kenya |
|||
image : awl images |
Above : The view from Ithumba Hill
Lodge in Tsavo East National Park
|
rare ‘ Big Tuskers ’, whose huge tusks almost drag along the ground . But you ’ d be lucky to spot them : only around 20 survive , of which 10 are believed to be in Tsavo . Far easier to see are orphaned elephants in the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust ’ s sanctuary in Nairobi and the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the northern Namunyak Conservancy , both doing sterling work in rewilding rescued youngsters .
Many of Kenya ’ s 2,000 precious rhinoceroses are protected by conservation projects . Loisaba recently received 21 black rhinoceroses in the country ’ s biggest relocation project , the species having been locally extinct for almost 50 years . Neighboring conservancies Lewa and Borana took down their fences in 2014 , now sharing 250 black and white rhinoceroses between them . And in Ol Pejeta , guests are able to meet Najin and her daughter , Fatu , the last two surviving
|
northern white rhinoceroses in the world . This was also home to their famous father and grandfather , Sudan , who became the poster boy of conservation as the last male northern white . Sadly , he died of old age in 2018 . Scientists here are working to preserve the species , breaking new ground in protecting its genetics by creating an IVF baby using frozen sperm and eggs from Najin and Fatu .
HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF MY TRIP ?
Kenya ’ s conservancies allow much more freedom than government-run national parks — depending on where you stay , you can join walking safaris , boat trips and go horseback riding or even cycling . You ’ re not restricted to times on game drives either , with night drives allowing you to see the world of nocturnal species .
|
spring 2025 • 43 |