On Thursday 26th August we attended the Passing Out Parade of ten of our rangers at Kenya Forestry College, School of Paramilitary Training. 

"In pursuit of its goals, the School endeavours to improve the quality of forest policing by providing and supporting high quality training for officers and men/women to develop their skills, knowledge and competence in Leadership, Command, Management and Community Mobilisation to the highest standards possible. This will enable them to protect and manage forests and allied resources in Kenya and elsewhere."  

The training was carried out with rangers from Mara Conservancy, Trans Mara County Council, Narok County Council, Koibatek County Council, Baringo County Council and Kapsabet Municipal Council. 

Best Trainees of the Course

Best Man All Round - Jeremiah Martim Cheruiyot: Mara Conservancy

Marksman of the Course - John Ntoika: Mara Conservancy

Best Man in Academics - John Kintai: Mara Conservancy

Best Man in Drill - James Rissa Kool: Narok County Council

Oldest Trainee - Fredfick Barsaloi Naimodu: Narok County Council

We are very proud of all our rangers who took part in the three month long training. Congratulations to J.M. Cheruiyot, J. Ntoika, J. Kintai, J.K. Semeiyoi, K.S. Lesiang'au, A.K. Bett, D.P. Kisieku, I. Ole Singai, J.O. Kosencha and W. Nailenya.

It is with great sadness and deepest regret to announce the death of one of our visitors on the 26th July. 

A party of Kenyan friends were camping at one of our private campsites when a group of armed men entered the camp in the early evening. Shots were fired leaving one man dead and two people injured. 

We immediately deployed our rangers and co-operated with the GSU, KWS and the Police. At this time it is not permitted to give any more information on the case, we have however boosted security in the area and now insist that all campers hire armed rangers during their stay. 

All of us here at the Mara Conservancy wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, and hope for a speedy recovery of those who were injured. 

Find Out More:

No Water No Life Website 

Latest News: 

Leaders Cry Foul Over Mau Evictions Daily Nation, July 11th 2010:

The Born Free Foundation sponsored Most Responsible Safari Guide Award took place yesterday and was kindly hosted by Mara West. Managers and guides from Mara West, &Beyond (Kichwa Tembo & Bateleur Camps), Olonana and Mara Siria came to the ceremony to show their support.

The Award was first introduced by Cheryl and Manny Mvula of Tribal Voice Communications to help raise guiding standards in the Mara Triangle in relation to responsible wildlife viewing etiquette. All lodges operating in the Mara Triangle were invited to nominate their most Responsible Guide for the award, and each of the short-listed guides was then subjected to two assessed game drives where they were tested according to how responsible they were towards the wildlife being viewed, the Mara ecosystem and their respect for local culture and the community – according to the Travel Foundation’s Responsible Safari Guiding guidelines.

Standards were much higher than last year, and to recognise the improvement we decided to award first and second place, followed by two runners-up:

1st Prize 

Charity Jemutai Cheruiyot; Bateleur Camp

2nd Prize 

Abdul Karim; Olonana

Runners Up

Mark Liaram; Mara West  

Timothy Kinyamal Kiok; Kichwa Tembo

Charity wins a two week guiding trip to Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, sponsored by Born Free.

Thank you to Mara Siria, Olonana, &Beyond, Kilima, Mara West and Mara Serena for taking part. Thanks also to Robin Pope Safaris, Norman Carr Safaris and Flatdogs Camp, and a big thank you also to Born Free Foundation for supporting the competition, and especially Cheryl and Manny Mvula from Tribal Voice Communications for all their hard work in making sure the competition continues with the same success. Thank you!

Next year we hope to bring responsible guiding to more of the Mara and are looking forward to expanding the competition to include Mara North Conservancy.