – photo credit Felix Rome.
This vital 200 km² conservation area in Laikipia protects a diverse range of species and promotes sustainable development through a modern conservation model.
Plains zebra – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Cheetah brothers on Mugie Conservancy- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Home to around 65 lions, the conservancy is working to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Through a collaboration with Lion Landscapes, KWS, and WRTI, they have fitted GPS collars on seven lions and one cheetah, enabling real-time tracking and proactive herder alerts, thus minimising potential conflicts.
This initiative safeguards livestock from lions and provides valuable data on predator behaviour and territory/home ranges, which is crucial for the long-term protection of these species. Governors’ Mugie guests can participate in predator tracking, gaining firsthand experience of the conservancy’s conservation efforts and the remarkable wildlife it protects.
On January 14th, Mara Rianda Primary School celebrated opening a 64-bed boys’ dormitory, complete with modern bathroom facilities, thanks to the Mara Rianda Charitable Trust and a generous donor. This significant improvement in the lives of Maasai Mara children marks the occasion. Traditional Masai choir performances, tree-planting ceremonies, and heartfelt speeches highlighted the community’s immense gratitude while acknowledging its impressive academic achievement as the top primary school in Narok County despite its limited resources.
You can learn more about this and their work in the region by reading their most recent Newsletter.
The new dormitory, ablution block and the refurbished existing dormitory – photo credit Nigel Hollingsworth
The conservancy team runs Suguta Mugie School’s Healthy Kids sessions each week and aims to enhance well-rounded student development. Beginning with etiquette and respect sessions in January, the classes emphasised polite communication and online safety while connecting these values to the school’s unique ecosystem.
Suguta Mugie Primary School Healthy Kids Sessions
In early February, they focused on emotional well-being, building self-esteem through self-kindness and emotional awareness, which was reinforced by James Clear’s emphasis on the power of presence during difficult times. In mid-February, a debate on waste disposal versus tree planting engaged the students, promoting critical thinking and environmental responsibility, culminating in practical action plans for a healthier school and community.
Our EcoClubs across the region continue actively engaging the member children in environmental stewardship and skill-building. TAFA Community Centre kicked off in February by tackling plastic waste, launching a collection campaign, and teaching children to create eco-bricks to construct a lasting structure from recycled materials.
TAFA Community Centre EcoClub – photo credit James Githuku
Meanwhile, Suguta Primary School and Mara Rianda Primary School‘s EcoClub focused on “No Littering” through hands-on clean-up activities within their school grounds. They emphasised the crucial role of effective communication. These initiatives highlight their respective clubs’ commitment to fostering environmental awareness and practical skills, empowering children to become responsible stewards of their communities and ecosystems. Suguta’s EcoClub also carried out tree studies and delved into the world of living and non-living organisms.
Living and non-living Lesson – photo credit Mugie Conservancy
Suguta Mugie EcoClub in action
Alisa Karstad (Impact Manager) and Sharon Muthoni (CITW Community Coordinator) were fortunate to travel to Zimbabwe to understand better the particulars of running a Wilderness EcoCamp.
The CITW Zambezi EcoCamp was held at Wilderness Linkwasha Camp – photo credits Alisa Karstad.
The camp was themed Mammals and provided insights on effective thematic teaching, camper recognition, hygiene practices, and property management. Sharon also benefited from the Eco Mentor training, which followed the kids’ camp. They also had time to visit local schools and the newly launched Ngamo Livestock Farm and Vocational Centre.
Sharon (left) and Alisa (right) benefitted from their time in Zimbabwe with their CITW colleagues from other regions – photo credit Alisa Karstad.
It was an excellent opportunity to connect with and learn from CITW teams from other regions, particularly the Zambezi team. Both found the experience incredibly valuable and were inspired to take our CITW Kenya program to greater heights this year.
Two different communities recently benefited from Mugie Conservancy’s medical outreach program. These collaborative efforts aim to address prevalent health concerns in the region and demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the community’s well-being.
Medical Outreach Clinic – photo credit Mugie Conservancy
In January, 76 young children from the Ntabas community received deworming medication at the ECDE centre, and 147 other residents received medical consultations and essential health education.
In February, the conservancy team extended similar support to the Kanampio Community, providing healthcare to 157 residents and crucial deworming and sanitation education to 100 ECDE pupils. This particular initiative went beyond giving basic medical care, as it also incorporated a village clean-up to promote long-term health.
Our Governors’ Mugie team is always happy to lend a helping hand during these events, improving our community neighbours’ health. We have sponsored such clinics every second month, and starting in March 2025, we will increase this valuable support by including a monthly clinic.
A medical outreach clinic – photo credit Dan Palmer
Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts, positively impacting the people and the land.
By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection. If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at info@governorscamp.com
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