Camp Life – Ewaso Lions

Jamani: A Success Story

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It was still dark when eight-year-old Jamani Lororua slipped out of his home and started walking.

He had no escort, no map, and no phone. What he had was a memory: a single glimpse of our main Ewaso Lions Camp, pointed out to him from a bus window weeks earlier as we drove him home after five unforgettable days at Lion Kids Camp. That one glimpse was enough. By five o’clock that morning, Jamani had set off on foot, determined to find his way back.

A 33-Kilometre Walk Through Lion and Elephant Country

The journey was not a short or easy one. Jamani walked 33 kilometres (about 21 miles) through Westgate and Meibae Conservancies, a landscape shared by elephants, lions, and other wildlife, completely alone. For a grown adult, that walk would require preparation. For an eight-year-old boy, it was an extraordinary act of courage, determination, and trust in a place that had changed how he saw the world around him.

When Jamani finally arrived, dusty and tired, but with a big smile on his face, he told us simply that he was on his way back to Lion Kids Camp, the place he had spent five days falling in love with, learning, and imagining a different future for himself and the wildlife around him.

What Five Days at Camp Had Given Him

Left: Jamani with a smile during his first Lion Kids Camp playing the Ewaso Lion’s Conservation Game. Right: Jamani during his first wildlife safari.

Jamani had not forgotten a thing. He recounted wildlife tracking, the food chain, and the principles of coexistence with the kind of clarity that comes from genuine understanding, not memorisation. And then, unprompted, he told us exactly what he intended to do differently because of what he had learned:

“When I see lions, I will take our livestock away and give the lions space. And I will not kill dikdik again.”

It is hard to overstate what those two sentences represent. Jamani comes from a community where livestock and predators frequently come into conflict, and where hunting dikdik is common among children. That walk said everything. In finding his way back to Lion Kids Camp, he was already showing us a shift not just in knowledge, but in values and behaviour, the very outcome conservation education hopes for, achieved in real time, by a child.

A Story That Gives Us Hope

Jamani was safely reunited with his family. But in many ways, his journey is only just beginning. His walk is a vivid, almost unbelievable, illustration of what Lion Kids Camp can do: not simply teach children facts about wildlife, but instill in them a genuine sense of connection, responsibility, and love for the natural world around them, strong enough that an eight-year-old would set out alone, before sunrise, through wildlife country, just to return to it.

We made Jamani a promise that day: we will welcome him back to the next Lion Kids Camp.

His story reminds us why this work matters, and gives us real hope for what a new generation of conservationists, even the very youngest ones, can become.

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Mama Simba’s habitat recovery takes root

If you have been following the Mama Simba habitat recovery journey, you know this moment has been a long time coming.

What started as an initiative for the Mama Simba to recover the land that lions and local communities depend on is becoming real — rooted. A story of patience, learning, and building with your own hands. It is just the beginning.

Why habitat recovery

Lion conservation in the Ewaso Lions’ area of operation is inseparable from the health of the land itself. When habitat degrades, when invasive species crowd out native vegetation, when shade disappears and cover thins, lions and other wildlife lose more than comfort. They lose the dense bush that makes hunting possible. They lose the resting spots that allow them to move through a shared landscape with less friction. They lose the essential thick areas needed to hide their cubs. When wildlife, especially predators, struggle, the ripple effects reach the livestock and the livelihoods of the pastoral communities who live alongside them. Habitat recovery is thus central to the long-term future of lion conservation in this region.

It started with learning

In May 2025, Mama Simba travelled to the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya (CER-K) at Brackenhurst, Limuru, for an intensive five-day training. There, they learned two critical skills: how to identify and tackle Mathenge (Prosopis juliflora), the invasive species quietly choking out native vegetation across the landscape, and how to propagate Salvadora persica (toothbrush tree), an indigenous species that provides lions with dense cover for hunting, hiding cubs and shade for rest. The training was rigorous and practical. It was hands in soil, eyes on species, knowledge transferred directly between people who care deeply about this land.

