”"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." – African Proverb
This wisdom has guided our journey at Saruni Basecamp, where we’ve discovered that true conservation isn’t measured in protected acres alone, but in the strength of community partnerships that sustain them. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a milestone that embodies this collaborative spirit. By becoming The Long Run‘s first-ever Group Member, we are expanding our commitment to sustainable tourism across all 13 of our properties in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Samburu regions.
A Journey of Growth and Purpose
Having first joined The Long Run in 2020 with four properties, we’re now bringing our entire portfolio under their respected framework of the 4Cs – Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. This milestone represents more than growth; it reflects our deepening commitment to a vision where tourism serves as a powerful force for positive change.
“This is what responsible tourism looks like,” shares our CEO, Jeremiah Mutisya, “Where success is measured by both exceptional guest experiences and lasting positive impact on communities and ecosystems.”
Our approach transforms the traditional notion of safari tourism into something deeper – experiences that not only create lasting memories for travellers but also contribute meaningfully to the preservation of Kenya’s wild ecosystems and the prosperity of its indigenous communities. The results speak for themselves: thriving wildlife populations, including the restoration of endangered species, improved land management, and strengthened local economies.
What is The Long Run?
For travellers seeking safari experiences that genuinely support local communities and protect the vast wildlife habitats, The Long Run stands as a beacon of integrity in the tourism industry. This membership organization supports a global community of purpose-driven tourism businesses committed to using travel as a force for good.
The Long Run’s approach centers on its innovative 4Cs framework – Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce – which integrates sustainable and regenerative practices into every aspect of a travel business. This isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level sustainability; it’s about fundamental transformation that creates lasting positive impact. Their rigorous standards ensure that member properties aren’t just minimizing harm – they’re actively regenerating landscapes and strengthening communities. As a traveller, when you see The Long Run affiliation, you can trust that your experience supports genuine conservation efforts verified by experts, not merely marketing claims.
What Our Group Membership Means
Becoming The Long Run’s first Group Member marks a significant milestone not just for Saruni Basecamp, but for sustainable tourism in Kenya. This recognition means that all 13 of our properties now meet The Long Run’s exacting standards across the 4Cs framework:
Our properties actively protect biodiversity, implement climate action initiatives, and practice responsible environmental management across 1.2 million acres of vital ecosystems.
We’re committed to employee well-being, ethical employment practices, sustainable development, and meaningful community engagement that creates lasting prosperity.
Our experiences celebrate cultural diversity, preserve heritage, and facilitate ethical cultural exchange between travellers and indigenous communities.
We maintain responsible business practices, build long-term resilience, directly fund conservation initiatives, and support community and cultural projects through our operations.
This membership encompasses our entire family of destinations across six precious conservation areas:
- Saruni Samburu and Basecamp Samburu perched within the wildlife-rich Kalama Conservancy;
- Saruni Rhino in the pioneering Sera Conservancy;
- Saruni Mara and Basecamp Mara Houses nestled in Mara North Conservancy;
- Saruni Wild in the secluded Lemek Conservancy;
- Basecamp Masai Mara and Basecamp Adventure along the Talek River;
- Basecamp Hill Top overlooking Pardamat Conservation Area; and our
- Naboisho Conservancy gems including Saruni Leopard Hill, Saruni Eagle View, Basecamp Dorobo Mobile, and Basecamp Wilderness.
As Long Run members, we are connected to a global network of conservation leaders and sustainability experts– providing ongoing support, knowledge exchange, and inspiration that will help us continuously improve our positive impact. For our guests, it means your stay contributes to a verified, transparent approach to conservation that meets the highest global standards.
Creating Shared Value Through Meaningful Partnerships
When you choose to stay with us, your visit creates waves of positive impact that extend far beyond your experience:
- In 2024, conservation fees and land leases to indigenous communities increased by 40% to $2.6 million, providing sustainable revenue streams to over 6000 indigenous landowners from the Maasai and Samburu communities
- 86% of our non-management personnel come from indigenous communities, making conservation a major employer and economic driver
- Through the Basecamp Maasai Brand, local women artisans have achieved a 74% increase in sales, generating over $80,000 in income while preserving cultural heritage
- Our local sourcing initiatives have more than doubled community purchases from $78,883 to $178,351 in just one year
A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of our operations:
- A remarkable 96% waste recycling rate across our properties
- Reforestation initiatives that have seen 206 indigenous trees donated to communities and 2,669 saplings planted by guests in 2024 (a 167% increase from 2023)
- Educational programs like Edu-Care and Saruni Basecamp Academy that are developing the next generation of conservation leaders from within communities
The Road Ahead
As a Group Member of The Long Run, we’re not resting on our achievements but embracing a journey of continuous improvement. The membership provides us with comprehensive technical and strategic sustainability support from a team of data, conservation, and social scientists. Regular impact reporting helps us assess and communicate our progress transparently, while access to The Long Run’s global network opens doors to new collaborative opportunities.
As we move forward, we invite you to be part of this journey. When you choose Saruni Basecamp, you’re not just selecting accommodations – you’re joining a global movement that believes travel can and should be a powerful force for protecting our planet’s most precious ecosystems and supporting the communities who safeguard them.
”This is travel with purpose – where every encounter with wildlife, and every connection with local communities contributes to a future where people and nature thrive together.
All data referenced in this article has been thoughtfully sourced from our Saruni Basecamp 2024 Impact Report, reflecting our ongoing commitment to transparency and our journey of positive change across the landscapes and communities we cherish.
Saruni Basecamp operates within six community-owned wildlife conservancies across Kenya, offering pioneering, ethical safari experiences deeply rooted in community-based conservation. Our business model demonstrates how tourism can directly empower environmental protection rather than simply coexist with it. As The Long Run’s first Group Member, all 13 of our properties now meet rigorous standards across Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce.
