We were lucky this season yet again to host Dr. Cheryl Mvula and her husband Manny Mvula at Kichwa Tembo camp. Their main objective of their visit was to conduct responsible guiding workshops at Kichwa on the 16th and 17th at Mara Serena lodge.

Dr. Cheryl Mvula and Manny Mvula.

The first day saw us at Kichwa where the workshop started at 10.00 am with an attendance of 27 guides drawned from Kichwa and Mpata safari club. Olonana this time did not send their guides due to work pressure. Little Governors, Mara Siria, Kilima camp, Mara Timbo and Sidai Balloon did not attend reasons not given. At Serena the following day the turn out was very low, only 8 guides  attended. The Chief Game Warden and the manager also attended. I represented  Mara Conservancy in all the days and presented the new park rules and also answered all questions regarding our role in the park. She was impressed with the first day turnout but the scond day was almost cancelled, due to poor turnout. Both the Chief Game Warden and the Manager persuaded her to continue with the workshop.

From r to l Gimo, Kimojino, Nampaso and Naitoi listening attentively.

On her opening remarks, she explained the need for all the guides and visitors visiting all the protected areas around the country to be more responsible. It is everyone's responsibility to observe the rules not only the rangers. She took us through the training material ( slides scenes ), which really showed how irresponsible behaviour can ruin our guests safaris. Not only our guests' safari ruined, also the animals we intend to show them are so much stressed. Their life cycles are fast changing, with the fragile ones disappearing from the ecosystems they once live. The vegetation which is the backborn of the survival of all the animals is being destroyed. Habitats and important breeding areas are disappearing at alarming rates due to irresponsible behaviour.

 Manny Mvula bringing the smaller things in the bush to life.

All the above are attributed to the guides' failure  to be sensitive and responsible. They should have the knowledge to manage effectively their guests' expectations and be in total control of the safari.They should also brief their guests accordingly and bring them on board, and make them understand their role in conservation. They should positively make them know of the park rules and appreciate them.  They and the park rangers must work together as one and address all issues as one community

In all the workshops, cases of impunity were sighted. Some of the rangers while guiding guests in the reserve do not follow the rules. Also private camping safari groups are seen most of the time in the absence of rangers at sightings, do violate the park rules. Both these two parties are seen to be the root cause of all bad behaviour in the reserve. They drive too close to animals and drive off road alot. So the park rules must be enforced consistenly to everyone.

Guides keenly follow the presentations.

All the guides were trianed to be able to bring the smaller things in the bush to life, so as to stop being over reliance on the big five animals. Many visiting guests would like to know and learn many things in the wild, but they never had the chance because their guides are unable to present them. Our guides are viewed to be lazy and only depend on their radios to locate animals. This behaviour causes overcrowding at big cats sightings. The guides were informed that their colleages in other tourist destinations like Zambia and South Africa only use radios for emergency reasons, not to advertise animals. So if they contnue with this behaviour, they soon or later loose tourists to other destinations.

Dr. Cheryl giving her final presentation