Mama Simba during their training at CER-K

Building from scratch

By March 2026, that intention had taken physical form. With their own hands, the Mama Simba built a tree nursery, a dedicated, structured space to cultivate the seedlings that would eventually return to the land. They built it themselves, and in doing so, they built an initiative that belongs to them.

The nursery

In May, one year after their initial training and with additional hands-on training and support from the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration Kenya (CER-K), which came directly to the newly constructed nursery at the Lion Kids Camp, Mama Simba planted 2000 seedlings spanning 23 species of trees and shrubs. Every single one is indigenous. Every single one was carefully selected not just for lions, but for the full ecosystem: for wildlife, for livestock, and for the communities who share and steward this landscape.

Twenty-three indigenous species, each with a role to play. Some of the seedlings will be planted to fill in the gaps where the invasive Mathenge species has been removed. Others will be planted across the landscape where they will grow into the dense thickets that give lions the cover they need to hunt. Overall, many will provide shade, stabilise soils, support pollinators, or offer fodder for livestock. Healthy ecosystems are not built from a single species; they are interlaced with many, each supporting the others. That is exactly what Mama Simba is rebuilding here.

Growing Momentum

For Mama Simba, this is a historic milestone. It centres the knowledge, the labour, and the investment of the women who know this land best. Women who live alongside lions, who understand the rhythms of this ecosystem in ways no outside expert can fully replicate.

What makes this effort extraordinary is not just its ecological ambition. It is the model it represents: that conservation is most powerful when the communities at its heart are initiating the activities. Mama Simba did not wait for habitat recovery to happen to them. They made it happen themselves.

Next steps

Watching an initiative grow from the ground up, from a simple idea into a tangible, living, breathing reality, has been nothing short of inspiring. The nursery is a beginning, not an end. As the seedlings grow and are eventually transplanted into the wider landscape, the impact of this work will spread beyond the nursery walls, taking root in the soils of northern Kenya.

Images by Simatwa Ngachi & Ewaso Lions

A Mega Launch, Two Reunion Camps, and Seven Lion Kids Camps

The Lion Kids Camp Is Officially Open

Nine hundred people showed up. Nine hundred people who believe that communities hold the future of conservation gathered to mark a historic moment for Ewaso Lions. The official opening of the newly upgraded Lion Kids Camp.

The ceremony was officiated by the Governor of Samburu County, H.E. Hon. Jonathan Lati Lelelit, EGH, and drew representatives from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Samburu County Government, conservation partners, 11 community conservancies, local schools, and a vibrant community audience; women’s groups, warriors, elders, youth, and young children.

The Governor’s words set the tone for everything that followed:

“Ewaso Lions has made a remarkable contribution to employment and conservation in Samburu County. They have employed more people than I ever imagined possible, reaching even those who have never had the opportunity to set foot in a classroom. This is the true power of community-driven conservation, transforming lives while protecting wildlife.”

Speeches from community elders, parents of children who have attended Camps, and the Ewaso Lions team reminded everyone why this programme exists and why it matters.

Two Reunion Camps

Ewaso Lions’ goal in 2026 is to reach 500 children through the Reunion Camps.

So far, we have held two Reunion Camps, bringing back a combined 97 alumni from Kalama and Westgate Community Conservancies, young people who first attended Lion Kids Camp between 2015 and 2021. Some were just children then.

For many, the biggest surprise on arrival was finding a completely upgraded Camp with brand-new facilities. The excitement was unforgettable. But these alumni were not returning for the memories alone. Even before coming back, they were already living what they had learned. Kids from Lerata in Kalama Community Conservancy had been alerting fellow herders to carnivore tracks, actively preventing livestock predation in their communities, proof that the Camp’s lessons had taken root and grown.

