Why stay at a tourism eco-facility?

A stay at a conservancy further contributes to improving the lives of the indigenous and local communities providing them with an alternative source of income. Over 60% of the income from conservancies goes towards land lease fees or is invested in priority community projects designed to improve access to mainly health, water, and education.

Conservancies further create job opportunities in such marginalized areas, where jobs are scarce and poverty is above the national average.

****Suggestion for image: A scenic view of a conservancy with local community members engaged in activities.****

What's in it for your clients?

Your clients’ visit will have a low footprint in the uniquely designed, low volume, mostly eco-rated eco-camps.

By observing the conservancy regulations, their impact on the land is minimized and their safari has directly contributed to conserving the land through concessions and lease fees, preventing potential subdivision and conversion of land to wildlife conservation incompatible land uses.

****Suggestion for image: Tourists enjoying an eco-camp with minimal environmental impact.****

Unforgettable Conservancy Experiences

Conservancy rules allow managed access to ensure a close interaction and get the best photos without damaging the environment. The day or night drives, nature walks, bush meals, bicycle or motorcycle rides, horse or camel riding, community project visits, culture centers, and the culinary and friendship atmosphere ensure a visit is both rewarding and life-changing.

Additionally, conservancy-based sports is a growing area to look out for, marathons on wildlife-dotted plains and adrenaline-charged conservation events can form part of your safari itinerary.

****Suggestion for image: Tourists engaging in various conservancy activities like nature walks and bush meals.****

The Different Conservancies in Kenya

****Suggestion for image: A map of Kenya highlighting different conservancies.****

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Located at the foot of Mount Kenya and just a 50-minute flight from Nairobi, Lewa is known for its conservation of black rhinos. Lewa is also the only conservancy in Kenya that has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Wildlife to see:

• Black Rhinos
• White Rhinos
• Grevy's Zebra (Largest population of this species in the world)
• The Big Five

****Suggestion for image: Black rhinos and Grevy's zebras in their natural habitat.****

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta is located in Laikipia between the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. Proceeds from tourism activities and donations for the 90,000-acre conservancy go towards sustaining its conservation activities as well as funding projects that benefit local communities. Ol Pejeta boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary is also here, providing a haven for orphaned, abandoned, and rescued chimpanzees.

Wildlife to see:

• Chimpanzees (Only place in Kenya to see these great apes)
• Black Rhinos
• The Big Five
• Endangered African Wild Dog
• Oryx
• Grevy's Zebra

****Suggestion for image: Chimpanzees and black rhinos in their sanctuary.****

Ol Kinyei Conservancy

The 18,300-acre Ol Kinyei Conservancy in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem belongs to the Masai community, which set it aside for the purposes of wildlife conservation. The conservancy is known as a space of untouched wilderness with open savannah, rolling hills, springs, streams, and rivers. The local Masai (quite possibly the best guides in Kenya) offer morning, evening, and nighttime game drives as well as escorted walks within the conservancy with sundowners served at scenic points throughout.

Wildlife to see:

• Lions
• Leopards
• Cheetah
• Giraffe
• Cape Buffalo
• Elephants

****Suggestion for image: Masai guides leading a game drive with lions and giraffes in the background.****

Selenkay Conservancy

Just north of Amboseli National Park, the 15,000-acre Selenkay Conservancy has been established on lands leased from the local Masai to encourage wildlife conservation as an alternative to farming. Selenkay’s remote location allows local wildlife to roam freely, away from crowds of tourist vehicles. The conservancy offers morning, evening, and nighttime game drives, escorted walks with the Masai, and sundowners at various points throughout. There is also an opportunity to visit a local Masai village.

Wildlife to see:

• Thomson and Grant's Gazelles
• Lions
• Cheetahs
• Leopards
• Yellow Baboon

****Suggestion for image: Wildlife such as lions and cheetahs in the Selenkay Conservancy.****

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy—founded in the 1960s at the foot of Mount Kenya by late Hollywood actor William Holden and television personality Don Hunt—rescues and rehabilitates all wildlife that need help or have been injured.

Its success with the bongo is such that there are plans to release some of the captive-bred antelope into the Mount Kenya forests to bolster the current population of approximately 70. As at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, visitors to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy are given the opportunity to “adopt” a young animal and watch it develop before it is reintroduced into the bush.

Wildlife to see:

• Mountain Bongo
• Endangered Kenyan Antelope Species

Activities:

• Golfing
• Tennis
• Lawn Bowling
• Sportfishing
• Flyfishing
• Gliding in mountain streams
• Hiking and Climbing on Mount Kenya

****Suggestion for image: Mountain Bongo and other wildlife in the conservancy.****

Mara Naibosho Conservancy

Located northeast of the Masai Mara National Reserve and away from the tourist crowds is the private, 50,000-acre Mara Naboisho Conservancy. Comprised of land contributions from 500 Masai landowners, Mara Naboisho channels much of the fee for staying here back to the local Masai community. The non-profit Basecamp Foundation Kenya runs several community empowerment projects at the conservancy including training locals as guides, supporting local schools, improving access to healthcare and clean water, and empowering women.

Visitors here have the opportunity to visit traditional Masai manyattas and to experience a deeper connection with the community. The conservancy strictly monitors the number of tourists who enter, reducing human impact on the environment and wildlife.

Wildlife to see:

• Big Cats
• Elephants
• Giraffe
• Wildebeest
• Rare Species including Aardvark, Caracal, Serval Cat, Aardwolf, and Ratel
• Unique bird species: White-headed Buffalo Weavers and Pygmy Falcons

****Suggestion for image: Big cats and elephants in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy.****

Giraffe Manor

Set within 140 acres of indigenous forest and playing host to a resident herd of Rothschild's giraffe, Giraffe Manor offers an experience incomparable to any other. The building dates to the 1930s and is designed after a Scottish hunting lodge, creating a charming, yet opulent hideaway where animal lovers will cherish interacting with the giraffe and exploring the forest.

The ethos of Giraffe Manor is to be low impact, community, and conservation-oriented and to have a significant positive influence on the people and the surrounding environment.

Wildlife to see:

Rothschild's Giraffe (visible at the breakfast table or even the bedroom window)

Activities to do:

• Forest walks exploring the bird species and rare animals
• David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
• Karen Blixen Museum

****Suggestion for image: Rothschild's giraffes interacting with guests at Giraffe Manor.****

Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy

The critically endangered antelope species Hirola, which is found on the border between Kenya and Somalia, was central to the formation of the approximately 30-sq.-mile Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy in Garissa County, along the eastern bank of the Tana River. Despite its small size, the conservancy is a refuge and breeding ground for the hirola and with the Arawale National Reserve, it forms a major part of this endemic species’ habitat.

Wildlife to see:

• Albino Giraffe - The giraffe in this park is the only known white giraffe in the world
• Critically endangered Antelope species "Hirola"

****Suggestion for image: The unique albino giraffe and Hirola antelope in the conservancy.****

Olare Motorogi Conservancy

Olare Motorogi Conservancy is a partnership between 277 landowners and five tourism companies that include Porini Lion Camp, Kicheche Bush Camp, Mara Plains Camp, Olare Mara Kempinski, and Mahali Mzuri. The conservancy is managed by Olpurkel Ltd, a not-for-profit company, along with representatives from the Olare Motorogi Trust. Management has a policy of employing from its landowner community wherever possible, maximizing the benefits derived from conservation tourism.

Wildlife to see:

• Lions (highest density of lions per square mile in Africa)
• Big Cats
• Wildebeest
• Raptors (50 different species)

****Suggestion for image: Lions and other big cats in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy.****