ELSAMERE CONSERVATION TRUST

This is the former home of Joy Adamson, famous for adopting a lioness cub, Elsa, after her husband was forced, in self-defense, to kill the mother... She was also famous as a writer and painter, and became a myth when she was murdered on January 3, 1980 (officially) by poachers in the Shaba Game Reserve. Her husband, Adam, suffered the same fate on August 20, 1989. Joy Adamson is the author of the best-selling novel Born Free, which tells the story of the lioness Elsa. The book, published in 1960, was adapted for the screen in 1966. From then on, Joy devoted herself entirely to the protection of wildlife in Kenya. She went on to write Living Free , which followed Elsa's story as the mother of three lion cubs, and Forever Free. All profits from sales are donated to the Elsa Wild Animal Appeal, which later became The Elsa Conservation Trust. A gifted naturalist and artist, Joy produced over 500 paintings and drawings of savannah animals in the course of a life dedicated entirely to her passion for nature. Elsamere - Joy's home on Lake Naivasha - belongs to the foundation. It has retained the marks of the history of these pioneers who invested so much in the protection of wildlife, and whose end was so brutal. The film The Joy Adamson Story is shown daily at 4pm. Afterwards, tea is served on the lovely terrace. On-site cottage accommodation available.