Daniel and Peter are two of the guides that work at Lewa. We were not just fortunate to have them as tour guides, but I am privileged to call them my friends. Like zoo keepers on a much grander scale, they keep track of the wildlife activity at Lewa. They know how to take you just where the action is, and they know how to judge animal behavior and get you close but not too close, and the stories they can tell…! And if you're a birder... Well, you can have your field guides ready, but search not. These two can rattle off the common and scientific name, page number, and probably the plate number if you asked, of any bird you come across.

Both members of the Maasai community, they are also an excellent source of information surrounding the Maasai traditions. Peter grew up with the community that runs Il Ngwesi and was only one of a handful of people in his community to graduate from high school and finish college. He also serves on a board of trustees that helps the coordination of surrounding Maasai communities to create wildlife corridors and manage eco-tourism. Daniel is equally well schooled and helps to raise his own family as well as that of his brother's. For those of you coming to the AAZK conference at Lincoln Park in 2006, Daniel will be there in person, as this is one of his stops on a U.S. tour to educate facilities about Lewa.

--Jolene zooguru@cox.net