This cohort now includes young conservation leaders working at Sera and Kalama Community Conservancies, Sasaab Lodge, and Larsens Camp; interns with Save The Elephants; college students; and recent high school graduates.

The Reunion programme includes career guidance, impact measurement, wildlife safaris, the Conservation Game, and Conflict to Coexistence sessions. Community elders spoke to the alumni, and rangers deepened their understanding of conservation on the ground.

One alumnus put it simply:

“We are grateful for the chance to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate how far we have come, and how conservation has shaped our lives and careers.”

Coming back to Camp after years away was special in itself, a chance to reconnect with each other, with the landscape, and with the values that Lion Kids Camp had planted in them long ago. From children who once sat wide-eyed on their first wildlife safari to conservation professionals now shaping the future of conservation in northern Kenya, this is what long-term impact looks like.

Seven Camps, Hundreds of Lives Changed

Between February and June 2026, we have held seven Lion Kids Camps at our upgraded Camp, reaching livestock herding children and students across northern Kenyan conservancies. Every child who attends lives alongside wildlife, and the results speak for themselves.

From Blank Slates to Conservation Thinkers

It was clear from the start that for many of these children, the Camp would be their very first introduction to conservation education: 67% of Kiltamany (Kalama Community Conservancy) children, 83% of Nasuulu (Isiolo) children, and 100% of Ngare Mara (Isiolo) children had never received any formal teaching about wildlife or conservation before attending. The Camps changed that profoundly.

Children’s ability to identify resident mammal species improved significantly in every cohort; 75% to 86% of attendees scored higher post-Camp. Carnivore identification by tracks, signs, or sounds improved even more sharply, with 76% to 92% of children achieving higher scores, and average scores rising by as much as 68% from children in Westgate.

The most striking shifts came in threat awareness. Children who had barely considered threats facing wildlife left Camp able to name habitat loss, drought, poaching, encroachment, and pollution, and explain why and how they happened.

Turning Fear and Indifference into Appreciation

The Camps consistently shifted how children feel about wildlife and carnivores. At Kiltamany, the proportion who believed that living with wildlife brought more benefits than problems jumped from 30% to 100%. At Nasuulu, 92% agreed post-Camp, up from 80%. Across all Camps, 100% of children ended the week saying that killing wild animals was ‘very bad’.

Attitudes towards lions improved everywhere. Post-Camp, 96–100% of children across all sites said that when they think of a lion, it is something they ‘like’ or ‘strongly like’, including among herding children who had previously experienced lion attacks on their livestock.

Children Who See Themselves as Stewards

One of the most meaningful shifts was in how children understand their own role. At Ngare Mara, the proportion who considered themselves responsible for conserving carnivores rose from 4% to 36%. At Westgate, responsibility for protecting livestock from predation went from 0% to 100%. Across all Camps, more children left understanding that they could act on conservation today in their home areas.

Practical Tools for Coexistence

Every Camp dedicated significant time to practical coexistence skills. Children left knowing how to use scarecrows, guard dogs, fire and lights, bells on livestock, and strengthened bomas to protect their animals, directly reducing the retaliatory killings that threaten carnivore populations across the region.

What the Children Said

At Nasuulu, 100% of attendees said they enjoyed the Camp and would return if given the chance. At Westgate, 96% strongly agreed the Camp had improved their knowledge of local wildlife, and 88% strongly agreed their attitude towards wild animals had improved.

The data is compelling. But it is the stories that stay with you: the Kiltamany children who woke at 4 am, buzzing with excitement before their first-ever wildlife safari; the Ngare Mara group who spotted 8 lions sleeping in a thicket and could not stop talking about it; the Westgate students taught the names of individual lions by the Ewaso Lions field team, who left feeling like they personally knew the pride.

Next Steps

Ewaso Lions has now run over 53 Lion Kids Camps since launching the programme 13 years ago, in 2013, providing more than 1,560 children across four counties with a fully immersive wildlife experience. The Reunion Camps have shown that the impact does not stop when children go home; it compounds, year after year, as they grow into conservationists, researchers, guides, rangers, and community leaders.

