187,200 Hours of Enriching Lives and Counting!

As we celebrate our 40th year, we would like to share some stories about the people and history of Big Five. 

In July 1982, Mahen, his wife Usha and their five-year-old son, Ashish, set out from Nairobi on a four-hour drive through the country over rough, bumpy roads to Lake Baringo in northern Kenya in the Rift Valley.  They carried with them bottles of champagne carefully wrapped to protect them from breaking.

These were to be presented to Mrs. Sigrist and her son Ernest.  Mrs. Sigrist came to Kenya every July from 1976 to 1984 to celebrate her birthday with the people and animals of Africa.

And, this year, 1982, was even more special — Mrs. Sigrist was there to celebrate her 80th birthday!

“We always called her Mama Sigrist,”  Mahen recalls. “I did not want to miss such a special event for our friend and loyal guest.  I never forgot the look on her face as she stepped onto the verandah of the lounge and spotted me and my family.  She started to cry.  It was very moving to me.”

“I have met such wonderful people like Mama Sigrist during my life that I feel so blessed that I have been able to follow my dream.