Big Five – Feed
This dispatch highlights our journey across the equator and northward, and I must begin by saying that this has been much more than just a safari. This year’s adventure started in Nairobi before heading to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the home of the last two Northern White Rhinos in existence. I had a specific reason for making this trip this year.
This was the area I frequented as a child, long before the conservancy existed, riding shotgun in my father’s Mitsubishi Sapporo—a car that I believe sparked my passion for automobiles. When the conservancy was established, I remember returning several more times, this time with the first driver guide hired by Big Five, John Kimani. To me and many others, John was a hero, not just because of his infectious laugh, but because he could drive anything with four wheels anywhere it seemed impossible. It all began with taking one of our old microbuses through the muddy trails of Ol Pejeta, back before 4WDs were available, and managing to make it through even with two flat tires that had to be changed. But the achievement that truly earned him a place in my personal hall of fame was when he drove a beat-up Toyota Corolla across a semi-dry lake in central Kenya.
What unfolded during this visit was entirely unplanned. It began with the camp manager at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp. It’s rare to meet someone and, within the first few minutes, realize that you’d crossed paths decades ago and immediately pick up right where you left off. Sushil, the camp manager, has since become a highly regarded photographer, with his work showcased in numerous public forums. As we caught up on family and life, we discovered that our shared passion for authentic safaris and conservation had brought us back together. It felt like reconnecting with an old childhood friend.
One of my favorite experiences during this trip was taking a group of incredible advisors and clients to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, one of the few truly community-run sanctuaries in Africa, and one of the most successful examples of elephant conservation through the local Samburu communities. It’s a shining example of the conservancy model that Big Five has championed from the start. Now, I know there’s a popular orphanage in Nairobi, and anyone who has traveled with me or knows me understands how I feel about it, especially after the founder, whom I admired as a teenager, passed away a few years ago. When it comes to conservation, though, another revelation occurred that I truly believe was my father’s influence at work. While visiting the holding area of the last two Northern White Rhinos, our guide Zacharia began talking about his career, which spans over 20 years. As I began to connect the dates and events with him, it hit me. When the center first opened, I was here with my father, visiting with Zacharia’s father who was our guide! How do you even plan something like that?
Oh, and of course, we also had some incredible game drives. Stay tuned for the next dispatch and enjoy this one!
