Those of us who have been on safari will know that there is little more important than the quality of the guide that sits alongside you. It is most definitely one part of a journey where mediocrity can very easily dilute an experience. With nominations now open for the World’s Best Guide 2010, I am sure we could all think of a suitable person fit to take this award.  


As the nominations draw to a close, I would like to take a liberty in suggesting that a worthy nominee would be our very own Jackson Looseyia. I suggest him because of his deep commitment to bring to visitors a genuine understanding of his wilderness. He does this through his own special brand of communication and his ever growing army of protégé guides that he has developed to deliver his and their own unique brand of guiding. He is a man whose innate ability has been built on over many years experience, I know this because I was first guided by him when we were both about 15 years of age and continue to be two decades later. Through pure determination he has taken indigenous guiding to a whole new level to become one of Africa’s stars. He does this by combining expert knowledge of flaura and fauna with a passion and commitment and most importantly delivers it in a way we understand. 


If by some chance Jackson were to be your choice you can add your own nomination through the following link www.worldguideawards.com by the 25^th February. From there he is in the hands of the judges. No pressure of course! 


Have a good one won’t you, 

Gordie

 

Up in the forest behind Acacia House lies the Rekero classroom. This fine seat of learning is where we seek to put into practise the nuts and bolts of our ethical policy. It is not just the haunt of conservationists, guides, chefs or waiters but also those addressing the important human needs that surround us. 


There was a low key graduation ceremony here this morning. This particular passing out was of significance because it played an important role in our efforts to work on the female rights amongst the Masai. This is one area that sadly often needs more attention than it gets. This is the second of two ten day computer courses attended by girls from The Tasaru Girls Rescue Centre which provides a safe house and vital education through secondary school for Maasai girls rescued from genital mutilation (FGM) and forced childhood marriage. Despite being illegal, both are still prevalent amongst the 800,000 or so Masai in Kenya. The stories these girls could tell are both shocking and depressing and we must through employment, ongoing education and direct interventions tackle these issues head on. We as an operator are clear that they contribute nothing to the well being of the individuals and their communities.  


This opportunity and all others are made possible directly and indirectly by each and every guest for which we and they are really most grateful. 


Best wishes from me and the team, 


Rainee

 

Thirty years ago a lone young man wandered off the plains of the Masai Mara and asked to speak with my father Ron Beaton. He explained that he was seeking employment from our small family business and was keen to start right away. What was unusual was that this stranger drifting through Masai land was not a Masai but from the Boran tribe and more specifically from the very distant town of Garissa in the north east of Kenya. He carried good references and a fine sense of humour and the combination was enough to secure employment with what is now Rekero. 


Kuno began life with us as a temporary labourer but soon it became clear that this man could turn his hand to almost anything. Three decades later there is something very permanent about our now share holder and head man. He shimmies behind the scenes spending his days and nights doing what he does best; keeping us all on the right track, liaising with the community and keeping the Rekero cogs greased and turning. This is no small task even when the weather is kind to us and perhaps that is why it is said that to actually spot Kuno doing nothing is harder than seeing a leopard. 


So when you are next with us do keep your eyes peeled, our regional man of mystery is well worth the time of day if you are lucky enough to catch him. 


His and my best salaams to you all, 


Gerard  

You will all be familiar with the Big 5 (leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino and elephant). To see all five in a day is quite an achievement for any avid safari-goer and having been lucky enough to have seen this more than once it was time to raise the bar. How about the challenge of seeing five different cats in one day? Impossible you might say, but not so if you have the eagle eyes of Daniel and John along side. Myself, John and Andy Loveland were lucky enough to manage this feat on not one but two separate days.

I can count on one hand the number of caracal sightings I've had over the years, yet we found ourselves in the situation where we could drive five minutes out of camp and find two as if on demand. A mother and cub had taken up residence in a nearby thicket and as if that were not enough, we also had the luxury of spending an hour or so with a very accommodating serval cat in the morning sunshine. With those more unusual ones in the bag the icing on the cake was to see cheetah, leopard and lion. At one point we were able to watch cheetah on one side of the car and caracal on the other! 

I call that a better than average day out! 

My best salaams to you all, 

Rob