MARATHON IN WILDERNESS!

Safaricom Lewa marathon. Kenya (26th June 2010)

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was set up many years ago by a family that owned private land together with Conservationists and Philanthropists who got concerned with the fast dwindling numbers of the “Black Rhino” in Kenya and across Africa due to massive poaching for their precious horns. They set up the sanctuary, then recruited Game trackers, Veterinarians among other personnel who went on to track down, round up and relocate every Black Rhino in that part of Northern Kenya to a protected area. The founders of this conservancy adopted a community based style of wildlife conservation and this approach is what gave birth to the Lewa Marathon over 11 years ago. This marathon is run in June every year, since 1999 in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, with the funds raised invested in different projects geared towards benefitting sustainable development, education, health care for the communities living around and wildlife conservancy.

Lewa Marathon apart from being unique in nature (With the Giraffe & other animals being spectators!) is definitely one of Africa’s and the world’s toughest marathons that attracts over 1000 partcipants from both amateur and professional ranks that would include big names in the International world of athletics. The race which starts at 7 am has 3 entry categories, the first being the Full Marathon which is an individual event, then the second is the Half Marathon- a team event, allowing between 5-10 members. There is another special category for Children (5 km fun race for ages 10-14) and Spectators. The marathon covers a 21 km course on dirt roads that goes through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and cuts across savannah plains, along river banks and acacia woodland with the beautiful Mt. Kenya in the background. The Prices of a Medal and a Goody bag for all who participate are given at a ceremony near the headquaters at 1230 pm.



Safety of the runners is assured by the professionally trained Kenya Wildlife Rangers who are deployed along route course at intervals plus Medical support provided by staff backed by Flying Doctors. The Conservancy offers accommodation in 3 categories, for this occasion – Self catering camp site where competitors and spectators bring all camping equipment and their food, Safaricom Village camp and Maridadi camp with the latter 2 offering Camping equipment inclusive of a full English breakfast, Buffet Lunch and a 3 course evening meal. The entry whether to run or watch is very competitive, booking well in advance is advised.

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BABY GORILLA NAMING CEREMONY

Kwita Izina- Rwanda (Gorilla baby naming ceremony) 29thMay- 5th June 2010
The Banyarwanda have for centuries had the tradition of holding a feast to welcome a newly born baby into the community, Kwita Izina Ceremony which literally means “to give a name” was adopted by ORTPN (Rwanda Tourism and National Parks Office) to help in promoting awareness about the conservation of the endangered Species of Mountain Gorillas, and this saw the first event launched, officially in 2005 by the President Kagame, naming the first known mountain twin baby gorillas ever to survive. It has gone on to become a top annual event held in June at the foothills of Virunga mountains to name baby gorillas born in their habitat for the past 1 year and has increasingly become an attraction to tourists, environmentalists and even prominent world celebrities who get to enjoy a week loaded with activities that range from cultural dances, cycle race to a trip across the country’s beautiful scenery. The World Environmental Day of this year that will be commemorated in Rwanda on the 5th June and see visitors coming from all over the world has been slated to coincide with the naming ceremony this year at Kinigi has seen at least 12 baby gorillas identified for the climax of the celebration on the final day of the festivities.

This year’s ceremony will be kicked off with Community work (Umganda) as from the 29th May, followed by Kwita Izina National Cycling Tour in the 2nd event(30thMay-1st June) aimed at sensitizing the community on environmental conservation with a public campaign for environment management followed by an exhibition of environment friendly products. The 3rd event(2nd June) will be the linking of Kwita Izina to the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa, with a Football match organized for the day. There will be on day 4(3rd of June) an Environment and Conservation Conference, where Rwanda’s willingness and efforts to manage the environment and conserve Gorillas will be demonstrated.



Day 5 (4th june) will see RDB (Rwanda Development Board)commissioning community projects set up by proceeds from last years ceremony, that include schools, hospitals & income generating activities taken up by self confessed former poachers(of gorillas) - Citizens will be joined by dignitaries in a tree planting ceremony and launch of new projects around Volcanoes National Park. The climax of the day will be Cultural extravaganza of the “Intore Dance” & “Ikinimba” in celebration of the new born baby gorillas.

Day 6- The actual day of the naming ceremony, and since it coincides with when Rwanda will for the first time host World Environmental Day, the events have given rise to the theme “Raising global awareness of biodiversity conservation as we give names to our baby gorillas”. This year’s event will also be graced by guests from the International community and Regional leadership, the private sector, local community, renowned conservationists and the Rwandan leadership. It’s an occasion well worth planning for in the future if you can’t make it this time around.

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THE BEST EVENTS E.A.C HAS TO OFFER.

The East African Community partner states which comprises of 5 countries i.e Tanzania (& Zanzibar), Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi passed a Bill in their Regional Assembly (EALA) that seeks to establish a cooperation framework to manage Tourism and Wildlife resources. Top on their agenda is to market and sell the region as a single Tourist Block and also to introduce and operationalise by July 2010 a single Tourist Visa for the whole region, so as to encourage and make easy cross border visits. This is indeed good news for the players in the Tourism industry and visitors as the region has a lot to offer that is yet to be discovered and exploited.

Besides what’s been known to both new and regular visitors to the region, like wildlife and the sandy beaches, there is a very rich variety of activities and events that go on through out the year many of which are annual events. The list would include Cultural festivals, wide range of sport competitions, Trade fairs/Exhibitions, Beach activities/sports, Wildlife and Entertainments events. This Blog aims to inform people who are intending to visit any part of the 5 East African Community states and those who simply,are curious to know what's happening, whether from within the region or from outside, of what’s happening where they are headed so that they may create time/plan and enjoy a lot more of what the area has to offer. Secondly there are many wonderful places with great potential hidden away because of non exposure, that are just waiting to be discovered by visitors just like you! Such will be the focus of the Blog. Thanks and watch out for more posts .