This year’s mega launch showed that conservation is not the work of a few. It is the work of a community. And the community showed up, 900 strong, to prove it.

Thank You

None of this would be possible without the generosity of those who believe in this vision. Our deepest thanks to:

Conservation Partners: Samburu County Government, Kenya Wildlife Service, Westgate Community Conservancy, Kalama Community Conservancy, Nasuulu Community Conservancy, Nakuprat-Gotu Conservancy, Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

Financial Supporters this year: Zoo Atlanta, Auckland Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Capricorn Foundation, Safarilink Aviation, Diann and her friends, Norina Weiler, and individual donors who responded to the 2025 end-of-year appeal.

Your collective contributions have been instrumental in delivering conservation education across Northern Kenya, inspiring and nurturing young conservation leaders.

Images by Simatwa Ngachi & Ewaso Lions

Our 2023 Lion Kids Camps are underway

Our 2023 Lion Kids Camps are underway

Children are the new custodians of Kenya’s wildlife and the attitudes they form at an early age about wildlife tend to last a lifetime. Recognising this, our Lion Kids Camp (LKC) programme is well-tailored to engage children in environmental education ultimately fostering long-term conservation values. We also offer culturally relevant information including identifying which carnivore killed their livestock, disease spread and domestic animal welfare.

Lion Kids playing the Conservation Game © Lucy Maina

We target students and livestock herding children from the landscape based on the critical role they play in wildlife conservation. Each five-day Camp follows a carefully designed curriculum that teaches children about the value and importance of lions, large carnivores and other wildlife species, the threats to their survival and techniques communities can adopt to promote peaceful coexistence.

Lion Kids playing the Conservation Game © Lucy Maina

We are excited to have so far held a total of 4 Camps this year -2 Camps for students and 2 Camps for herding children. A total of 97 children from 4 conservancies – Meibae, Nakuprat Gotu, Westgate and Nanapisho – attended our Camps.

Each day was special for the children, from introductions and getting to know each other, to learning about wildlife and their identification, and finally to a safari into Samburu National Reserve (SNR) using Ewaso Lions’ Simba Safari bus.

Many of the children mentioned the safari as their biggest highlight as it gave them a chance to observe wildlife close-up which brought what they had learnt to life.

Boarding the bus to head on Safari © Lucy Maina

Susan Ekiru said, “We woke up so early on the third day and went to the Reserve. We were overjoyed to see Lions, Elephants, Baboons, Warthog, Elephants, Giraffes and Zebras among other animals. I was saddened to learn that the Grevy’s Zebra is facing extinction if nothing is done.”

Painoti our Education Assistant shows the children Nanai close-up © Lucy Maina

Samburu National Reserve Warden, Moses Lolmodooni, speaks to the children © Lucy Maina

Acknowledging the importance of conservation engagement and awareness, Lion Kids Camp is expanding to include warriors and youth. In this spirit, we had an exposure trip to the Reserve dubbed “Transform Samburu” with an environmental youth group from Lorubae. 25 youth had an opportunity to appreciate and interact positively with wildlife.

“I hope to come back, I have learnt a lot about wildlife and I am teaching my family and friends too. I aspire to be a wildlife veterinarian like Dr. Jessicah of Kura’s Pride so I can be able to save Grevy’s Zebra from extinction. Thank you so much Ewaso Lions for according this opportunity to me, ” Susan Ekiru, Nakupurat – Gotu Conservancy.

Banner Photo © Lucy Maina

Our Team is Growing!

We are excited to have 9 new staff members join Ewaso Lions since January 2017. Based between Nairobi and Samburu, this expansion of our team has strengthened Ewaso Lions in our capacity to do more for lion conservation. Meet our new team members here.

