Lekurruki Conservancy

Ethnicity:

Our people are predominantly Mukogodo Maasai who were historically hunter gatherers and bee keepers, but assimilation with the neighboring pastoralist tribes have meant that our community have now adopted the pastoralist way of life.

Land area and ownership:

Lekurruki Group Ranch, Community Land. Total area 15,872 hectares, core conservation area 2,135 hectares and adjacent buffer zone 2,064 hectares.

Natural assets Water resources:

The main water sources are springs, shallow wells and sand dams. The springs are found around Rere, Ltirim Lesakui, Nadung’oru, Makilisia, Losikiria, Lotana, Lolera, Tereikwe, Tapapo, Losos, Shuta and Siati. The shallow wells are found along the Ngare Ndare River, Sieku, Murkuta, Nolauri Mutal and Nolgweita. The sand dams are in Ngare ndare lugga (Nyongoni, Old Picnic and Nesoit) Naimarlal lugga (New Picnic, Keremo, Nolasurai and road crossing).

Trees and forest products:

The lush indigenous forest of Mukogodo borders the vast plains of Nadung’oru, dotted with Acacia and Newtonia trees. The conservancy encompasses portions of the forest, giving it a unique diversity of habitats and species. The main tree species in the lowland areas include Ltepes (Acacia tortilis), Lchurai (Acacia reficiens) and in the forested areas Lmarguat (Croton megalocarpus), Ltarakuai (Juniperas procera), Losesiai (Sandal wood), Lorien (Olea Africana,) Loimugi (Newtonia buchananii), Olbilii (Leonotis sp.) and Lauo (Dombeya sp.)

The People

The shareholders of Lekurruki have set aside 60,000 acres for conservation and the wildlife is already returning to the area. The people are now living on the Andanguru Plain, which is more suited to their now sedentary lifestyle. While traditional land use is still maintained, the introduction of tourism means that the dependence of the Maasai on livestock will be reduced. Profits from the lodge are divided amongst the local community and will help to support the local households, schools, water supplies and other group ranch operations.

The wildlife

Wildlife: Lekurruki is also surrounded by three other community conservancies Ol Donyiro, Leparua and Il Ngwesi making it an important wildlife corridor. Key wildlife species include elephants, giraffes, lions, Grevy’s zebras, common zebras, elands, lesser and greater kudus, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, buffaloes, warthogs among others, and a diversity of bird species. Grassland: During the dry season Lekurruki community members graze their livestock around Melita, Nasikor, Lolbangi, Ltirim Lesakui, Porowet, Rere, Losos and Pejeto and during the wet season community members graze their livestock around the settlement areas of Naimarlal, Sieku and the Nadung’oru plains adjacent to the Mukogogo forest. The Conservancy Grazing Committee governs community grazing patterns though these are highly disrupted by encroachment by livestock from the neighboring community. Physical assets Roads: All the roads within Lekurruki Conservancy are murram/earth roads which are sometimes impassible during rains, particularly at lugga crossings. The main roads are from Nadung’oru plains through Mukogodo forest to Tassia Lodge; to Isiolo from Tassia lodge after crossing Ngare Ndare River; from Nadung’oru plains to Sieku; and from Tassia lodge through Lba oibor to Kipsing. Airstrips: Lekurruki Conservancy has one airstrip 3kms from Tassia lodge. There is also a flat surface on top of Losos hill that helicopters land on. Infrastructure: this includes Tassia lodge, Lekurruki Conservancy Headquarters, Lekurruki Dispensary and Sieku Primary school/churches/ shops within Nadung’oru.