Little Known Samburu Place Lewis Hamilton Visited In Kenya Tour
Hamilton shared that he paid a visit to Samburu County whereby he expressed his love for animals by posing for photos with baby giraffes and elephants.
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Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton began disclosing more details of his visit to Kenya, which was since Sunday, August 7 kept largely a secret.
On Sunday, August 14, Hamilton shared that he paid a visit to Samburu County whereby he expressed his love for animals by posing for photos with baby giraffes and elephants.
However, as has been the norm with visiting global superstars, it was unclear whether or not he adopted any of the animals.
At the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), one of Africa’s oldest wildlife charities and a leading conservation organisation, visiting tourists and Kenyans are allowed to adopt an orphan elephant, rhino or giraffe for only USD50 (Ksh5,977.50 in current exchange rates).
Hamilton visited the Reteti Animal Sanctuary in Samburu and showed appreciation to its hosts as well as its work to rescue research and conservation.
"They're the first indigenous, community-owned and run sanctuary in Africa and the work they do for these animals should be an inspiration to us all.
"They take in orphaned animals who likely wouldn’t make it on their own and release them back into the wild when they’re strong enough. This was a truly centring experience, one that reinforces that we all share this planet.
"We’re not above animals, we’re with them. More often, we’re guests in their homes. Every day in the motherland is more beautiful than the last. Much love, Kenya," he wrote.
Reteti Sanctuary Profile
According to details on its official website, Reteti is a Samburu community-owned elephant sanctuary that takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim to release them back into the wild herds adjoining Reteti.
This is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across Northern Kenya; a movement that is growing new economies, transforming lives and conserving natural resources.
Between 10 and 25 elephant calves are rescued in Northern Kenya each year. Elephant calves in Northern Kenya are orphaned or abandoned due to drought, man-made wells, human-wildlife conflict and natural mortality and for this purpose, the sanctuary was established in response to demands from the local community.
"The Kenya Wildlife Service and Samburu County Government have promoted the establishment of the new Sanctuary, recognising the wish of the local community to retain their elephants within Samburu County and seeing local communities taking a lead in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing elephants within their home range," it states.
The Reteti elephant keepers are all drawn from the indigenous Samburu community, specifically within Namunyak Conservancy. The Samburu have been living alongside wildlife for thousands of years and have deep respect for elephants with whom they share the land and its resources.
The keepers have been formally trained in the care, rehabilitation and release of elephant calves.
Adopting an elephant
Reteti offers visitors a chance to adopt an orphaned or abandoned elephant calf, with support going to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the rehabilitation and release of the Big Five animals. It costs a minimum donation of Ksh5,977.50 (USD50), similar to Sheldrick, and is payable every year.
Other breakdown costs include Ksh1,195 for a bottle of milk, Ksh2,988 for two bed-time blankets, Ksh9,564 for an elephant's milk for one day, Ksh14,943 for an elephant's care for one day, Ksh28,692 for an elephant's milk for three days and Ksh68,741 for a week's veterinarian and medical bills.
Earlier the renowned F1 driver was in Rwanda where he enjoyed the country’s nature. He was also in Namibia.
The British driver, who is currently racing for Team Mercedes, is enjoying the summer break of the 2022 F1 season, which resumes with the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps on August 26-28, which kicks off the final nine races held over the next 12 weeks. The season concludes with the Abu Dhabi GP on November 18-20, just before the start of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
Hamilton's plans to have one of Kenya's most followed sports brought to Africa could be on the brink of being a reality as the sport could return to South Africa on its calendar as early as next year. Reports indicate that if all goes well, F1 could return to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, which last hosted Formula 1 for 21 races, including its last one in 1993.
