PUT ME IN MY PICTURE KKOS PROGRAM – goes on for another two weeks in November 2017 at Samburu Intrepids & Save the Elephants

Have fun getting to know the real kids of the African wildlife frontier who are learning to be the future leaders protecting the wildlife for you to see on a safari. With the help of the KKOS photographer Stephen Kibuna, KKOS Manager and Samburu Intrepids Chief Naturalist,James Ntopai,  they are interviewing tourists on film and helping you to maximize your safari experience. Who knows? You might be featured on this website!

It’s so easy to get more out of your safari experience with Kenyan kids along for the ride to take some videos and stills of you viewing the wildlife. And you can give them a world-view of conservation in one game drive simply by letting them see why you came all this far to see their wildlife.

While it takes a little more effort to see lions in the wild in Samburu and Westgate in the north of Kenya, Saba Douglas-Hamilton of Save the Elephants and the lead commentator for the world-renowned BBC “Big Cat Diary” claims that it shouldn’t be so easy that you might as well be at a zoo. That you appreciate seeing these magnificient lions all the more when they are hard to find, not just available “on-demand!” Visitors at Samburu Intrepids are just a short drive from the fascinating bush headquarters of Save The Elephants and Elephant Watch Camp. Another partner of KKOS, Ewaso Lions has its HQ just north near the Westgate Conservancy and Sasaab Camp. Shivani Bhalla, founder of Ewaso is recognized as the world’s leading wildlife conservation hero for lions.

Children of the tourists are surprised to find how informative and friendly are the local pastoralist kids in the KKOS program. Their minds are uncluttered by all the gadgets, toys and computer tablets of  city kids.

So they learn very quickly how to take telephoto pictures for the first time.

They don’t feel entitled and struggle hard to learn the three languages they speak and write by age 8-10. 

One 13 year old Masai girl from Loita who helped found KKOS 10 years ago even spoke perfect French which she somehow picked up in the bush and wanted to become Kenya’s Ambassador to France.

This keen, young Samburu pastoralist knows all about livestock – cows, goats and sheep. He’s more into herding than farming, so he fears lion attacks more than elephants who only compete for pasture and tree leaves. He’s never been to the city at four-days walk, nor handled a telephoto HD camcorder like this one that he’s learned to use with a little training. Before the day is done, he will have passed within touching distance of these massive animals which he now appreciates in a whole new way.

The Rosy-Patched Bush-Shrike, below left, that he’s captured on film is no stranger to him while herding, since this male inhabits dry ground and low bushes he passes through. He knows that the female would have a black bordered white throat. 

Below, tourists and kids get to photograph the unusual Gerenuk that can rise up on its hind legs to get the more tender tops of the bush or low tree. Everyone’s having a great time getting to know each other and the wildlife the kids are growing up with. So much better than only meeting local villagers at tourist-oriented sites where the focus is on beads and trinkets. In contrast, these kids don’t even think of begging that is alien to their pride and barter society.

 SAVING THE ELEPHANTS SINCE 1966

The kids visited Save the Elephants where they met Gilbert Sabinga who showed them all information about elephants and how they monitor them it was very educational trip,

the general program was amazing for these pastoral kids living around conservation areas, teaching them to be ambassadors of conservation as they will be leaders of tomorrow and decision makers, therefore conservation will be given priority in future.

STE – Kenyan kids on safari had memorable moments with jungle giants today during morning game in Samburu National Reserve being their first time to go on safari in comfortable jeeps of Samburu Intrepids with good view of wildlife. Taking photos was the best experience, but also watching and learning the behavior of each animal they came across. Experienced guides Chris Letur and James Ntopai waiting to see what nature offer in the evening game drive