Lion Research Safari

This unique safari will provide you with an authentic and close-up insight into lion research in some of Kenya’s most stunning areas. Spend 4 days with a lion research expert from the Ewaso Lions with 4 nights at Sasaab Camp followed by 3 nights at Porini Lion Camp in the famous Maasai Mara in the exclusive Olare Motorogi Conservancy. Research has shown that Olare Motorogi and its neighbouring Conservancies have the highest density of wild lions in Africa. Income from tourism pays for the conservancy land to be set aside for wildlife, so your visit will directly support conservation. In addition, 5% of the total safari cost is donated directly to the Ewaso Lions project (www.ewasolions.org).

Your time will typically include early morning and evening game drives when the lions are most active, participating in monitoring and recording and can also include the following:

• Participate in Ewaso Lions tree project and Wildlife Cinema in West Gate. This involves visiting schools and also manyattas (Samburu homesteads) at night to show them wildlife films.
• Carnivore ‘call-ins’ at night playing a recorded carnivore call and using speakers to call in carnivores as a method to estimate their density.
• Engage with the community and complete questionnaires on conflict and perceptions of predators.
• Track radio-collared lions.
• Go on patrol with the Ewaso Lions scouts and help record data on predators and identify spoor tracks.
• Help record data in the core Conservation Area
• Investigate any conflict in the area, e.g. donkey killed by lion, etc…

Lion cubs near Porini Lion Camp by guest Joseph Lam

Lion conservation recently became an issue of international concern when statistics revealed that lion numbers in Africa have plummeted to between 16,000 and 45,000. The lion population has declined by 30%-50% in just over the past two decades, a reduction largely due to habitat loss and conflict with humans. The lions in the Samburu / Buffalo Springs / Shaba ecosystem of Kenya are in an extremely vulnerable situation as they live in or adjacent to areas inhabited by nomadic people. Lions and their predatory behaviour have caused great resentment among the increasing rural pastoralist populations, and this has led to increased persecution of lions – lions continue to be shot, poisoned and speared.

This unique safari will provide you with an authentic and close-up insight into lion research in some of Kenya’s most stunning areas. Spend 4 days with a lion research expert from the Ewaso Lions with 4 nights at Sasaab Camp and 3 nights at Porini Lion Camp in the famous Maasai Mara in an exclusive conservancy with several resident prides of lion.

You will have the opportunity to be involved in this crucial research and 5% of the total safari cost will be donated to the Ewaso lions project (www.ewasolions.org).

Your time will typically include early morning and evening game drives when the lions are most active, participating in monitoring and recording and can also include the following:

• Participate in Ewaso Lions tree project and Wildlife Cinema in West Gate. This involves visiting schools and also manyattas (Samburu homesteads) at night to show them wildlife films.
• Carnivore ‘call-ins’ at night playing a recorded carnivore call and using speakers to call in carnivores as a method to estimate their density.
• Engage with the community and complete questionnaires on conflict and perceptions of predators.
• Track radio-collared lions.
• Go on patrol with the Ewaso Lions scouts and help record data on predators and identify spoor tracks.
• Help record data in the core Conservation Area
• Investigate any conflict in the area, e.g. donkey killed by lion, etc…

About Ewaso Lions: Ewaso Lions takes its name from the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River (also called the Ewaso Ng’iro) which starts on the slopes of Mt Kenya and snakes its way through Laikipia and Samburu. The Ewaso (pronounced “eh-wah-so”) serves as a lifeline for the people and wildlife in the area. Ewaso Lions was formed to ensure a future for lions and other large carnivores in northern Kenya. Ewaso Lions uses scientific research and community-based outreach programmes to promote coexistence between lions and people. Ewaso Lions firmly believes that the success of lion conservation hinges on the involvement of the local people who live alongside lions.  Ewaso Lions programmes promote human-carnivore coexistence, provide education, and build local capacity for wildlife rangers and community leaders. Ewaso Lions’ core research activities focus on understanding the factors driving lion pride establishments, their associations and movements in the wild, the extent of human-lion conflict, and the impact of habitat loss in order to formulate strategies for long-term lion conservation. The research is centred in northern Kenya’s Samburu, Laikipia, and Isiolo Counties, which comprise one contiguous ecosystem. This region is home to the third largest populations of lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs in Kenya. The research covers four major land use types: community conservancies, group ranches (public lands), protected areas, and private ranches. The study area covers almost 5,000 km2 of lion habitat, which includes National Reserves (Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba), Community Conservancies (Westgate, Mpus Kutuk, Kalama, Nasuulu, and Nakupurat Gotu), and Laikipia’s private ranches. Ewaso Lions is an independent nonprofit organisation, and relies on the generous support of organisations and individuals.