Saruni is the maasai adjective for the Provider or the Peacemaker, a mediator or one who brings people of different points of view together, which is probably one of the most apt descriptions of Leonard Saruni Kisemei. Saruni is a guide ever-ready to share his knowledge of both his natural and cultural heritage with persons from all sorts of diverse backgrounds. He was born Ol Donyo Orienga in the early 1980s and since an early age developed a keen interest in his surroundings whilst herding his father’s livestock. After leaving school, Saruni worked in a variety of jobs. However his deep interest in nature, great confidence in the bush, ability to make clients and guests feel immersed in the wilderness and easy charm prompted our lodge to offer this bright young man a full sponsorship to Koyiaki Guiding School. It’s the first and only school for professional safari guides, and Saruni graduated with distinction, also winning the title of the “best smile of the year”. Saruni was part of the very first team who assembled at the lodge site when the construction started, in September 2002. Since then he has been a casual worker, a trainee waiter, a waiter, the head of the waiters. Now, as professional guide, he spends most of the time in the bush, where he feels most at ease. The feedback from our guests is already very positive and Saruni is now the happiest young guide in the maasai Mara. His specialty? Teach our guests how to throw the spear and how to use bow and arrows.
