Watamu

Jonathan has a great life story to tell. He started as a gardener for the environmentalist Barbara Simpson in the Watamu region of Kenya.

Barbara Simpson saw great promise in Jonathan and supported him through college to become a guide. To this day Jonathan gives his thanks to Barbara Simpson for her support and, even though she died in 2002, he feels her presence in his work and knows that she is still supporting him. 

Jonathan works on many projects within the area including the ASSETS  which uses Barbara’s old Guesthouse as it base. The A  Rocha project is based there which supports environmental projects, is a key bird observatory and field study centre.  

The centre supports all kinds of work and also raises funds to support students through secondary education and through to supported career training.  

Jonathan has shown that Barbara’s support and faith in him was justified. He works tirelessly across the area. As a guide, he takes out groups to the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest which  is the largest remnant of a dry coastal forest; to Mida Creek; the Sabaki River Delta and many other areas.

He has a great  knowledge of the bird life in the region and shares this enthusiastically with all of his groups. He takes along a bid book to show the detail and a telescope on a tripod to get the best possible view of the wonderful colours. 

It does not stop there. Jonathan can show you insects to eat; the habitats of all kinds of creatures; knowledge of palm wine and  will help you to taste it;  the local church in Watamu and explain how they are helping the community to clean up the area making coasters and purses out of the discarded plastic which seems rife across Kenya and much more.

It was a privilege to meet Jonathan, a true gentleman who is putting back into his community and sharing his wonderful knowledge with anyone willing to go along on one of his walks. It really is worthwhile going along on Jonathan’s walks.