Terrible news from Samburu this morning. Floods washed away 4 camps. Thankfully, nobody was killed.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/873512/-/vr6ga0/-/

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/Insid...04830&cid=159&

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth...00/8549878.stm

http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/201...ing-in-samburu

To donate, to help rebuild Elephant Watch Research Center
http://www.justgiving.com/ste-research-camp-floods

It's always something... no water or too much! Land so dry it can't absorb the wet. And, to happen early in the morning when many sleeping.

It's devastating; last time I was there (June 2009) the river was dry. Ellies were digging for water! Now this. As if Kenya needs more set-backs.

Iain Douglas-Hamilton on Facebook: Thank you all so much for your kind and encouraging words. We will keep updating and hopefully post some photos. The damage and loss is beyond belief but we continue to thank our stars that no lives were lost in these devastating floods. Those of you that have already sent in donations, we sincerely thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. We know the road ahead of us is a difficult one but we have faith that with your support, we shall slowly reconstruct. Keep checking our website too for more updates. Ashe Oleng!

www.savetheelephants.org

That's terrible news, but thank you for posting this. So sad.

Terrible news. Was just reading yesterday about the village in Uganda hit by a terrible mudslide.

Here is a posting of the Kenyan government update on the situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=2vRcJ0XHTYU

Thank you Old Dude,
This is unbeleivable! Like a night mare!!!

Samburu Intrepids will be closed for 2-3 months due to flood damage: http://www.fazendinportfolio.com/press/release/91

A report from KATO states that the bridge connecting Buffalo Springs and Samburu National Reserves is confirmed to be IMPASSABLE. Whereas the bridge itself is intact, the road leading to the bridge on both sides has been washed away. Anyone wishing to connect between the two Reserves will have to go round to Archers Post Gate.

The following properties are reported as having been affected by the flooding. Please note that the Lodges were affected to varying extents (some more than others) and you will need to re-confirm any bookings you have:

i. Samburu Serena
ii. Samburu Ashnil
iii. Samburu Intrepids
iv. Atua Enkop
v. Sentrim Camp
vi. Elephant Watch
vii. Larsons
viii. Samburu Lodge

The situation continues to be monitored and up developments will be communicated.

SaSaab Camp had damage to their "family" cottage and are currently hosting guests that were displaced elsewhere. Can well understand why Saruni picked the location on top of a very very large kopje... nothing up there but the camp, though a nearby usually very dry riverbed on the conservancy floor is probably flowing high and wild.

The transport between Buffalo Springs/Samburu via Archer's Post can take 3/hrs.

Atua Enkop is Elephant Bedroom

... and there's still more rain forecasted

Thanks Sandi for the additional information. I was wondering about Elephant Bedroom. Why 2 names?

Here are some pictures from today: http://ewasolions.wildlifedirect.org...-samburu-flood

safarimama -

Atua Enkop has three (3) camps:
- "Elephant Bedroom" at Samburu,
- "Mbweha" at Lake Nakuru and
- "Tipilikwani" in the Mara

Thanks Sandi,
Now I get it.

Here's a good article with links and video clips of the devastation in Samburu: http://www.elephantvoices.org/news-m...by-floods.html