| Dear friends,
Happy festive season from the Bush Adventures team! We hope this newsletter finds you all well and happy, ready to celebrate the start of a new year with your loved ones. 2013 has brought many good things to us and our community, and we look forward to more in 2014.
Saita and Kortol, our trainers, are doing very well: Kortol is expecting his first baby in February, he can’t wait for his paternity leave, and we look forward to seeing his little bundle of joy. Will it be a boy or a girl? While waiting, he keeps practicing his jumps, as you can see in the pictures.
(Silas and Kortol jumping, picture by Brendan Bannon)
Saita keeps up his good community work with the water association, and is still working on his book on local plants and their medicinal use.
The rains have been very good this past rainy season- so good that we have been cut off the main roads for a few days! The river was flooded, and so were many of the seasonal streams we cross. On our way to the camp we came across a Leopard tortoise. These turtles hibernate during the dry season, and we were lucky enough to see one out of hibernation going for its seasonal drink- these beautiful creatures drink only during the rainy season, and spend much of the rest of their time hiding from Maasai children: the young ones believe that they will stop peeing in bed when they can sit on a turtle- even an unwilling one.
(Oscar and the tortoise, picture by Silas)
In June we had a leopard at the camp- it really seemed to like the bushes and trees near our tent (Laura and Silas’s), and it was a great asset in keeping away the goats during the day. Unfortunately we must have been too noisy for his liking: once our season was in full swing, he moved out. No more leopard calls and huffing and puffing at night, and more hard work for our day guards trying to keep the goats at bay.
(Leopards in the Mara, picture by Silas)
A beautiful article on us was published on Conde’ Nast Traveller this November. Debi Dunn, their senior editor, ditched cruises and 5 star hotels to come and spend a few days with us. She arrived in the middle of a storm, quite an introduction to Maasai life! This did not stop her dedication, and as soon as the rain stopped, she put on her Maasai sandals, shuka and all, and off she went to practice bow and arrow. It was lovely to have her, and we love the article she wrote. For those who missed it, check out this link:
http://www.cntraveler.com/features/2013/11/masai-training-tourism-kenya-bush-adventure
The Shukuru foundation, started by Michael and Michelle Notrica, keeps making great contributions to our community: this June they brought more blackboards for the local nursery school. The kids loved it! If you wish to help, visit their webpage: http://www.theshukurufoundation.com/
Special offers for 2014
In March, June and September, 4x5x6- join us for at least 4 nights, pay for 5 people and the 6th person stays for free. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a unique experience with your friends and loved ones!
(View from tent 1, picture by Brendan Bannon)
Wishing you all the best for 2014, and hoping to see many of you at the camp,
Warm regards
Laura, Silas and the Bush Adventures team |
