|
Newsletter - 4th November 2009 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Gerard, Rainee & Jackson
|
|
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 10:20 |
|
One thing about Halloween here in the bush is that we are on the whole spared the charms of ‘trick or treat’. We might avoid the rampaging groups of children and their tricks (if not the monkeys) but we do get more than our fair share of treats all year round.
It is very fitting that this Halloween week has brought us one of the best ‘treats’ ever. It is not related directly to our wildlife but more to the wonderful collection of people with whom we work. We recently received news that we had been nominated and then subsequently shortlisted for a Virgin Responsible Travel Award in the category of Poverty Reduction. The winner will be announced a week from today on World Responsible Tourism Day and there could be no better accolade as far as we are all concerned. It is wonderful that after more than two decades of work this small team and the communities with whom we are partnered have been recognised for their achievements. We are far from finished but do take this milestone as perhaps the end of the beginning.
So with the spookiness of Halloween hanging over us, this year has been all about treats and through this we are inspired for the road ahead. We send our collective thanks to you all for your support for it is ultimately our guests that have made these achievements possible.
Our best salaams
Gerard, Rainee & Jackson
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 November 2009 10:21 |
|
|
Newsletter - 28th October 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Gerard
|
|
Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:12 |
|
It has been a long night and the dawn came with a bump. I should know by now that the end of the dry spell brings out the worst in our resident animals. It all began yesterday afternoon with the baboons who stole some toothpaste and insecticide spray from the end tent. We managed to recover the stolen goods and drive the villains back into the bush allowing things to settle down. Shortly after dinner, as we had all slipped into a deep sleep, the elephants decided to let themselves into the kitchen tent. As you can imagine this is not good news from Martins (head chef) perspective. Just as I rallied myself to go and gently remind them of who is the boss, the four resident buffaloes decided to pay a courtesy call on my tent. The Brigadier, Major, Sergeant and Corporal spent the rest of the night rubbing their heads against the canvass keeping me firmly pinned down at the wrong end of camp.
The resulting lack of sleep meant I was not quick enough to get to my morning tea before the Yellow Vented Bulbuls had trashed the entire tray. So it was with a big breath of patience that I set out to face the day. I was surprised and relieved to find that all the guest tents that lie between the buffaloes and the elephants had been left in peace. What is more, the larder raiders had only made off with a light snack. So between them they might have some manners after all and the day is looking a whole lot brighter.
My sleepy salaams to you all, Gerard |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:13 |
|
Newsletter - 21st October 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Gordie
|
|
Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:08 |
|
With rain at last circling around most of Kenya, Dudu may have been a bit premature in waving goodbye to the migration last week, as they have done a mini loop right back to camp. There are still some river crossings and there appears to be an overall reluctance to leave these fine plains. I can understand that resistance because we all suffer a similar urge to stay here when the time comes to head home. However the fundamental difference between them and us is that we have much less to fear from what lurks in the luggas and in the long grass.
Salaash, who was bringing an incoming group of guests from the airstrip to camp this week managed to take in a leopard, cheetah and lion in the fifteen minute drive. All this he achieved while introducing himself, learning more about the guests, and of course doing the driving. Although this was going to present Salaash with the challenge of having started with the bar too high, it was going to present the nearby wildebeest with a far more serious problem. To me, and I know nothing of this kind of thing, perhaps both Salaash and the wildebeest would do themselves a favour by moving a bit faster and thereby avoiding, at least in the very short term, our hungry friends in the grass.
Then again, we all know that is not going to happen at least where these fine guides are concerned and that is why they are the best and I am not. As for the wildebeest who knows what they think...
Have a good one won’t you,
Gordie
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:09 |
|
Newsletter - 14th October |
|
|
|
|
Written by Dudu
|
|
Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:04 |
|
We knew it would be a good one but it really has passed all expectations and now we are able to reflect on three whole months of wildebeest action.
Out on the plains the guides and guests have been able to ‘top trump’ each other on a daily basis with extraordinary sightings. While back here at camp even those of us who have been more sloth like have not missed out. The Rekero crossing has never been so busy and we have been able to view much of it from the comfort of camp chairs. Even in these last few days we have see big crossings from this side of the Talek river to the other, but now down from thousands to hundreds. What we see now are mainly just the stragglers. Once on the other side they have been heading in a determined way southwards towards the border. With the lack of rainfall here until today it means that Tanzania is where they will now almost certainly stay as they start the long trek south towards Ndutu for calving early in 2010. So it is with some relief that I say that is our lot for now, but will be happy to think of the herd turning back north towards us sometime in January.
In the meantime to our east in the Loita Hills, a whole new migration will start arriving at Acacia House early next year. So in preparation for that and of course the festive season ahead, both Jono and I will take a break, but the camp and homes remain as busy as ever. Thank you to all who have shared this first and record season with us.
Our best wishes
Dudu |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:06 |
|
Newsletter - - 7th October 2009 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Gerard
|
|
Thursday, 29 October 2009 08:57 |
|
I drove across from the camp to Acacia house this evening and when I arrived there was a family of impala grazing on the road outside. As you know our predators, and we have many around the house, would like nothing more for dinner than one of these fine antelope. Happily for this particular animal, that is easier said than done and the lowly impala is in many cases underestimated by hunter and human alike. If required, as they often are, they can clear an obstacle of up to 3 metres high and can leap around 10 feet with little difficulty.
Throw in a comfortable cruise speed of around 50 kilometres an hour and the ability to corner like a high speed roller coaster and you can see just why this catch is so valued. However, it is in the night that this varied bag of tricks becomes significantly less useful. As you can imagine such acrobatics are far less helpful when you can’t really see where to leap, jump or run.
In the fading light of day as the dad of the family started to round them up into a huddle for the night ahead, I left him to it. I hope that when I head out early tomorrow I will find that all are present and correct. I will be sure to check. On which note I am late for my own fatherly duties and so send our very best early evening wishes from us all,
Gerard
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2009 09:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 4 of 8 |
