The Laikipia Wildlife Education Centre- Kenya

The Laikipia Wilderness Education Centre (LWEC) in Kenya was established in 1993, in the memory of Kuki Gallmann's son, Emmanuelle, an adventurous and wonderful young man who loved discovering the African wilderness and its charms. It’s situated on the Ol Ari Nyiro ranch, in the Laikipia plateau, which provides a wonderful natural classroom. Anyone visiting the Centre leaves with a quest of returning once more.

The LWEC is located on Kuki Gallmann's private ranch which stands at the edge of the Great Rift Valley on the western edge of the Laikipia Plateau, in the Northern reaches of Kenya. The ranch is surrounded by settlements and subsistence farmers on three sides the ranch. This makes the ranch an 'island' for wildlife which cannot be tolerated outside by the agricultural community. The ranch provides interesting scenery where wildlife and domestic animals thrive alike. The ranch has varying wildlife, including Black Rhino and abundant population of Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland, Greater Kudu, Hyena, Aardvark, Wolves and over 370 species of birds.

The LWEC hosts groups of students, summer camp expeditions, or groups of young friends. There is a resident Environmental Education Officer at LWEC. It generally offers education to children between the ages of 12 and 22, although this is not strict and can be extended in special cases. A limited number of 10-day individual visits can be offered in advance. Powered by the sun and wind, the Centre consists of two dormitories with a total of 20 beds, separate staff rooms with four beds, toilet and shower facilities, a kitchen and a central meeting area. Every building is fashioned solely from natural materials - stone, wood and thatch - and is designed to blend into the bush.

The LWEC offers wilderness discovery activities including: hiking in the Bush with expert guides; natural history lectures; Camel rides; star gazing and overnight camping. Others include swimming in spring fed streams; bush night noise identification; identifying and preparing medicinal plants; visiting game scout posts and conservation research projects, Leopard bait or waterhole watching with infrared binoculars.

Discover the magic of Kenya and her cultures activities including: Swahili lessons; human-wildlife conflict resolution; interaction and participation with a local community school. Visit the cattle market and auction and buy locally made crafts to take home. Visit a Pokot tribal village and cattle Boma, cultural talks on the different cultures on the ranch and in Kenya. Prepare and eat local foods and experience the glow of the Samburu, the beads of the Pokot, and smile of a Meru and the charm of a market day!

LWEC was founded and is run by the Gallmann Memorial Foundation (GMF) whose aim is to create an example of how the harmonious coexistence of man and the wild can be achieved. The founder, author Kuki Gallmann says that all profits made are re-invested to providing school children with an opportunity to visit the Centre, to experience the magic of nature, most of which have never seen some wildlife. GMF offers overseas visitors the opportunity to sponsor a Kenyan student or students to accompany them in the bush. One of EA-ECOCONSULT directors worked at LWEC and can be able to advice more on LWEC and GMF.

To visit LWEC, Tel +254 733 735863,

email kagoka@avu.org.