Soysambu Conservancy

Category: 1, Community, Conservation, Education | Date: Nov 14 2009 | By: victoria knyvett

” Clothes swap evening”clothes-swap-nov-11-09-004.jpg
Wednesday November the 11th, London - I hosted a “clothes swap evening” here at home to raise funds for the kids I taught at Mbogo Primary back in May. By the time I reached Soysambu I had already given away the pens, pencils, paper etc that I had brought out from England and therefore had nothing to donate to the children of Mbogo Primary School. I left them with a heavy heart but a determination to try and raise some money for them to buy the basics to keep on learning. I came up with the idea of a clothes swap evening in the summer for my girlfriends, something that was fun, a little bit different and would hopefully generate some money!

Everyone had to bring 3 pieces of clothing and hang them up on arrival. It was £15 a head and the idea was to have a fun girlie evening with wine and canapes, followed by a trying on session! The evening was great fun and a huge success, with everyone going home with at least one “new” item of clothing. I’m now well on track to raising £300 to wire over to Kat and the team at Soysambu by the end of November!

Tags: clothes swap evening

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Category: 1 | Date: Oct 16 2009 | By: Soysambu guest blogger

If you feel city – jaded, work –stressed and in need of revitalisation, there is a quick – fix solution; you will find it just two hours (134 kms, 84miles) from Nairobi and barely two minutes up off the Nairobi/Nakuru Highway at Sunbird Lodge, which opened in 2008. It is situated high enough up for you to get a panoramic view of Lake Elmentaita and the surrounding, varied landscape. Sitting under a large shady umbrella, on the spacious verandah, you can relax watching the view, which constantly changes, depending on the time of day.

As the sun slowly disappears try a gentle walk down the winding path that leads you past the ten luxuriously appointed cottages and the swimming pool. Then make your way to the scenic ‘Sundowner Viewpoint’, which is a small group of rocks situated just above the shoreline. Once there, you will be served with your drink of choice, as you see yet another facet of nature in this amazing, changing landscape – this time a stunning, blazing sunset!

If you would like to experience the indigenous wildlife, Lake Nakuru National Park is only 20 minutes away and The Soysambu Conservancy is right on the doorstep. The Conservancy includes most of Lake Elmentaita, which, due to its alkaline content, is home to thousands of the spectacularly pink flamingoes and the lovably ugly pelicans. These two species both need to be seen ‘up close and personal’. I recommend this as an antidote for ‘Workitis’.

If you still need something more, I suggest getting a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the area, from a balloon, as Gunter and Othmar, the owners of Sunbird Lodge, who also happen to be balloonists, can also arrange this with Go Ballooning Kenya. This would be the perfect end to your, relaxing, away-from-it-all break.

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Category: 1, Conservation, Great White Pelican, Rothschild Giraffe, Wildlife, black rhino | Date: Oct 11 2009 | By: Soysambu guest blogger

My name is Jenny and I recently had the privilege of spending two weeks at Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya. Soysambu, geographically nestled in the Great Rift Valley, is home to a teeming abundance of beautiful wildlife. While I was there I came to realize just how special this place was. It’s not often that people get to experience these animals in their natural habitat. Most of these animals are only viewed in Zoo’s or National Parks.

In Soysambu, animals are free to come and go as they please. It is a credit to the Conservancy that even with their freedom these animals choose to make their homes on Conservancy land. While I was there I saw Cape Buffalo, Impala, Thomson’s Gazelles, Grant’s Gazelles, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Waterbuck, Dik Dik, Burchell’s Zebra, Eland, Flamingos, Pelicans, and numerous African birds. I also was fortunate to be able to participate in a bi-annual Wildlife Census for the Conservancy. After gathering the data is it clear that wildlife is prospering there. Great things are in store for Soysambu in the future. Kat Combes, of Soysambu Conservancy told me her dreams of bringing the once present Black Rhino back onto Conservancy land. To see this dream come to fruition will be a wondrous site. It might take many years of fundraising and planning but I have no doubt that she will reach her dream. She certainly gives her whole heart to this Conservancy. After observing her over the two weeks it is clear that Soysambu is her heaven on earth.

