Farming and its practices is a hot topic full of complications and nuances. But for sure the managers of Protected Areas, lands set aside for conservation, need to work with communities and farmers that live adjacent to their zones for a mutually beneficial future.

Not an easy task but today it’s recognized that the survival of Amboseli National Park, and the renown Amboseli elephant research centered there, is based on such land use agreements with the Maasi communities that live in this extraordinary ecosystem. We had the pleasure of meeting with some of these Maasai farmers and families several years back when we visited Kenya.

I lived in a rural community for 19 years and realize that hard work with unforgiving physical labor is required of all farmers. When a break from those routines is offered it’s essential to indulge once in a while. Here are a few photographs taken at the “Olympic Games” that our guide organized with the local Maasai communities. The young Maasai stayed up dancing and singing all the night long while the tourists tucked into our tents soon after nightfall, exhausted from the day’s activities.

Thank you to my parents-in-law for sending me and Peter on our first African Safari to Kenya- memories that are cherished.