Resson Kantai Duff – Deputy Director
Resson joined our team in February 2018 as our Deputy Director. She holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford. Prior to joining Ewaso Lions, she also worked for our long-term conservation partners, Save the Elephants, as their Head of Awareness. Resson hit the ground running by being elected as the youngest member of the Board of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, giving Ewaso Lions a voice in the national conservation agenda. “Joining Ewaso Lions is a dream come true for me. Having understood how important, and yet how difficult community conservation is to achieve, it is incredible to join a team that is in every sense achieving this illusive concept,” she said.

Ben Lejale – Ewaso Regional Lion Coordinator
Ben is from Donyo Lengala in Kipsing, south of the Ewaso Nyiro River. Ben joined our team in early 2017 and his key responsibility is coordinating the warriors activities. His other roles include: teaching the warriors how to read and write, helping in training the warriors on data collection, attending community meetings and functions on behalf of Ewaso Lions, taking a key role in collecting sociological data including community attitudes and perceptions on conservation/lions, manyatta and livestock mapping, and people census within our area of operation. Occasionally, he is also involved in vehicle transect surveys. Ben has a passion for conservation and is interested in involving the community in the conservation of lions and other wildlife. He has an educational background on Community Development.

Peter Lenasalia – Lion Kids Camp and Youth Coordinator
Peter, who is from Sereolipi village in Namunyak Conservancy, is our Lion Kids Camp Co-ordinator. He joined Ewaso Lions in early 2017, having previously completed his Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Management at The University of Eldoret. Peter is especially passionate about engaging youth in conservation and has a natural aptitude for teaching and mentoring children. As well as organising and delivering all our Lion Kids Camps, Peter supervises students sponsored through the Jeremy Lucas Education Fund and, together with Ben, runs the weekly Warrior Watch school, where he teaches the warriors basic English, Kiswahili and numeracy. Currently, Peter is working closely with the management team to expand our Lion Kids Camp programme and provide children from across Kenya with an immersive wildlife education experience.

Semees Lembagani – Security Supervisor
Lembagani is a pastoralist who comes from Sukuroi village in Westgate Conservancy. He joined our team in August 2017 as Security Supervisor. Prior to working with Ewaso Lions, Lembagani worked for the British Army. We are grateful to have him join our team as he provides additional security for camp and our team, and assists Francis & Lpuresi in many aspects of camp work, including keeping an eye on our puppy Nanyori who is famous for vanishing.

Lengaina & Leluata – Warriors, Meibae Conservancy
Two new warriors joined our Warrior Watch programme in late 2017. Lengaina and Leluata come from Meibae Conservancy and support Jeneria and other warriors in conflict mitigation, monitoring lions and being the first responders any time conflict with lions occurs. We are thrilled to have them join our team and strengthen the Warrior Watch programme as we continue to grow the network of warriors engaged in conservation in Northern Kenya.

Evelyn Oduor – Operations Officer
Evelyn is based in our Nairobi office (which was established when she begun in March 2017) and coordinates all operations and logistics for the project. Evelyn, who is from Nairobi, has over 15 years experience in administration and logistics, and holds a Diploma in Business Management. In her free time, Evelyn loves to read and travel, and she often comes up to Samburu to connect with the team and work on improving camp operations.

Evanson Kariuki -Conservation Programmes Assistant
Evanson, who hails fromNairobi, joined Ewaso Lions as our Conservation Programmes Assistant (CPA) in November 2017. Evanson has a wealth of experience leading and coordinating wildlife conservation and community development projects across Kenya, including in the Tsavo and Maasai Mara ecosystems and Marsabit County. He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management and is currently finishing a Master of Arts Degree in Environmental Planning and Management at the University of Nairobi. As CPA, Evanson works closely with our Conservation Manager, Heather, and the wider team to develop, deliver and expand our conservation programmes. He is also an accredited safari-guide and avid birdwatcher, who also enjoys spending his free-time tending to the camp Shamba (vegetable plot) and playing with Nanyori, one of our camp dogs.

