My big project for 2015 is
Walking with the Maasai; a one month walk across the Maasai lands of Kenya that
will result in a books, photographic projects and a speaking tour.
Over the
course of May and June 2015 a Maasai companion, Josphat Mako, and I shall walk
around 200km across a part of Kenya’s Maasai lands. The walk begins from the
highest point of the remote, forested and little visited Loita Hills before
heading westwards to the edge of the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Skirting around the edge of the reserve we will walk through several of the
private and community conservancies (essentially private game reserves) before
finishing at the foot of the Oloololo Escarpment at the western edge of the
Mara North conservancy.
The point
of this project is not so much the walk itself but rather to get to know the
Maasai and the landscapes and animals they live with. There’s no set in stone
route and there will be numerous deviations and diversions in order to take in
as many interesting encounters as possible.
Along the
way I will visit and sleep in Maasai villages and spend as much time as
possible with the Maasai learning what I can about their culture and
contemporary lifestyles. But it’s not all going to be about the Maasai. By
walking at a leisurely pace I am hoping to also understand something of the
landscapes and wildlife of the region. Nights when I’m not a guest of the
Maasai will see us camping in the bush with the animals or, around the Masai
Mara itself, even visiting and staying in safari camps. The end result will be
for me to gain a more in-depth understanding of contemporary Maasai lifestyle
and the impact of 21st century
life, conservation, political pressures and tourism on them.
For more
on this project please see and follow the dedicated website and blog: www.walkingwiththemaasai.com
And like
the dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walking-with-the-Maasai/421479961339808?ref=hl
Please
also follow the progress of the walk on Twitter: @StuartButler2 and Instagram: stuartbutler1974
