Laikipia
A long-forgotten tale of sorcery and a severed head
Laikipia Plateau, Kenya Our local chief Panta wore a government-issue khaki uniform with epaulettes, beret and swagger stick. On a…
For now, here in Laikipia we have the only population of black panthers in the world
Laikipia A female black panther was recently photographed at our neighbours’ place. Exactly like Kipling’s Bagheera, she was ‘inky…
How I rewilded the African bush
Laikipia My two Jersey bulls Halcyon and Hosanna were grazing happily on the lawn in front of the house…
Why Kenya matters
Laikipia Flying home across Laikipia’s ranchlands with Martin after a farmers’ meeting, I see the plateau dotted with cattle…
Wild life
Laikipia Ripping up the black cotton soil on the farm’s high savannah I get a sense of what it must…
The Kenyan night is like a busy shipping lane, but silent
Night falls like a fire curtain at seven and I go to bed not long afterwards, serenaded by bullfrogs after…
Why I dream of the Great Wall of China
Laikipia A quarter of a century ago I met two young South African men who had ridden their ponies 1,700…
The warrior arched his body, readying to sling his spear at my chest
Laikipia With a shriek, the warrior arched his body, readying to sling his spear at my chest. The tear-dropped javelin…
I cannot imagine living in a world without lions
Laikipia We are privileged to live with lions on the farm. We hear them most nights. We encounter them frequently.…
Jubilant greetings to you, Celestino! How is the atmospheric pressure in your corner?
Laikipia ‘I am old and cannot work again,’ said Celestino. ‘But you are 46 and we have many years to…
Aidan Hartley: If Santa Claus tried to make a delivery, he’d be shot before he reached the chimney
Laikipia In the cattle rustlers’ camp, I know as I write this that the warriors are sharpening their blades, staring…
Aidan Hartley: Kenya is special like no other African nation
As I write this, my hands are seared and bruised from holding a hot iron after branding our cattle. We…
Killing in Kenya: Aidan Hartley tracks the last steps of an elephant
Laikipia The bull elephant had roamed our northern marches of the Laikipia plateau for decades. I always recognised him…
