Ecotourism in Kenya

Topic: Ecotourism Location: Mara region, Kenya Organizers: Maasai communities, Government of Norway Project: An ecotourism foundation, with the financial support of the Norwegian government, partnered with local Maasai communities in the Mara region of Kenya to establish a wildlife conservancy area within Maasai land. 500 Maasai landowners agreed to set aside part of their land to create a 20,000 ha. conservancy area from which the landowners receive monthly rent income for 15 years. The project is expected to help rural communities economically and maintain the areas’ cultural and natural heritage.

The conservancy includes five eco-camps operating under Kenya’s ecotourism regulations. These camps are estimated to have created 200 jobs for guides, camp staff, scouts, research teams, community outreach personnel, project officers and managers among others. There are also volunteer-based animal monitoring groups. Within the conservancy there is a community guiding school. At the time the school opened, it was the only school of its kind in Eastern Africa. The foundation is responsible for steering the school towards a level of academic excellence.

Source: The International Ecotourism Society 2010 Innovation Award Finalist: http://www.yourtravelchoice.org/2010/08/2010-innovation-award-finalist-basecamp-explorer/