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| These lovely accommodations were built by Campbell and Judith Bridges in the early 1970's, mostly to avoid the elephants, lions and other wildlife that often wander into camp. They lived in the tree-house for five years while they mined the first Tsavorite deposits in Kenya. This tree-house has seen many visitors, including Dr. Paul Ruppenthal, Prof. Edward Gubelin and Dr. Peter Keller. There was also an uninvited guest; a large male leopard decided that the tree-house was an ideal dining room and would often drag his meals into the bedroom. |
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| Campbell Bridges has a meeting with the camp security (askaris). Security is one of the biggest challenges in gemstone mining. Armed with clubs, spears, bows and arrows, the askaris hope to fend off roving bands of thieves (zurura) and dangerous animals. Not all animals are dangerous; as you can see, Friday, the impala doe, is the camp mascot. |
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| Campbell Bridges feeds Friday, the camp mascot. We found this beautiful female impala in need of help after her mother, having just given birth, was chased off by predators. As we removed the birthing sac, she identified us as her family. We nursed Friday to full health by feeding her goat's milk and an endless supply of cookies. She has now been weaned from milk but still enjoys Hobbs No. 4 cookies. |
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| One of the early steps in developing a gemstone mine is locating the gem bearing reef. By digging one meter square pits in a checkerboard pattern, then sieving and washing the gravels from each pit, you can determine where the reef is likely to occur. It is a tedious process but it is absolutely necessary in locating the Tsavorite reef. You can literally miss a reef by six inches. |