There are countless reasons people return to Asilia. The wildlife. The landscapes. The moments that leave you speechless. But ask many guests what they remember most, and the answer is surprisingly simple. The people.
Behind every unforgettable safari is someone whose own story is just as remarkable as the ones they tell around the campfire. The quiet stories, the ones that unfold over years, carried by the people who call Asilia home. Dickson Lenkoko’s journey is one of them.
Every Story Starts Somewhere
Lenkoko didn’t arrive as an Assistant Head Guide or an Asilia Fundi. Like so many across Asilia, he began with curiosity, a willingness to learn and people who believed in him. In the early days of Naboisho Camp, while its makuti-thatched roofs were still taking shape, Lenkoko was one of the hands helping to build them. Already a qualified bronze guide, he joined Asilia on what was meant to be a 3-month temporary position, but sometimes the best journeys begin when the plan changes. When the work was done, Lenkoko was offered a permanent position as a Junior Guide.
“It was an exciting time,” he remembers. “Asilia was still a very new company in Kenya, but you could already see its potential. The camps were busy, the company was growing, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”
That excitement fuelled his ambition. As soon as he was eligible, Lenkoko sat for his Silver Guide qualification, determined to deepen his knowledge and continue growing alongside the company.
The Making of a Safari Fundi
Among Asilia guides, there are few recognitions held in higher regard than becoming a Safari Fundi. In Swahili, fundi means a specialist or craftsman, someone who has mastered their trade. For Asilia, it represents far more than knowledge of wildlife. A Safari Fundi is a storyteller, a host, a photographer and an exceptional guide, someone who brings an extra layer of magic to every safari.
Having qualified as a Silver Guide in 2012, the foundations for Lenkoko’s transition to Safari Fundi were laid at Mara Bush Houses. Here he was immersed in a more intimate style of guiding, where he was encouraged to host guests, lead walks around camp and work alongside experienced guides who also supported camp management. It was an environment that challenged him to think beyond guiding alone and helped shape the skills that would earn him recognition as a Safari Fundi.
Ever-growing, Lenkoko went on to lead the guiding team at Rekero, before stepping into management when the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic called for extra support. His obvious potential led to his enrolment in the Assistant Manager training programme in Tanzania, followed by a year working across Asilia’s camps in Kenya to build on that experience. “I had a year of exposure across all the Kenya camps to solidify the training,” Lenkoko says. “It was challenging, but new roles and new opportunities are always exciting. I learnt a lot, and I’m so glad to now be part of the leadership team at Naboisho.”
Stories That Stay With Us
Whether over dinner, by the campfire or out on safari, you might find Lenkoko sharing one of the many stories he’s gathered throughout his years in the bush.
“I’d barely driven a few meters from camp one morning when I came across a huge puff adder stretched across the road,” Lenkoko recalls. “At first, something didn’t look quite right. The front of the snake looked so unusual that I almost couldn’t identify it. Then I realised what I was seeing, the snake was regurgitating a Greater Galago! It was one of the rarest sightings I’ve ever had. A ‘wow’ moment for sure.”
It’s the moments that no guide can predict, and no guest could ever plan for, that remind us why every day on safari is a story waiting to unfold.
Onto the Next Chapter
After all he has achieved, Lenkoko’s journey is far from over. During his Assistant Manager training, another opportunity presented itself: the chance to train as a walking guide.
“As a senior guide, I really wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone,” he says. “I saw the opportunity to become a walking guide as a huge achievement for me.”
Since then, he has returned to complete further walking guide training, developing his skills in everything from rifle handling and dangerous game encounters to learning alongside some of Asilia’s most experienced walking guides.
“For me, learning never stops. My goal is to continue developing my walking skills until I’m fully qualified. My dream is to become one of Kenya’s Gold Guides, and that is what I’m currently working towards. I’m also looking forward to growing into my position as a Head Guide, where I can do more mentoring and share my knowledge with the young, future guides coming through.”
After years of hard work, patience and dedication, Naboisho is incredibly proud to have Lenkoko as part of our team of Lead Walking Guides. He has shown the true breadth of his knowledge and worked tirelessly to achieve such an advanced qualification.
And so, Lenkoko’s story continues, with each new challenge, opportunity and achievement adding another chapter to his journey. It is far from finished.
Lenkoko’s story isn’t remarkable because it is unique. It is remarkable because it is shared. Across Asilia there are countless people whose journeys began with a single opportunity and quietly unfolded into careers, friendships and lives devoted to the wild. Together, they are the heartbeat of Asilia. A heartbeat that draws people back, not only to places, but to the people who make them feel like they’ve come home.
Where will your journey take you?