Moses Cheruiyot -Bus Driver
Moses, who comes from Laikipia County, joined the team as our Bus Driver in September 2017. He has over 25 years driving experience and is a graduate of the National Youth Service, holding a Grade II Motor Vehicle Mechanic certificate. As our Bus Driver, Moses is responsible for driving and maintaining our Bush Bus, which he is adept at navigating through the challenging Samburu terrain, whilst taking community members on educational wildlife safaris within the National Reserve. Moses is also a key member of our Lion Kids Camp team and supports our Coordinator, Peter, with delivery of this immersive wildlife education programme. When not running exposure tours and Kids Camps, Moses provides logistical support to our Field Team and puts his mechanical skills to the test helping with general vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Video: Our Expedition Up Mount Kenya for Lions

In January, we organised a team expedition up Mount Kenya. The five day trek was an unforgettable experience as we climbed to 3,985 meters (16,300 ft). In doing this, we were able to drew attention to the dramatic decline of lions in Africa, and we raised $20,000 for lion conservation.

We put together this fun video showing highlights from the expedition. Enjoy!

You Can Join Our Expedition – Become a Fundraiser

Our campaign is off to a great start towards raising $20,000 for lion conservation by climbing Mt Kenya in January.

We can’t reach the top alone.

You can join our expedition no matter where in the world you are by becoming a fundraiser or champion for our cause.

Top 5 easy ways to get involved:

1) Make a donation to the campaign: http://bit.ly/ClimbForLions

2) Set up a a crowd-funding page and tell your friends. The funds you raise will get directed into our campaign. It’s easy. Watch that meter climb to the goal!

3) Use our special graphics as your Facebook profile photo. These great images were made for us by one of our supporters — if you have your own creative ideas for contributing to the cause like this, let us know!

4) Buy a limited edition shirt, bag, or art print featuring awesome artwork by Kevin Halfhill. Every sale contributes to the campaign. https://animaliacollective.com/2016/11/15/ewaso-lions-face-crown

5) Use the hashtag #ClimbForLions on social media and help us spread the word that Kenya’s lions are in serious trouble unless we create safe spaces for them by working with local communities.

About the campaign

Safe Passage for Lions — As the human population soars, lions are running out of space and experiencing increased human-lion conflict over livestock. Ewaso Lions is focused on working with local communities to create areas where people and lions can coexist, by securing lion corridors whereby lions can continue to thrive without persecution. At the same time, we are helping local people and their livelihoods by reducing their livestock losses.

Our goal of $20,000 will support our work which includes:
• Warrior Watch: a network of Samburu warriors who prevent lion killings and promote lion tolerance across northern Kenya.
• Mama Simba: The “mothers of lions”, our women’s group educates and empowers Samburu women.
• Lion Kids Camp: A multi-day conservation education camp for Kenyan children that inspires a new generation of wildlife leaders.
• Lion Dispersal Research: Using high-tech GPS collars to track lion movements and identify the areas that are key to lion survival.

Junior the Lion Kid

This is the story of Junior, the 13-year-old “Lion Kid”. This boy’s story is worth sharing because Junior represents the bright outcome of conservation education. Junior hails from Westgate Conservancy in Samburu, northern Kenya.

Junior attended our Lion Kids Camp in 2014, which sparked Junior’s interest in conservation. By the end of the Camp, he was telling anyone who would listen that he wanted to be just like the warriors from Ewaso Lions.

Now, every time Jeneria and the field team head into Samburu National Reserve, Junior – who lives in a village bordering the Reserve – is watching, waiting for any chance to jump in their vehicle to go see lions or head back to camp with his new heroes.

He is quite a character and will stand in the middle of the road with his arms stretched out and school bag ready until Jeneria stops to let him jump in the car. He hates to miss a chance to spend time with the field team and has even been known to hop in barefoot – no time for shoes!

