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Projects

Saruni Basecamp operates a portfolio of 12 camps and lodges situated in the pristine landscapes of the Masai Mara and Samburu regions. Spanning over a million acres, these properties are strategically located within 5 community-owned conservancies which we support, embodying our commitment to conservation and community empowerment. To put this into perspective, the land we lease, co-lease, and protect surpasses the territories of Denmark, Croatia, and even Rhode Island in the USA.

In many instances, Saruni Basecamp has been instrumental in establishing community conservancies, providing support during their establishment stages. We’ve also played a pivotal role as founding partners in several conservancies, such as Lemek and Mara Naboisho Conservancies. For example, Lemek, covering 17,000 acres with over 450 landowners, stands as a testament to our commitment to community-driven conservation efforts.

Indeed, sustainable tourism plays a vital role in directly supporting conservation initiatives. From the Conservancies, through lease fees paid to community landowners and conservation fees from park visits, Saruni Basecamp injects significant financial support into these regions. Annually, we contribute USD 1.1 million in conservation fees alone, ensuring tangible benefits for the communities involved. This financial support underscores the value of preserving land and wildlife compared to alternative land uses like agriculture.

In collaboration with organizations like the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, we continue to champion sustainable initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and supporting local communities. Overall, Saruni Basecamp’s projects have generated over $1.5 million for communities, benefiting 6,605 landowners and conserving 414,232 hectares of land.

At Saruni Basecamp, our commitment extends beyond environmental conservation to socioeconomic empowerment. With an unwavering focus on local empowerment, our team comprises 100% Kenyan nationals, with 86% hailing from the Samburu and Maasai communities. By prioritizing local employment, we not only enrich guest experiences but also uplift regional economies.

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Saruni Basecamp Brand pattern half red top

$3,964,846.00

Projects that inspire

Saruni Basecamp generated a total income for the communities of US$ $3,964,846.00, including land lease fees, variable bed nights fees, and conservation fees. This income benefitted 6,605 landowners in the Maasai and Samburu communities, spread over 414,232 hectares of land. The Basecamp Maasai Brand benefitted 250 women from the beads sale, and a further 100 women directly supplied our shops at Mara North Conservancy.

Community: Livelihoods at a Glance

2023 Community Livelihoods Income Distribution

6,605

Landowners

Conservation Fees – 2,294,866

250

BMB Women

Bead work sales – 47,158

$422,724

Bed Nights Fees

Bed night fees – 368,890

$855,161

Lease Fees

Lease fees – 1,168,253

Environment

Biodiversity

Committed to conservation, we’ve leased 414,232 ha (~ 1.2 Million acres), which constitutes 1% of Kenya’s total land and 7% of the protected land in our regions of operation. This is home to five endangered species: the reticulated giraffe, greys zebra, beisa oryx, gerenuk and wild dog.

As of September, we’ve recorded 4733 plants, 643 birds, 50 mammals and 65 reptiles and amphibian species in the different conservancies. Our conservancy model had effectively established a haven for these plants and wildlife. In 2023 alone to support the conservancies, we collected US$1,168,253 in conservation fees, showing remarkable growth from the $184,335 collected in 2022.

4733

Plants

643

Birds

50

Mammals

65

Reptiles and Amphibians