Maasai Centre for Field Studies

Facilities

The Centre can accommodate up to 50 visitors. Accommodation at the centre consists of large 'walk-in' sized canvas tents on solid bases sheltered by a permanent wooden framework with a thatched roof. Each tent sleeps up to three people on comfortable foam mattresses on beds. Mosquito nets are provided. Each of these 'cottages' has a veranda, laundry rack, tables, directors' chairs and lighting. We also have chalet style accomodation fronting onto views of mount Kilimanjaro.

There is a large collective relaxation area with sofas and drinks available 24 hours a day. We are also in the process of building a small shop.

The centre is equipped with a large lecture space as well as a library with research materials relevant to the area as well as more general texts pertinent to all aspects of this part of Africa. The centre is also equipped with study spaces and with computing facilities.

The English-speaking staff are experienced teachers about Maasai culture as well as being wildlife guides and experienced academic researchers in their own right. All staff employed at the Maasai Centre are Kisonko Maasai, and have lived in and around Kuku throughout their lives. As a result they offer unique and unparalleled insights into local issues. The academic trustees of the Centre are professional academic experts on the area at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK.

Showers are provided by mains water. Toilets are compost type 'choos' which are no different from normal facilities except you don't press a button to flush gallons of water away! The accommodation and facilities are comparable with those provided on safari-type tourism excursions.

All catering and food preparation facilities are to professional standards in purpose built areas. The communal dining area is in a massive banda similar in construction to the accommodation.

The centre is in a very pleasant and neighbourly community, nevertheless, more through acknowledgement of the fact that it's not a great idea to bump into a hippo at night, the centre is fully secure with a 2 metre fence surrounding the entire site. The Centre has a team of local Maasai patrol guards - askaris - who make sure the fire never goes out at night and any unwanted visiting baboons in search of sandwiches are shown the exit!

Medical facilities. The nearest doctor is in Kimana 7 kilometres (3 miles) away. There is a hospital in Oloitokitok (20km) and the flying doctor can land at Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary airstrip (4km) if required. Mobile phones work well at the centre via the Kencell network.