Category Archives: Katie Losey

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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JD, Katie, Brooke, and Alexis meet the baby elephants!

JD, Katie, Brooke, and Alexis meet the baby elephants!

I was introduced to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) earlier this year as I planned my trip to East Africa, and I ended up helping out a bit with their February 25th benefit in SoHo. The more I learned about the organization, the more enthralled I was by their mission. DSWT is a Kenya-based non-profit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction into the wild of orphaned elephants and rhinos. During my recent visit to Kenya, I had the privilege of visiting their orphaned elephant nursery in Nairobi National Park.

Most of the resident elephants were made orphans from poaching, which unfortunately remains all too common. As a substitute for their parents, trained locals have stepped up to the plate to help the babies. Known among the DSWT team as Elephant Keepers, their role in each orphan’s life is vital: around the clock support to provide whatever they need, from a warm bottle in the middle of the night to an afternoon stroll with their pachyderm pals. The Keepers actually room with “their” baby elephant during their shift! As heartbreaking as the orphans’ stories were, the emotional bond and community support they receive through DSWT left us feeling hopeful about their futures. We even signed up as sponsors of the little one we connected to the most!

As I continued along my East Africa circuit, Absolute Travel’s Sasha Lehman and Leslie Overton attended DSWT’s New York City benefit. Supporters from the tri-state area braved the epic “snow-pocalypse” blizzard to attend the event at the Wild Horses of Sable Island Gallery in SoHo. Despite the record-breaking snowfall, the room was packed. The energy and cocktails flowed as Deirdre Featherstone of Featherstone Design powered the live auction and spurred on the generous crowd; the trip that Absolute Travel donated was quickly snatched up. Hostess Kristin Davis (from Sex and the City fame) offered heartfelt words about her personal experience at the orphanage. I’m sure by the end of the night, most of the attendees were planning their own journeys to Kenya, but those that are not able to get there can rest assured that despite the hardships that these animals face, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is taking good care of them. -Katie

Migrations…

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Wildebeest in the Great Migration

Wildebeest in the Great Migration

Absolute Travel’s Katie Losey and Brooke Garnett are currently traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. They are sending us updates from the road…

Living in New York City means that I often tend to prioritize efficiency and speed, but the opportunities I’ve had to take time for myself the past few days has really changed my perspective. I’m not alone: East Africa’s natural wonder seems to draw this reaction out of every member of our little group and we’ve all appreciated the chance to slow down to take it all in.

As we carved our way through Tanzania‘s Serengeti National Park, Ngorogoro Crater and Grumeti Reserve, we became so much more tuned in to our surroundings: lion cubs tackled their siblings to prep for future hunting days; newborn wildebeest, only days old, camoflauged themselves under the bearded necks of their mothers; a young zebra lost in the migration stared at our vehicle blankly as she awaited the inevitable; a proud bird tried out his best feathery strut as he tried to impress the local ladies. One cannot help but reflect on the perfection of the cycle of life when watching it up close. Although there were moments when it was hard to watch the action that unfolded before our eyes, with each day we could appreciate more that each layer of this delicate system has a part to play in the rhythm of life.

And our days were never complete without a stop on the open plains to sip on a refreshing gin and tonic or pinot grigio to rehash the day’s sights. In fact, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that the lodges we have been staying at have contributed a lot to our perfect days — soaking in a private plunge pool overlooking Grumeti’s panoramic plains at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, relaxing under the stars at Lemala Ndutu’s Tented Camp, or playing a tennis match at sunset (on a red clay court made of the dirt from abandoned termite mounds!) at Singita Sabora Tented Camp were moments hard to top.

We’ve just arrived at Vamizi Island, Mozambique, for the last part of this amazing journey. The Indian Ocean has welcomed us with warm gentle waves, and the casually chic villas are the perfect spot to take it all in and reflect, once again, on the bounty of natural beauty around us and our good fortune to be able to experience it all. -Katie

Notes from the Road: Kenya

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Absolute Travel’s Katie Losey and Brooke Garnett are currently traveling in Tanzania and Kenya. They are sending us updates from the road…

It is a challenge to stand out in New York City, but during November’s marathon, I couldn’t help but notice two Maasai runners in their traditional bright blue and red shukas. Little did I know that only a few months later I would reunite with them on their home turf – and then I would be the one who stood out!

One of the Maasai runners from the marathon!

One of the Maasai runners from the marathon!

Campi ya Kanzi is nestled between the Chyulu Hills and Amboseli and Tsavo West National Parks, with dramatic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro from its 280,000 acres. This unique project is the vision of Italian husband and wife team Luca Belpietro and Anotella Bonomi, whose goal was to build a partnership with the local Maasai as a way to protect their cultural heritage and local wildlife. Luca’s exposure to Kenya began when he was a little boy accompanying his father on hunting expeditions in eastern Africa. Over time, his purpose for being there evolved and he dedicated his work to protecting the fragile ecosystems and demonstrating that conservation is a means of profitable survival. Their passion for and knowledge of this corner of the world was very evident to us, and certainly was recognized among the people they now call their neighbors.

View from Campi ya Kanzi

View from Campi ya Kanzi

Campi ya Kanzi is not trying to be a cultural immersion program, but we all left with a much better appreciation for traditional Maasai life. And one of our traveling companions, JD, spent the afternoon running alongside our guide Parashi to his village. It turns out that they had finished the NYC marathon within four minutes of each other just months before!

We are already planning our Maasai friends’ visit to our home turf when they return to New York next year!

- Katie (and Brooke)