Did you know that there are now fewer wild lions in the world than rhinoceros? One of our key projects in Kenya is to help save the lions.
Please support the Hatters Explorer Scout Unit as we look to support vital work to preserve wildlife in Kenya, improve the livelihoods of communities in Maasai Conservancy areas and deliver a once in a life time opportunity for 55 young people. In the summer of 2026, the Hatters are going to Kenya, we’ll be staying in Maasai Conservancy areas, volunteering with the local community, scientists and conservationists. We’re getting stuck into a range of projects, all with a focus on wildlife, education, and easing tensions between humans and animals. Please help our fantastic young people to get themselves there and to make a difference.
This is going to be a once in a lifetime and life-changing opportunity for our young people and an opportunity to deliver meaningful results. Whether we are setting camera traps in the bush to record movements of big cats, supporting education programmes to protect rare birds, painting eyes on the backside of cattle (yes, really, for good reason) or collecting evidence for scientists, we’ll be making a difference and getting close to some of the most beautiful wildlife anywhere.
Our main project focuses on lions. Lions have become tempted by easy hunting of domesticated cattle in areas surrounding the national park, the result is lions being hunted and their population dwindling. We will be supporting scientists with research on lion movements by setting camera traps and tracking lion movements. The most eye-catching (pun very much intended) work will focus on protecting cattle. Lions wait for their prey to turn away from them before they attack. We will be using stencils to paint eyes on the cattle’s bottoms to give the illusion that eyes are on the lions as they stalk them. This has been trialled with good affect elsewhere.
Voluntary Activities:
> Setting camera traps in the bush to record movements of lions.
> Supporting education programmes to protect rare birds.
> Painting eyes on the backside of cattle (yes, really, for good reason).
> Collecting evidence for scientists protecting the wildlife and interests of the Maasai community.
Each person (including adult volunteers) have to raise £3,000 each to get us all out to Kenya.
Who we are
Our Explorer Unit draws members from across North London and provides high-quality, adventurous Scouting experiences for young people aged 14–18 form a range backgrounds ensuring that nobody misses out, whatever their circumstances.
About the Hatters – The Hatters Explorer Scout Unit
Upcoming Fundraising Events
Donate
Hatters ESU Kenya Expedition 2026 – Saving Lions and Changing Lives – JustGiving
To donate via any other means, please contact our Explorer Leader, Dan, by emailing fundraising.explorers@gmail.com
Why?
This expedition isn’t just a tour — it’s hands-on conservation work that helps protect endangered wildlife and supports local communities. We are painting eyes on cattle to warn off predators (really!), setting cameras for big cats, tracking herbivores, planting trees, giving time at Elsamere Conservation Centre, and living among the Massai in camp.
We are supporting scientists in the Ol Chorro Conservancy within the Massai Conservancy areas in the North of the National Park to gather critical data, educate local communities, work with local communities and to implement strategies that reduce the conflict between humans and animals. Did you know that there are fewer lions in the wild than rhinoceros? This is partly down to this conflict in areas where national parks meet farming communities.
Our main project focuses on lions and the conflict between the amazing animals that live in the areas surrounding national parks and the communities of people sharing the same space. Warrior Watch: Protecting Kenya’s Lions | Explorers in the Field
In addition to making a huge contribution to these conservation efforts, this is all about giving our young people a significant challenge that will broaden their horizons and make them the kind of leaders and contributors in our community that only experiences like this can support. Hikes are on Mt. Kenya and Mt. Longonot will test the young people’s resilience and determination. The terrain is rough, the environment harsh and both the elevation (3,300m) and heat will add greater challenge.
We have a proven track record
Check out our other expeditions and development work!
You will find our other expedition videos here Hatters ESU – YouTube
Read about our Peru Expedition Peru – The Hatters Explorer Scout Unit
Read about our Himalaya Expedition (India) Himalaya Expedition 2023 – The Hatters Explorer Scout Unit