Location:
Lorbetera conservancy is located 23 km on the eastern side of Maili Tisa town centre along the Nairobi Namanga highway in the Matapato South rangelands of Kajiado Central.
Introduction
Lorbetera conservancy is a community-owned conservancy that was started in the year 2021 by a number of landowners. It is approximately 15579.67 Hectares of land. These landowners agreed to use their parcels of land to conserve wildlife alongside pastoralism, farming, and other activities. The idea of conservation hit the heart of the community when they figured out that wildlife is a resource and that through conservation, important projects could be achieved. The conservancy leaders are mobilizing more community members to join this wave as it would benefit them.
Conservation Philosophy
We believe that providing a good environment for coexistence between wildlife and the locals will increase wildlife, thus attracting tourists to the conservancy and making it a tourist destination.
Conservancy Objectives
- Promote coexistence between wildlife and the community.
- Support locals that are affected by wildlife.
- Collaborate with institutions and organizations that support wildlife conservation.
- Introduce wildlife clubs in learning institutions in the conservancy.
Physical Features
Vegetation
The conservancy is found in a savannah grassland ecosystem but has a few hills with mountain vegetation. The conservancy has a number of tree species too.
Seasonal Rivers
The conservancy has two seasonal small rivers: Noosikitok River and Eng’amata Olchoni River.
Hills
Lorbetera conservancy has several hills. One of the famous ones is Lorbetera, named after the conservancy. It is called Lolbetera because of a flag (Bendera in Swahili), which was installed on top of the hill by the British army to mark their colonial territory during the colonial period. The presence of the iron post to date on the hilltop carries a huge colonial history. Other hills include; Lolbuko, Nooriro, Olooldupa, Emaoi, Emowuo Olchani, Ole Tumuke, and Oloton Openy.
Sources of Water
The conservancy gets its water for human consumption mainly from boreholes, which are either community or privately owned. These include; Eluanata, Emashini, Namelok, Nooriro community borehole, and one privately owned, Oltinka lole Nempusel. Wildlife and livestock get their water from a few earth dams that are found in the conservancy and are only dependable during the wet seasons.
Institutions in the Conservancy
Learning Institutions
The conservancy has four main primary schools, including; Ole Tumuke, Namelok, Eluanata, and Emaoi Mission Primary School. It also has several feeder schools.
Health Centres
Eluanata health centre is the only dispensary found in Lorbetera conservancy.
Roads and Network Coverage
Lorbetera conservancy doesn’t have a well-established road network; however, it is connected to the main road by a marram road. The conservancy has good network coverage available in the entire area covered by the conservancy.
Climate
Lorbetera conservancy receives an average rain of between 500 to 800 mm per year. The conservancy receives its short rains between the months of September and December and its long rains between the months of March and June.
Scenic Features
Lorbetera conservancy has several hills that are good for hiking activities. Some of the hills, like Lolbetera, carry a huge colonial history. The conservancy has many wildlife species and birds within it.