Governors' Camp Collection News from the Lakes and Volcanos November / December 2011

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

There are rumors of Umubano producing a new offspring but this still has to beconfirmed. We will also be welcoming Dawn, the replacement Gorilla Vet for Jan Ramer who will be leaving us in December. All the Gorilla families are still pleasing our guests with unbelievable sightings and short treks as the young bamboo shoots on the park's periphery are still their food of choice.   Back in the lodge our two hearing impaired students are thriving in the kitchen. The rest of the lodge staff have taken them under their wing and are learning sign language so everybody seems to be benefitting from this association. As for our 4 high school students, they have now progressed to their 2nd department in the lodge, so they are now halfway through their work experience program. We have kicked off the festive season with a very well received traditional Thanks Giving dinner which our guests from various nationalities enjoyed.  We are now looking forward to decorating for Christmas. Read More

Mfangano island Camp News

During November to December, rainfall was exceptionally high. We recorded 4 inches in one day and a total of 11 inches over the month. In turn the lake has also risen by over a foot since late September due for the most part to heavy precipitation in the Lake Victoria basin and its several feeder rivers. Fortunately rainfall is almost always at night leaving glorious sunshine for any daytime activities. On the morning after the storm of 25^th November all of the island's seasonal streams and waterfalls sprung to life for the first time (for many) in 15 months, providing a visual treat for visitors and bountiful catches of fish for local fishermen, who set traditional Luo reed traps and nets at the mouths of these inlets to catch fish which arrive to feed on the fresh plankton, algae, detritus and insects from the top of Mount Kwitutu. Read More

Loldia House News

The last months at Loldia has been very wet amongst other things. The lake has come up considerably, giving us wonderful views out towards Mount Longonot. The lawns are a beautiful bright emerald green and there is a profusion of vivid colours with flowers, butterflies and birds everywhere. It's our own little corner of paradise! An exciting new development in our area is the initiative to fence a section of the Mau Eburu Forest that is close to us. This will mean better protection for this very important catchment area which still supports a number of rare Mountain Bongo. The initiative is headed by Rhino Ark, Kenya Wildlife Services and Kenyan Forestry Services. The Eburu community will benefit directly by means of employment in erection of the fence and through employment with future eco-tourism ventures one fencing is completed. The project is due to start early next year. Read More