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GATAB - NARRAIOCA SUPUKO CAMPSITE
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THE STORY
Research
Petr and David came first to Kenya in 1996 and fell in love with this wonderful country at first sight. In the following years, they have undertaken many expeditions to different regions in Kenya (and neighbouring Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia), originally with the primary focus on research on the distribution, natural history and parasitology of reptiles.
Exploration
This passion motivated them to reach very remote areas and do many exciting discoveries in a quite adventurous way. They were driving hundreds of kilometres off road with jeeps, they crossed the deserts on feet with camels, they climbed high mountains...
Fascination and Integration
On all of these safaris, the beautiful, hospital and proud local people assisted them and tought them a lot about their lives, beliefs and traditions. Later, they were not considered muzungus any more but found very good friends and alies among the individual tribes, especially the Samburu.
They were called Deevit Daktari (derived from the fact, David is doctor of veterinary medicine) and Pita Narraraioc (derived from the fact, Petr is as biologist “obsessed” with chameleons).
Discovery
One of the primary reasons why David and Petr came to Gatab was their hypothesis, there might be an undescribed species of chameleon living here. This hypothesis has been confirmed and the discovery of a new chameleon, endemic to Mt.Kulal only has been made subject to both scientific and popular publications including books.
Initiation
The close friendship with Shukri Lasapicho, a Samburu man, who helped us on many adventurous trips as guide, interpreter and great friend, together with love and respect to local people gave the impulse to an idea to build a campsite in Gatab. And this happened.
Construction
The campsite is used by occasional travelers, explorers and tourists and serves as base for research activities all around this region. It is built in traditional Samburu style in order to fit in the region perfectly and to give the visitors the chance to feel traditional Samburu lifestyle. It is run by Shukri and his family.
Name and Preservation
Its name Narraioca Supuko Campsite is derived from the local Samburu words Narraioc (chameleon) and Supuko (paradise), symbolizing the first reason for us to came here and the fact, this area is so beautiful and symbolizing also our activities, that hopefully will contribute to the preservation of the beauty of this part of the world for the generations to come.
Conservation
Originally, the campsite plot was a badly deforested and up to root level grazed hill. Due to undertaken conservation measures, we have dense grass and bush vegetation now and preserve some dwarfed but still thriving local trees. The campsite is serving as source of seeds for the montane grassland all around and attracts amazingly diverse insect- and bird-life.
