Updates
Kenya
Masai New Age Set.
This
ceremony that takes place
just every ten years. Maasai
are divided in age sets.
Their life is divided in
periods of life, each period
lasting about 10 years. As a
Maasai you become a warrior
after being circumcised. You
are welcome into the
“warrior” period by a huge
ceremony. After 10 or 12
years (the chiefs decide
about it) you become a
“senior warrior” and a new
age set of warriors is
welcomed into the community. The ceremony is
huge. “Old” warriors and “new”
warriors dance together, women
welcome their men. A sight of
400 warriors in red robes
dancing is tantalizing.
Ol Seki Mara Camp opened in July
2005 -
and is located on a stunning
site on the Koiyaki Group Ranch
to the north of the world famous
Masai Mara Game Reserve.
Situated on large, dramatic
rocks, amongst Ol Seki and
Acacia trees, the camp enjoys
glorious views over the Ol
Sabukioi River and the hidden
valley below. The camp boasts
six uniquely designed round
tents on wooden platforms taking
maximum advantage of the
stunning panoramic views. The
fully equipped, open plan
kitchen and breakfast bar
complement the elegant dining
tent with a library tent for
quiet reflection. Ol Seki has
been designed by the Allan
family with the local ecology
and environment as primary
considerations. With over 36
years of safari experience Sue
Allan and her family have
created a camp which combines
personal charm with the ultimate
in luxurious accommodation.
The Sands at Nomad - the
Ultimate Indian Ocean Retreat.
The Sands,
one of the first "Boutique
hotels' on Kenya's coast, opened
in November 2005. The
property is located on Diani
Beach, South Coast and is the
inspiration of the celebrated
local artist, Mario Scianna, who
is already renowned for his work
in creating two of the South
Coast more stylish bars, Marco's
and Mario's. The decor
offers a unique fusion of
hand-carved polished mahogany,
soaring sail work, classic
Venetian "stucco" and
traditional Swahili
architecture. The Sands
nestles in 25 acres on
indigenous coastal forest.
The hotel enjoys uninterrupted
access to one of Kenya's most
unspoilt stretches of silver
sand and aquamarine sea.
Accommodation comprises of 18
comfortable rooms, 7 exclusive
beach cottages and 12 luxurious
suites.
Responsible Tourism Award
2005 awarded to Koiyaki
Wilderness Guiding School.
The School was
chosen from amongst 640
nominations. In 2004 Ron Beaton
and others outlined their vision
to train Maasai as wilderness
guides, simultaneously creating
local income opportunities and
conservation awareness.
Understanding the dire need for
such a school, many got involved
– including Jackson Looseyia,
one of the few Maasai guides in
Kenya today and a partner in
Rekero Camp. The
students of the first class,
enrolled in June 2005, have
already all passed their Bronze
Guiding Medals, taken first aid
and driving courses, and
interned in a tourist lodge or
camp (including
Ol Seki Mara Camp and Rekero
Camp). As of this
November, ten students have
already been sponsored for May
2006; but there are 11 student
slots that still need to be
funded. The school would be
grateful for any donations, big
or small. For more information,
go to
www.koiyaki.com.
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