In this year of our 20th birthday, we invite you to feel closer to our people, the backbone and the lifeforce of Asilia. Through this series of short blogs, we’ll introduce a cross-section of our people for their reflections on Asilia over the years and their thoughts on things to come.
Anderson Mwampashe
The Namiri Plains
In the eastern corner of the Serengeti National Park, sprawling short grass plains stretch away to the horizon. The few trees that are found here are clustered around spectacularly shaped granite kopjes that rise out of the ground like monoliths of a forgotten era. These grass lands are rich in nutrients, nourished by natural phosphates from volcanic activity millions of years ago, and sustained by a series of river systems running above and below ground. They attract an abundance of plains game, from the smallest Thompson’s to the mighty eland, drawn to the grazing and reliable water sources.
From the top of a kopje, a far-reaching view of the surrounding plains can be enjoyed. It’s no coincidence that lion are frequently seen basking atop these kopjes, enjoying the sun-warmed stone beneath them, with half an eye open, scanning the plains for any sign of movement. Lion are most active between sunset and sunrise, hunting under the cover of darkness, then resting and recovering during the day. The expansive short grass plains provide the perfect territory for cheetah, offering a hard terrain underfoot for stability in the chase combined with grassland cover for camouflage whilst stalking. Unlike lion, cheetah have relatively poor night vision capabilities, and are therefore more active during the daytime. Home to a staggering density of cheetah, and some of the Serengeti’s most famous lion coalitions, this truly is big cat country.
For 20 years, much of this area was closed to tourism, as Frankfurt Zoological Society conducted cheetah research to better understand these animals, their ranges, and how best to protect them. As the end of the research period approached, the opportunity for the creation of a tourism product in the area became available. Tanzania National Parks Authority would need an ethical tourism partner that could assist in the creation of road networks and the developing of a tourism offering without damaging the pristine ecosystem. Asilia was named that partner and Namiri Plains was founded, and to this day we proudly consider ourselves the original guardians of this remarkable wilderness area. Our guides have a deep connection and appreciation for the cats, identifying individuals with ease and showing genuine concern when any one member has gone unsighted for a period of time.
“Anderson shouted through his binoculars “RASTAAA” – equal parts excited and relieved, all too evident how much the lion meant to him.” – Wild and Free, by Harry Skeggs
As the fame of this big cat country spread, so wildlife photographers and filmmakers increasingly arrived in search of documenting the powerful lion coalitions and cheetah families of Namiri. All Asilia safari guides go through rigorous annual training, advancing through levels of seniority and experience, and Namiri Plains, as a Reserve Tier property, features some of Asilia’s very best. However, one guide in particular has made a name for himself as the “go-to” guide for photo safaris.
“My interest in photography started a few years ago. I had been using my phone for pictures, but I wanted better results. I started paying more attention to my guests that had camera’s, noting what they asked for in terms of angles, light, and vehicle positioning.” – Anderson
The photography guide
Anderson started with Asilia in 2017. He had friends working in the tourism industry and took inspiration from their success. His application with Asilia was successful and, after completing the initial training process, he started as a Butler at Sayari Camp in the northern Serengeti. By 2019 he had his sights set on becoming a safari guide. He applied to join the Asilia guide training program and was accepted, but as training was about to begin, the world was turned on its head by a global pandemic, forcing an immediate hold on any new staff positions as the company fought to retain as many existing staff as possible. Anderson’s guiding ambitions were placed on temporary hold for another year, but he qualified in 2021 and started his new path at Namiri Plains. The guiding position increased his exposure to wildlife and the beauty of nature, developing his interest in improving his ability to capture it and shaping his skills as a photographic guide.
“Critically, no photographer is complete without an excellent guide, and we were fortunate to have the best of the best in the form of Anderson Kayle, whose expertise and knowledge greatly enhanced our chances of locating and observing the elusive golden boys.” – Harry Skeggs
“To become a good photography guide takes patience and a willingness to learn. Paying close attention to other photographers and asking them questions about their process is how I learnt new skills.” Anderson has worked hard, exercised patience, and gleaned every morsal of information possible from professional photographers he has had the opportunity to work alongside. This has paid off, as he is not only an accomplished photographer himself, but is frequently requested by wildlife photographers coming to Namiri Plains intent on capturing images of big cats. However, despite the sharp focus on photography, Anderson is clear on the role he plays within Asilia. “At Asilia, I am part of a team dedicated to protecting biodiversity while promoting the well-being of local communities. This role enables me to contribute to projects that not only safeguard habitats but also educate and empower people to coexist with wildlife. Ultimately, Asilia’s legacy will be its role in creating a model where conservation and community development go hand in hand, inspiring future generations to prioritize both.”
“Having worked with dozens of guides, if not hundreds over the years, I can safely say Anderson’s passion for photography is unrivalled. We’ve racked up many hours together on safari now and he’s helped me capture the strongest big cat images I’ve ever taken, all of which comes down to his understanding of the subjects and the area. His ability to predict what the animal might do ensures we are usually always in the right place at the right time, and I’ve learnt not to second guess him and just go with plan A.” Will Fortescue
Anderson is ready to show you the big cats of Namiri Plains.
