
Lorna is a native Maasai lady, born and raised in Lemek, a place in the Maasai Mara with beautiful rolling plains full of wildlife. I grew up in a pastoral society where livestock rearing is their main source of wealth and pride. I was privileged to get the best education despite many obstacles that face Maasai girls, including early marriages. Ironically, I got the best education even though my father wanted to punish my mother so that she takes care of the house and livestock alone. I started my primary at Ole Sankale Boarding Primary School and later finished my Ordinary Level (form four) at Ole Tipis Girls Secondary School. As fate could have it, I was among the lucky pioneer Maasai ladies who joined the prestigious Koiyaki Guilding School for a year and half intensive training on wildlife management and tour guiding, where I graduated in 2008 as a qualified field safari guide. I was lucky to get employed by Karen Blixen Camp almost immediately after my graduation as the first female Maasai guide in the whole of the Greater Mara Area— including the private conservancies and Maasai Mara National Reserve. I worked at Karen Blixen for eight good years where I got both local and international recognition because of my high level of visitor handling, knowledge about flora and fauna, my passion for the job, and most importantly, as a role model to the young Maasai ladies who aspire to be guides and my community as a whole. During my stay at Karen Blixen I sharpened my skills by advancing my education at Kenya Utalii college, in house training (South Africa Guides Curriculum) FAGASA. I also travelled overseas, for instance, I travelled to Botswana to learn issues regarding conservation. Currently, I operate as a Freelance Guide with my own Safari Land Cruiser, handling my own clients. I am also a member of the Maasai Mentors for Conservation where we mentor youth to conserve vultures in the Mara, which are a seriously threatened species. I am a member of Kenya Professional Safari Guide (KPSGA). “WHAT A MAN CAN DO A WOMAN CAN DO EVEN MUCH BETTER.”