I feel fortunate to have been able to experience everything that Soysambu has to offer. I have come home feeling well rested and knowing that these majestic animals are being well cared for. I know that in the future if I am having a bad day I will be able to close my eyes and be transported back to a land where the graceful Giraffe are “dining” with their family, and the Gazelles are swishing their tails while frolicking with their friends. All the while the beautiful sound of the African Dove can be heard boasting of what a special place in the world this is.

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Category: 1, Conservation, Rothschild Giraffe, Wildlife, endangered species | Date: Oct 04 2009 | By: Kate Jennings

Twice a year a Game Count is conducted on the entire of the Soysambu Conservancy, to give an idea of animal numbers. It is impossible to get an exact count on most animals, however using particular techniques a general idea can be established!

Rangers, staff, volunteers and residents assembled at the head office at 6am to collect counting sheets, binoculars and vehicles. The property was divided into 11 sections and groups of 3-6 people designated to each section, plus an aerial count of larger animals, like Giraffe and Buffalo, over the entire property.

The count took most groups about 3 hours, but the last group didn’t finish until 11am after scrambling through the dense scrub of the Lake Sanctuary!

Some of the notable sightings included a Leopard, 4 Hyena, 4 Bat-Eared Foxes wrestling across the plains, and 3 Ground Horn Bills. 63 Rothschild’s giraffe were counted, including quite a few newborns! There were only 7 Colobus Monkeys seen, which adds to suspicions that the population size has dropped.

Over 200 Eland were seen, and 67 warthog were counted, both numbers having increased since last count in MayThese figures are very encouraging as both these species are targeted heavily by poachers. And last night I saw my first Aardvark on a night drive! Very exciting stuff!

Tags: Soysambu Conservancy

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Category: 1 | Date: Sep 04 2009 | By: Kate Jennings

The Soysambu Conservancy security patrol had a big victory over night, with the arrest of six men found stealing steel water pipes on the property. The men were found with 30 pipes loaded in a truck belonging to a scrap metal dealer (all of which are being held as evidence). Once stolen the steel pipes are cut up and sold to the scrap metal trade. So the confiscation of a scrap metal dealers truck is a big step in trying to stop this problem.

Sadly, pipe theft is a common problem for The Conservancy and Delamere Estates. It is not only a huge cost to replace the pipes, but these thefts disrupt the vital flow of water to stock, wildlife and people. So well done to the security team for these arrests. Lets hope the perpetrators receive a hefty penalty.

Tags: , Soysambu Conservancy

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Category: 1, Community, Conservation, Education, Great White Pelican, Habitat Preservation, Ramsar, Rothschild Giraffe, Wildlife, endangered species | Date: Jan 31 2009 | By: soysambuconservancy

Students at Mbogo Primary School on Soysambu have begun writing students at Lincoln Elementary School in Mundelein, Illinois in the USA. It was quite the project. Artist Michelle McCune brought the letters out when she came on safari in late November. Sarah Omasula, our Community Education director began working with the students and teachers at Mbogo Primary School which is a short hike from the Conservancy’s head office. Charles Muthui, the Conservancy’s Community and Wildlife Manager introduced the programme.  Bro Jenkins, a former school teacher in Nairobi assisted Sarah with handing out the letters and over two days helped with everything from handing out biscuits to explaining what a Pen Pal friend meant. One of our new rangers filmed the project with very old video camera. He took some amazing footage which  compiled into this very amateur video. It really shows the enthusiasm and hard work to complete the letters. These children came off their school break, donned their uniforms (those that were fortunate to have hand-me-downs). Many walked quite a distance on two separate days. I hope you enjoy the video and  wish to give to their school needs such as food, water, desks, supplies, uniforms, building repair, power and so much more!

Tags: Artists and Education, Community, Community Outreach Kenya, Conservation Education, Education, Kenyan Students, Pen Pals, Wildlife

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