In 2003 WTW set up a simple rehabilitation facility where sick turtles can be cared for and rehabilitated back into the wild. This is the only one of its kind in East AFrica. Each year WTW is brought sick and injured turtles, which previously we were unable to treat. WTW has linked up with  local and international experts to provide the necessary medical advice.

Open week Days and Saturday mornings 9.30 – 12.00hrs 14.30 – 16.00hrs

Joannis and Daniela have been privileged to rescue a wounded elephant. After spotting it during a game drive in Savannah, they advised David, the owner of the Lualenyi Camp, who immediately alerted the organization “The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust” and the veterinarians of the KWS. The emotion in their words was really contagious.

“It was an experience that I will carry forever in my heart” tells Joannis “we have seen the shot of anesthetic dart and seen the elephant lie down on the ground. The vet turned the big ear to protect the eye from light, while others constantly bathed the body to lower the temperature; the animal breathed freely through a branch that held the trunk raised.”

“We watched in disbelief the vet extracting a 20cm Kamba Tribe arrow from the big paw of this elephant, while we did what we could in order to save the life of this wonderful mammal, continuously wetting the ears, stroking the skin rough like rock, the tusks, the tail and the smooth trunk. Occasionally there was a startled gasp, but it was difficult for us to break away from this wounded creature. ”

The operation was over, and after giving him a whole bottle of antibiotics, the vet sent us away to inject the antidote.
“I cannot describe the emotion I felt when seeing the 4 or 5 ton elephant to stand up on his feet and stagger away, continuing his life. It ‘was moving.”
Thanks to David of Lualenyi Camp and Dr. Geremiah Poghon the KWS for their work, and Joannis and Daniela who shared with us this adventure of theirs in the African savannah.

Often Lonno Lodge customers ask us information about the type of mold used to create these decorations; in fact no such a tool is provided, but only a small piece of wood with which you draw the construction lines and a small trowel to carve the mortar, and of course a great craftsmanship.

The secret lies in the plaster, applied in several layers on successive days, and carved from time to time when it is still sufficiently plastic. The plaster is a mixture of fine sand and lime. In Lonno Lodge we have also added coral dust, to get as closer as possible to the tradition that included also crushed shells to increase hardness.

Some old rituals were also associated to “zidaka”, such as marriage. When the wedding day was approaching, they began working at carving the stucco, and this is known in Swahili as “fola la Wazo” or “fola la kuwaza “, the stucco’s feast.

These niches were used to expose the Chinese ceramics and European oil lamps or sprinklers of Arabic essences.

This was the case for Lonno Lodge’s brass lamps, present in the exteriors and in some rooms, and that was the procedure we followed.

It was not easy to find a craftsman, but it was a pleasure to meet Nazir who from thin sheets of brass, with great care and bending, eventually embossed with a clever job of chasing to create unique objects.

His shop is in the old town of Mombasa.  If you go there to meet him, he will welcome you with a smile.