Namunyak
means 'the place of peace' in the
Samburu language.
The
Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust,
an area of approximately 75,000
hectares, lies folded around the
southern corner of the fabled Mathews
Mountain range of northern Kenya, home
to the proud Samburu tribespeople, a
group of semi-nomadic pastoralists who
have for long shown tolerance for the
wildlife that co-exists alongside their
cattle. The Namunyak Wildlife
Conservation Trust was set up in 1995
specifically to promote wildlife
conservation and to assist the local
community to benefit from tourism, in
return for protecting the wildlife
species living on their land. The Trust
is represented by a democratically
elected 'Board of
Trustees'.
The
aims of the Trust are;-
-
The advancement of conservation efforts
and the development of wildlife
resources.
-
The advancement of environmental
education and awareness of the use of
water development and other natural
resources.
The
primary activities of the Trust thus
far have been to set up basic
infrastructure and to generally improve
the security of the area. A project
co-ordinator and a fully trained team
of game scouts were employed in 1995,
an administrative office set up in
Wamba, and an efficient radio network,
consisting of both VHF and HF base
station radios deployed throughout the
area.
To
date the Trust has received extensive
donor support from AcaciaTrails Ltd,
Mr. Halvor Astrup, Mr. Hugo de
Ferranti, the Tusk Trust, Save the
Elephant, and IFAW as well as a
considerable amount of logistical
backup from the Lewa Wildlife
Conservancy.
The
conservation work carried out by the
Namunyak Trust to date has been hugely
successful. As a result of the severe
ivory poaching crisis of the mid 1970's
and early '80's, there were no recorded
elephants remaining in the Mathews
range by 1985.
Today,
several thousand elephant are recorded
as living and breeding peacefully in
the southern Mathews range area,
together with a wide variety of other
wildlife species such as buffalo, lion,
leopard, cheetah, African wild dog
(possibly 70), greater and lesser kudu,
gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, impala
and dik dik.
Climate
The Namunyak area is generally warm and
dry, with crystal clear starlit nights.
Average rainfall is around 14 inches
per annum, the majority of which falls
during the months of November and
May.
Vegetation
The
lower areas (around 3,000' asl) consist
mostly of acacia tortilis and deciduous
commiphora bushland, together with an
attractive mix of newtonia hildebrandii
and delonix elata occurring along the
Sarara riverbed and other prominent
watercourses.
The
Mathews rainforest (8,000' asl)
consists of tall evergreen trees
dominated by podocarpus and croton
megolocarpus. There are also patches of
olea africana and juniperus procera. Of
particular interest is the presence of
large numbers of the endemic 'cycad'
Encephalartos Tegulaneus which only
occurs in the Mathews range and on Mt.
Sabache (Lolokwe).
Butterflies,
birds and wildlife living in the forest
are varied and fairly unique. Elephant,
buffalo, bushbuck, bush pig and Colobus
monkey are common and normally easily
seen.
History
The
Samburu people are of nilo-hamitic
stock related to the Laikipiak Maasai.
During the mid 19th century they
controlled a very large tract of land
stretching from all the way from Lake
Turkana to Ethiopia. As a result of
subsequent clashes with the warlike
Turkana and Purko however, they were
forced to retreat south to their
present day range.
There
are approximately 1,200 registered
families making up the 'Namunyak'
community.
One
of the highlights of the Namunyak area
must be a visit to the famous 'Sarara
Singing Wells'. Samburu warriors bring
their cattle to these watering holes on
a daily basis during the dry season.
Some of the wells are up to 10 metres
deep. The warriors strip off, descend
to form a human chain and chant
traditional Samburu songs as they pass
water up by hand for the cattle. This
mind blowing ritual goes on for
severalhours a day.
Visits
to local cultural villages may also be
arranged, although we do please request
that visitors do not take photographs
as this changes the people's lifestyle
forever.
Activities
In
addition to the usual viewing of big
game, the main focus of activities on
Namunyak are as follows;-Escorted bush
walks with our expert local field
scouts
Hiking
into the Mathews
rainforest
Climbing
to the top of Lolokwe with
donkeys
Fly
camping safaris with camels along the
wide sand 'luggas'
Moonlit
bush dinners beside natural animal
watering points
Day
trips to Samburu and Shaba game
reserves.
Bird
shooting on request.
SARARA
CAMP
Main
lounge and dining area with wooden
deck
5
Double Tents, each with flushing toilet
and open air shower
Natural
Rock Swimming Pool
Animal
Waterhole
Bush
Homes of East Africa Ltd/Richard Bonham
Safaris
P O Box 56923, 00200 City Square,
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254-(020)-600457, 605108, 609745,
609699, 605980
Fax: 254-(020)-605008
Email:
bushhome@africaonline.co.ke
Website:
www.bush-homes.co.ke
www.richardbonhamsafaris.com
www.borana.co.ke
www.kitichcamp.com
www.rekero.com
www.lewa.org
.
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