Whilst some like to call him “Jeneria’s shadow,” Jeneria’s own nickname for Junior is “Traffic” because he won’t let Jeneria pass without stopping.

Junior spends his weekends and school holidays at the Ewaso Lions Camp. He stands out from his classmates in their blue and red school uniforms; his red Lion Kids Camp t-shirt being his own uniform of choice and one he is rarely seen without.

Last August, he even participated in our World Lion Day celebrations when our team held a Running for Lions event around the Camp. Junior ran for his favorite lion, Loiwotwa.

When he is not out in the field with the warriors, he spends time in Camp working on his school lessons, drawing, playing with Kura, or scanning for wildlife from our deck. He is a fantastic artist and is being mentored by Samson, our Resident Artist.

We love having Junior in Camp, and when he’s not here we all miss him. He is definitely a treasured Lion Kid.

Happy holidays from Ewaso Lions!

We made a short video message to wish you a very happy and peaceful holiday. 2015 was a great year and we look forward to a big year ahead for lions and local communities in northern Kenya. Thank you for all your support!

> Click here to make a donation

Hundreds Turn Up for Opening Ceremony for Our New Camp

Close to 400 people turned up for the official opening ceremony of the new Ewaso Lions Conservation Centre on Saturday. Community members, partners, donors, and friends all gathered to mark this huge milestone for Ewaso Lions, and we are both thankful and humbled for such a turn out.

After having spent half the night erecting marquees, the team was up before dawn to ensure everything was ready. Soon, amidst a backdrop of celebratory song, lorry loads of community members began to arrive from all corners of Westgate Conservancy.

Arguably the most impressive entrance, however, came from our own Mama Simba ladies. Travelling by foot from their manyatta, the women could be heard long before they could be seen and, when they did arrive, came laden with gourds of milk; gifts to be used in the blessing of the new camp.

Once all the guests had assembled, our designated Master of Ceremonies, Daniel Letoiye, invited the Chairman of Westgate Conservancy to cut the ribbon and declare the Ewaso Lions Conservation Centre officially open. Led by Mzee Lalmaoi, the community elders then performed a moving blessing; chanting in unison as they filed right through camp spraying a mixture of cows milk (itself viewed as a blessing) and water (to signify that life cannot exist without water).

Then Mama Simba ladies, accompanied by other women from other locations, performed a vibrant welcoming song that had the crowd clapping along and Westgate Conservancy Management on their feet dancing!

Children from Lpus Leluai Primary School also treated the audience to a fun drama that incorporated several of Ewaso Lions community programmes; including Warrior Watch, Mama Simba and Lion Kids Camp. The children then performed a song and a lovely poem that explained how they are proud to be a part of Westgate Conservancy and encouraged their communities to join in with local conservation efforts.

In her speech, Shivani described how the project has grown from a team of 4 in 2008 to a team of 32 full-time staff today. She explained how the old camp didn’t meet the needs of the growing team especially with the long-term vision that Ewaso Lions has for lion conservation. She thanked those that helped make this dream a reality with the establishment of the new Camp. Jeneria then talked about the work of Ewaso Lions, and how crucial working with the community is for all conservation efforts.

In typical Samburu fashion, the event concluded with a prayer and an impressive feast of nyama!

It was a fantastic day of celebration and we look forward to spending many years here continuing our work for the people and wildlife of northern Kenya.

We would like to extend a special thanks to:

The Community of Westgate
Westgate Conservancy management
Our donors – The Kenya Wildlife Trust, African Wildlife Foundation and Born Free Foundation for attending our ceremony
Conservation partners including The Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Save the Elephants and Action for Cheetahs.
The Safari Collection and Sasaab Lodge and in particular Ali and Tony Allport
The whole Ewaso Lions team for making this a very special day
Daniel Letoiye for expertly performing the role of Master of Ceremonies

> Click here to read more about the new Camp.

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