This month, we came to the United States for a two week safari through Chicago, Washington DC, and California. It was an unforgettable trip — primarily because of the people we met along the way. First and foremost, thank you to everyone who came to our talks, took us sight-seeing, or showed us their generosity and support. It has given us renewed motivation and encouragement!
Below is a small collection of the many wonderful adventures we had. This was Jeneria’s fourth trip to the U.S. — he’s become a seasoned pro. It was Yesalai’s first trip to America, and certainly an unforgettable one.
Jeneria speaks to an audience of about 300 at the Wildlife Conservation Expo at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Photo by Jeff Kennel.
The amazing Bruce Patterson took us on a tour of the Field Museum in Chicago and told us the legendary tale of the man eating lions of Tsavo.
Paul, Jeneria, Shivani and Yesalai in sunny Chicago at the Field Museum.
In Washington DC, we had meetings with National Geographic and their Big Cats Initiative team. They took great care of us — including taking us to a fancy steak house where the guys demolished the most enormous steak ever.
Yesalai did not want to miss seeing “Obama’s house” in Washington.
The National Air and Space Museum in DC.
A most generous donor and friend treated us to a whale watching experience off San Francisco. We saw 16 whales and had a blast! And nobody got seasick.
We were so lucky to have amazing weather — and great whale watching — in San Francisco.
Yesalai had never even see a horse up close — and now he’s riding one on the beach in northern California. He was a natural!
The last stop on the trip was Redondo Beach in southern California, where the guys spoke to hundreds of school kids at Alta Vista Elementary School, which we teamed up with to renovate Remot Primary School in Kenya.