The final month of 2024 was a further testament to our ongoing commitment to conservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism practices. 

Educate

Our collaboration with Children in the Wilderness (CITW) continues to be the cornerstone of our Educate impact pillar. The year’s highlight was undoubtedly the Eco Camp we hosted at Governors’ Private Camp, providing an immersive experience for thirty Mara Rianda Eco Club students. This initiative, captured beautifully in a video by Dan Palmer, fostered a deep appreciation for the natural world and instilled the importance of conservation. 

The CITW Eco Camp held in the Masai Mara was a great success – photo credit Alisa Karstad

Since launching the CITW programme in July, our Eco Club students at the TAFA Community Center in Naivasha have continuously demonstrated remarkable dedication to their lessons. Over the school holidays, they continued to engage in many classes focused on environmental stewardship and conducted a clean-up event within the village.

TAFA EcoClub students took part in lessons during the holiday – photo credit TAFA Community Center

Empower

We recognise the importance of community well-being and extend our support to the TAFA community through several other initiatives. During the festive season, we provided essential food supplies to 200 children, ensuring a brighter Christmas for them and their vulnerable families. 

Basic food supplies were provided to 200 children on Christmas Eve – photo credit TAFA Community Center.

Furthermore, we proudly sponsored the Center’s end-of-year sports day tournament, promoting physical activity and fostering healthy competition among the youth. 

Governors’ are proud to support the impactful work of the TAFA Community Center – photo credit TAFA

We extend our sincere gratitude to some of our guests whose generous contributions enabled the much-needed renovation of the bathroom facilities at Mara Rianda Primary School. This project significantly improved the hygiene and sanitation conditions for students. 

The Mara Rianda School bathroom blocks before the repair works

The bathroom blocks after the repairs

Protect

Our commitment to wildlife conservation is reflected in our long-running support of the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust. Our financial contribution of over KES 2,400,000 to date has directly facilitated the care of 60-70 rescued birds each month by providing 12 tons of high-quality meat. 

Director and Founder of the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust, Shiv Kapila – photo credit Alisa Karstad

World Cheetah Day provided a platform to raise awareness among our guests and followers about the challenges facing this endangered species. We must emphasise the importance of booking safaris with responsible tourism operators and supporting organisations like the Mara-Meru Cheetah Project and the Mara Predator Conservation Program. 

A cheetah in the Masai Mara – photo credit Felix Rome

Led by interning Impact Officer, David Pesi, our on-the-ground conservation efforts included an initiative to remove the invasive weed, Datura stramonium, from more than 12 kilometres of roadsides surrounding our camps. 

Removal of Datura stramonium from roadsides in the Masai Mara – photo credit David Pesi

David also oversaw the re-planting of our butterfly garden at Governors’ Camp. This small garden is a haven for numerous butterfly species, particularly the vibrant swallowtails.

A noble swallowtail (Papilio nobilis) in the butterfly garden at Governors’ Camp – photo credit Alisa Karstad

A narrow-banded blue swallowtail (Papilio nireus) in the butterfly garden at Governors’ Camp – photo credit Alisa Karstad

Investing in Sustainability 

We remain dedicated to sustainable tourism. Each month we make substantial financial contributions towards rent, park fees, and community levies in each of the areas in which we operate. These contributions are essential for protecting the environment, conserving wildlife, and supporting local communities.

A community member living on the outskirts of Mugie Conservancy – photo credit Alisa Karstad

A rare Ayres’s hawk-eagle nesting in the Eburru Forest – photo credit Alisa Karstad

Looking Ahead 

As we embark into 2025, Governors’ Camp Collection is driven by a vision of responsible tourism that fosters environmental stewardship and community empowerment. We will continue to champion conservation education, protect wildlife, and support local communities, ensuring a sustainable future for the remarkable landscapes and cultural heritage that define our operation. 

Empowering local communities is vital – photo credit Alisa Karstad

Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts, positively impacting the people and the land. 

By Alisa Karstad, Impact Manager for Governors’ Camp Collection. If you would like to learn more about any of our Community and Conservation efforts, you can reach out to us via email at info@governorscamp.com

If you’d like to support our work, you can use our secure online payment platform, which is linked below.

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